It’s been long, hard-fought season for the 32 teams of the National Hockey League (NHL), and for half of them, it will soon come to an end with the conclusion regular season. For the top 16, however, there’s bonus hockey in the cards: the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
Here’s your guide to catching all of the NHL playoffs action, plus a look at how the field of contenders is shaping up.
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When Do the NHL Playoffs Start?
The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 19, 2025, following the end of the 2024-25 NHL regular season on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
The latest possible day the playoffs will end is June 23, 2025.
How to Watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs
You can catch every post-ringing, glove-slinging, board-crashing moment of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on DIRECTV on the following networks:
- REGIONAL SPORTS LINEUP (Check local listings)
- TNT – Channel 245
- ESPN – Channel 206
- ABC – Find your local ABC affiliate channel here
- NHL Network – Channel 215
- NHL Center Ice (Satellite customers only)
2025 NHL Playoff TV Schedule
Find the first round TV schedule right here:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa Senators (WC1) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (1A)
Toronto leads series 2-0
Game 1:Maple Leafs (6) vs. Senators (2)
Game 2:Maple Leafs (3) vs. Senators (2) (OT)
Game 3: Maple Leafs at Senators — Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2
Game 4: Maple Leafs at Senators — Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX
Game 5: Senators at Maple Leafs — Tuesday, April 29 | Time TBD
Game 6: Maple Leafs at Senators — Thursday, May 1 | Time TBD if necessary
Game 7: Senators at Maple Leafs — Saturday, May 3 | Time TBD if necessary
Florida Panthers (3A) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (2A)
Florida leads series 1-0
Game 1: Panthers (6) vs. Lightning (2)
Game 2: Panthers at Lightning — Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS
Game 3: Lightning at Panthers — Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS
Game 4: Lightning at Panthers — Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. ET | ESPN, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS
Game 5: Panthers at Lightning — Wednesday, April 30 | Time TBD
Game 6: Lightning at Panthers — Friday, May 2 | Time TBD if necessary
Game 7: Panthers at Lightning — Sunday, May 4 | Time TBD if necessary
* If necessary
Montreal Canadiens (WC2) vs. Washington Capitals (1M)
Washington leads series 1-0
Game 1: Capitals (3), Canadiens (2) (OT)
Game 2: Canadiens at Capitals — Wednesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. ET | ESPN, MNMT
Game 3: Capitals at Canadiens — Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. ET | TNT, truTV, MAX, MNMT
Game 4: Capitals at Canadiens — Sunday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, MNMT
Game 5: Canadiens at Capitals — Wednesday, April 30 | Time TBD
Game 6: Capitals at Canadiens — Friday, May 2 | Time TBD if necessary
Game 7: Canadiens at Capitals — Sunday, May 4 | Time TBD if necessary
* If necessary
New Jersey Devils (3M) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (2M)
Carolina leads series 2-0
Game 1: Hurricanes (4) vs. Devils (1)
Game 2: Hurricanes (3) vs. Devils (1)
Game 3: Hurricanes at Devils — Friday, April 25 at 8 p.m. ET | TBS, MAX, FDSNSO, MSGSN
Game 4: Hurricanes at Devils — Sunday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNSO, MSGSN
Game 5: Devils at Hurricanes — Tuesday, April 29 | Time TBD
Game 6: Hurricanes at Devils — Friday, May 2 | Time TBD if necessary
Game 7: Devils at Hurricanes — Sunday, May 4 | Time TBD if necessary
* If necessary
WESTERN CONFERENCE
St. Louis Blues (WC2) vs. Winnipeg Jets (1C)
Winnipeg leads series 2-0
Game 1: Jets (5) vs. Blues (3)
Game 2: Jets (2) vs. Blues (1)
Game 3: Jets at Blues — Thursday, April 24 at 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2, FDSNSW
Game 4: Jets at Blues — Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNMW
Game 5: Blues at Jets — Wednesday, April 30 | Time TBD
Game 6: Jets at Blues — Friday, May 2 | Time TBD if necessary
Game 7: Blues at Jets — Sunday, May 4 | Time TBD if necessary
* If necessary
Colorado Avalanche (3C) vs. Dallas Stars (2C)
Series tied 1-1
Game 1: Avalanche (5) vs. Stars (1)
Game 2: Stars (4) vs. Avalanche (3) (OT)
Game 3: Stars at Avalanche — Wednesday, April 23 at 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN, Victory+, ALT
Game 4: Stars at Avalanche — Saturday, April 26 at 9:30 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, Victory+, ALT
Game 5: Avalanche at Stars — Monday, April 28 at 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN, Victory+, ALT
Game 6: Stars at Avalanche — Thursday, May 1 | Time TBD if necessary
Game 7: Avalanche at Stars — Saturday, May 3 | Time TBD if necessary
* If necessary
Minnesota Wild (WC1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (1P)
Series tied 1-1
Game 1: Golden Knights (4) vs. Wild (2)
Game 2: Wild (5) vs. Golden Knights (2)
Game 3: Golden Knights at Wild — Thursday, April 24 at 9 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS
Game 4: Golden Knights at Wild — Saturday, April 26 at 4 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS
Game 5: Wild at Golden Knights — Tuesday, April 29 | Time TBD
Game 6: Golden Knights at Wild — Thursday, May 1 | Time TBD if necessary
Game 7: Wild at Golden Knights — Saturday, May 3 | Time TBD if necessary
* If necessary
Edmonton Oilers (3P) vs. Los Angeles Kings (2P)
Los Angeles leads series 1-0
Game 1: Kings (6), Oilers (5)
Game 2: Oilers at Kings — Wednesday, April 23 at 10 p.m. ET | TBS, MAX, FDSNW
Game 3: Kings at Oilers — Friday, April 25 at 10 p.m. ET | TNT, truTV, MAX, FDSNW
Game 4: Kings at Oilers — Sunday, April 27 at 9:30 p.m. ET | TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNW
Game 5: Oilers at Kings — Tuesday, April 29 | Time TBD
Game 6: Kings at Oilers — Thursday, May 1 | Time TBD if necessary
Game 7: Oilers at Kings — Saturday, May 3 | Time TBD if necessary
* If necessary
2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
The 2025 NHL Playoffs bracket is locked in. Here are each of the matchups we’ll see this post-season.
Eastern Conference Playoff Bracket
Toronto Maple Leafs (Atlantic 1) vs. Ottawa Senators (Wild Card 1)
The Ottawa Senators have clinched their first playoff spot since 2017. They’ll face a Toronto team that they swept 3-0 in their regular season series. Toronto has historically trounced Ottawa, in the playoffs, but the last time the two teams met in the postseason was in 2004. The Leafs enter this matchup with some serious offensive firepower, including Auston Matthews, who reached 400 career goals this season, and Mitch Marner, who put up 100 points on the season.
Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic 2) vs. Florida Panthers (Atlantic 3, Defending Champion)
This battle of the Sunshine State’s two hockey clubs is a rematch of last year’s first-round series, which Florida won en route to a Stanley Cup title. Their regular season series was split 2-2, and this marks their fourth playoff meeting, with Tampa Bay winning two of the previous three, eventually netting two Stanley Cups for their efforts.
Washington Capitals (Metropolitan 1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (Wild Card 2)
The Capitals have been the best team in the Eastern Conference for the majority of the regular season, and that’s been rewarded with a favorable matchup versus the Wild Card 2 Canadiens. To make matters even more lopsided for Montreal, Washington also has Alex Ovechkin on their bench, who just broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record with his 895th goal.
Carolina Hurricanes (Metropolitan 2) vs. New Jersey Devils (Metropolitan 3)
The Devils and the Hurricanes were neck-and-neck in the standings to end the regular season, and tied 2-2 in their regular season series against each other. The Hurricanes have been a perennial contender in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since head coach Rod Brind’amour — who, as a player, led the Canes to their first title in 2006 — took the helm, but haven’t been able to get over the hump for a shot at the Final. The Devils will be entering the playoffs down a key player in Jack Hughes, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.
Western Conference Playoff Bracket
Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific 1) vs. Minnesota Wild (Wild Card 1)
The Golden Knights, just one season removed from winning the Stanley Cup Final, dominated their regular-season series against the Wild, sweeping them 3-0. Minnesota started the season with a dominant performance that launched them to the top of the standings but faded later in the year amid injuries to key players. Vegas enters the playoffs healthy and well-rested, while Minnesota has underdog status. This is their second playoff meeting; in 2021, Vegas won in seven games.
LA Kings (Pacific 2) vs. Edmonton Oilers (Pacific 3)
The Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers are set to clash in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, marking their fourth consecutive postseason meeting. Though Edmonton won the previous three series, the Oilers are pretty banged up entering this matchup, offering the Kings possibly the best chance of taking them down they’ve ever had.
Winnipeg Jets (Central 1 President’s Trophy Winner) vs. St. Louis Blues (Wild Card 2)
The Jets were absolutely dominant this season, winning the Presidents’ Trophy with 116 points. They’ll face the Blues, who secured their Wild Card spot with a late-season surge. Winnipeg won three of their four regular-season meetings. This is their second playoff meeting: St. Louis beat Winnipeg in six games during the 2019 playoffs on the way to a Stanley Cup Final win over the Boston Bruins.
Dallas Stars (Central 2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (Central 3)
The Stars were a favorite in the odds until recently, but they dropped off a bit after they ended their season with a concerning six-game skid. They still have every bit of a shot at taking things all the way to the Final. They face the Avalanche, who won two of three regular-season matchups. Dallas won last year’s playoff series between the teams in six games, and this year they’ve got former Av’s star Mikko Rantanen on their roster. This is expected to be a tight series.
2025 NHL Playoffs Schedule
Watch as all these teams take to the ice during the Stanley Cup Finals. Find the full NHL Playoffs schedule by clicking the link below!
Favorites to Win 2025 Stanley Cup (as of April 17, 2025)
Right now, the Hurricanes and the Avalanche are the frontrunners to win the Stanley Cup Final, according to most analysts. Here are the current odds from FanDuel:
Carolina Hurricanes +650
Colorado Avalanche +700
Vegas Golden Knights +750
Florida Panthers +750
Washington Capitals +950
Winnipeg Jets +950
Tampa Bay Lightning +1000
Edmonton Oilers +1000
Dallas Stars +1100
Toronto Maple Leafs +1400
Los Angeles Kings +1700
Ottawa Senators +3600
New Jersey Devils +3700
St. Louis Blues +4100
Minnesota Wild +4400
Montreal Canadiens +9000
How do the NHL Playoffs Work?
The Stanley Cup playoffs span three elimination rounds of four to seven games each between qualifying teams, culminating in the Stanley Cup Final between the Western and Eastern Conference champions.
The winner of the Stanley Cup Final earns the honor of hoisting the coveted and massive Stanley Cup.
Seeding & Bracket
In total, 16 teams will make it to the playoffs. The top three teams from each of the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific divisions automatically qualify, and the four other playoff spots are awarded to the next two highest-ranking teams by regular season record in each conference, no matter which division they’re drawn from. Those teams are known as “wild cards.”
Playoff teams are then seeded based on their regular season point totals. Teams earn the following points during the regular season:
- 2 points for a regulation win
- 1 point for an overtime loss/tie
- 0 points for a regulation loss
If there’s a tie, there’s a series of tiebreaking statistics that are examined to determine which has the right to the higher seed.
If that still doesn’t break the tie, the two teams are pitted against each other in a game, and the winner gets home-ice advantage.
Series
The rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs are played as best-of-seven series between the two teams. The higher seeded team gets home-ice advantage for the first two games, then visits their opponent for the next two. After that, they alternate locations if more games are necessary with the higher seed hosting games 5 and 7.
In the first round, the top seeded team from each conference plays the lowest seeded wild card team in their conference, and the other wild card team plays the winner of the other division in the conference. The second- and third-seeded teams in each division play each other.
First-round winners move on to play the other divisional winners in their conference, and the winners of those series go to the Conference Finals. Then, conference champions play each other for the Cup.
Overtime Rules
In the regular season, games that end after three periods in a tie go into three-on-three overtime. If no winner emerges from the overtime round, a shootout is held to determine the winner.
The same can’t be said for the NHL playoffs: if a game goes to overtime, additional 20-minute periods are added until one team scores. This means playoffs games could get very, very long. The longest playoff game ever occurred in 1934 between the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens, going to six overtimes. Yep: the overtime for that game was longer than the regulation play itself.
In recent years, a game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Columbus Blue Jackets went to five overtimes in 2020, and a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers in 2023 went to four overtimes.
History of the Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Stanley Cup is named after Lord Stanley of Preston, who was the Governor General of Canada at the time it was commissioned in 1892. Preston gave it to Canada’s top-ranked amateur ice hockey team. The trophy was passed to the team with the best record at the end of each season.
In subsequent years, the Cup was passed between the emergent National Hockey League and its rivals in the Western Canada Hockey until 1926, when the NHL took sole possession of the trophy.
Today, the Stanley Cup is the ultimate prize for a professional hockey player. Teams who win the cup have their member’s names engraved on the bands that run around it, which are periodically removed and enshrined to make room for new engravings. It’s the oldest sports trophy in North American sports.
Stanley Cup Winners by Year (2000 – Present)
Wondering the last time your team took home the Cup? Here are the Stanley Cup winners from 2000 to today.
2024: Florida Panthers
2023: Vegas Golden Knights
2022: Colorado Avalanche
2021: Tampa Bay Lightning
2020: Tampa Bay Lightning
2019: St. Louis Blues
2018: Washington Capitals
2017: Pittsburgh Penguins
2016: Pittsburgh Penguins
2015: Chicago Blackhawks
2014: Los Angeles Kings
2013: Chicago Blackhawks
2012: Los Angeles Kings
2011: Boston Bruins
2010: Chicago Blackhawks
2009: Pittsburgh Penguins
2008: Detroit Red Wings
2007: Anaheim Ducks
2006: Carolina Hurricanes
2005: No season played
2004: Tampa Bay Lightning
2003: New Jersey Devils
2002: Detroit Red Wings
2001: Colorado Avalanche
2000: New Jersey Devils
Most Stanley Cup Wins & Appearances by Team
- Montreal Canadiens – 24 wins in 33 appearances
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 13 wins in 21 appearances
- Detroit Red Wings – 11 wins in 24 appearances
- Boston Bruins – 6 wins in 20 appearances
- Chicago Blackhawks – 6 wins in 13 appearances
What is the President’s Trophy?
The President’s Trophy is the trophy awarded to the team that finishes the regular season with the highest total points. Last year, the New York Rangers won the President’s Trophy. This year, they failed to make the playoffs.
Has the President’s Trophy Winner Ever Won the Stanley Cup?
Only eight teams have won the President’s Trophy and gone on to dominate the playoffs, too: the 1986-87 Edmonton Oilers led by NHL legend Wayne Gretzky were the first, followed by the 88-89 Calgary Flames, the 93-94 New York Rangers, the 98-99 Dallas Stars, 00-01 Colorado Avalanche, the 01-02 Detroit Red Wings, the 07-08 Detroit Red Wings and 12-13 Chicago Blackhawks.
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