2025 Stanley Cup playoffs


The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League for the 2024–25 season. The playoffs began on April 19, 2025, and concluded on June 17, 2025, with the Florida Panthers winning their second Stanley Cup in franchise history, defeating the Edmonton Oilers four games to two in the Stanley Cup Final and for the second consecutive season.
The Winnipeg Jets made the playoffs as the Presidents' Trophy winners with the most points during the regular season, doing so for the first time in the franchise's history. They are also the first Canadian-based team since the 2011–12 Vancouver Canucks to win the award. The Toronto Maple Leafs extended their playoff streak to nine years, reaching the playoffs every season since 2017; this became the longest active playoff streak after the Boston Bruins, who were previously tied with them for the longest active playoff streak in the NHL, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, snapping an eight-year playoff streak. The New York Rangers became the fourth defending Presidents' Trophy winner to miss the playoffs and the first to do so twice. The Ottawa Senators qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, ending what had been the league's third-longest active playoff drought. For the first time in League history, all four of the U.S.-based Original Six teams missed the playoffs. For the first time since 2017, every team in Eastern Canada qualified for the playoffs. In addition, five Canadian-based teams qualified for the postseason, the most since the expanded 2020 playoffs, and the most in a 16–team playoff since 2017. For the first time since 2018, all three New York-based teams missed the playoffs, while for the third consecutive season, both Pennsylvania-based teams missed the playoffs.
For the first time since 2004, three Canadian teams advanced to the second round. For the sixth consecutive season, a Florida-based team reached the Stanley Cup Final. For the first time since 2007, a Canadian-based team advanced to the Finals for the second consecutive season. For the first time since, neither Finals opponent had home-ice advantage in any rounds prior to the Finals. It was also the first rematch of Finals opponents since. Leon Draisaitl became the first player in league history to score four overtime goals in one playoff year.
For the first time since 2016, no series ended in a four-game sweep.

Playoff seeds

This was the tenth year in which the top three teams in each division made the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference.
The following teams qualified for the playoffs:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

  1. Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlantic Division champions – 108 points
  2. [2024–25 2024–25 Tampa Bay Lightning season|Tampa Bay Lightning season|Tampa Bay Lightning] – 102 points
  3. [2024–25 2024–25 Florida Panthers season|Florida Panthers season|Florida Panthers] – 98 points

Metropolitan Division

  1. [2024–25 2024–25 Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals season|Washington Capitals], Metropolitan Division champions, Eastern Conference regular season champions — 111 points
  2. Carolina Hurricanes – 99 points
  3. [2024–25 2024–25 New Jersey Devils season|New Jersey Devils season|New Jersey Devils] – 91 points

Wild Cards

  1. Ottawa Senators – 97 points
  2. [2024–25 2024–25 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal Canadiens] – 91 points

Western Conference

Central Division

  1. Winnipeg Jets, Central Division champions, Western Conference regular season champions, Presidents' Trophy winners – 116 points
  2. Dallas Stars – 106 points
  3. Colorado Avalanche – 102 points

Pacific Division

  1. [2024–25 2024–25 Vegas Golden Knights season|Vegas Golden Knights season|Vegas Golden Knights], Pacific Division champions – 110 points
  2. [2024–25 2024–25 Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings season|Los Angeles Kings] – 105 points
  3. Edmonton Oilers – 101 points

Wild Cards

  1. [2024–25 2024–25 Minnesota Wild season|Minnesota Wild season|Minnesota Wild] – 97 points
  2. St. Louis Blues – 96 points

Playoff bracket

In each round, teams competed in a best-of-seven series following a 2–2–1–1–1 format. The team with home ice advantage played at home for games one and two, and the other team played at home for games three and four. The top three teams in each division made the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference, for a total of eight teams from each conference.
In the first round, the lower seeded wild card in the conference played against the division winner with the best record while the other wild card played against the other division winner, and both wild cards were de facto #4 seeds. The other series matched the second and third-place teams from the divisions. In the first two rounds, home-ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better seed. Thereafter, it was awarded to the team that had the better regular season record.

;LegendA1, A2, A3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Atlantic Division, respectivelyM1, M2, M3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Metropolitan Division, respectivelyC1, C2, C3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Central Division, respectivelyP1, P2, P3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Pacific Division, respectivelyWC1, WC2 – The first and second place teams in the Wild Card, respectively

First round

Eastern Conference first round

(A1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

The Toronto Maple Leafs finished first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points. The Ottawa Senators earned 97 points to finish as the first wild card in the Eastern Conference. This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two rivals with Toronto winning all four previous series. They last met in the 2004 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which Toronto won in seven games. Ottawa won all three games in this year's regular season series.
The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators in six games. Mitch Marner scored a goal and provided two assists in game one while goaltender Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves to backstop the Maple Leafs to a 6–2 victory. In game two, the Senators came back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game and force overtime, but in overtime Max Domi scored to give the Maple Leafs a 3–2 victory. Game three also required overtime as Maple Leafs defenceman Simon Benoit scored the overtime-winning goal, giving Toronto a 3–2 victory and 3–0 series lead. In game four, the Maple Leafs came back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime, but in the extra period, Jake Sanderson scored to give the Senators a 4–3 victory, staving off elimination to force a fifth game. Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark stopped all 29 shots he faced in game five, forcing a sixth game with a 4–0 shutout. In game six, the Maple Leafs prevented a two-goal comeback from the Senators by scoring the series-winning goal with 5:39 left in the third period to emerge victorious 4–2 and advance to the second round.

(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Florida Panthers

The Tampa Bay Lightning finished second in the Atlantic Division with 102 points. The Florida Panthers earned 98 points to finish third in the Atlantic. This was the second consecutive and fourth overall playoff meeting between these two rivals with Tampa Bay winning two of the three previous series. Florida won the previous season's Eastern Conference first round series in five games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.
The Panthers defeated the Lightning in five games. In game one, Matthew Tkachuk scored twice and provided an assist for the Panthers, who collected a 6–2 victory in the process. Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 19 shots by the Lightning in game two, shutting out Tampa Bay 2–0. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 33 saves for the Lightning in game three who emerged victorious 5–1. In game four, Anton Lundell scored a goal and provided an assist in Florida's 4–2 victory, giving the Panthers a 3–1 series lead. Eetu Luostarinen scored a goal and assisted thrice in game five, giving Florida a 6–3 victory and a second round berth.

(M1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

The Washington Capitals finished first in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference earning 111 points. The Montreal Canadiens earned 91 points to finish as the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 2010 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which Montreal came back from a 3–1 series deficit to defeat Washington in seven games. Washington won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.
The Capitals defeated the Canadiens in five games. In game one, Alexander Ovechkin scored twice, including the overtime-winning goal, for the Capitals, defeating the Canadiens 3–2. Connor McMichael scored twice for the Capitals in game two, giving Washington a 2–0 series lead with a 3–1 victory. Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook both scored a goal and assisted in Montreal's 6–3 victory in game three. In game four, Brandon Duhaime scored twice for the Capitals, defeating the Canadiens 5–2 to take a 3–1 series lead. Goaltender Logan Thompson made 28 saves for Washington in game five, sending the Capitals to the second round with a 4–1 victory.

(M2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (M3) New Jersey Devils

The Carolina Hurricanes finished second in the Metropolitan Division with 99 points. The New Jersey Devils earned 91 points to finish third in the Metropolitan. This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams with Carolina winning four of the five previous series. They last met in the 2023 Eastern Conference second round, which Carolina won in five games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.
The Hurricanes defeated the Devils in five games. In game one, Logan Stankoven scored twice for Carolina, defeating New Jersey 4–1. Goaltender Frederik Andersen made 25 saves for the Hurricanes in game two, defeating the Devils 3–1. In game three, the Hurricanes came back from a two-goal deficit and forced overtime, but in double-overtime, Simon Nemec scored for New Jersey to give the Devils a 3–2 victory. Andrei Svechnikov scored a hat trick in game four, leading the Hurricanes to a 5–2 victory. In game five, the Hurricanes came back from a three-goal deficit, along with a one-goal deficit, to force overtime, and in double-overtime, Sebastian Aho scored to send Carolina to the second round with a 5–4 victory.

Western Conference first round

(C1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

The Winnipeg Jets earned the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best regular season team with 116 points. The St. Louis Blues earned 96 points to finish as the second wild card in the Western Conference, winning the tiebreaker against Calgary with 32. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 2019 Western Conference first round, which St. Louis won in six games. Winnipeg won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.
The Jets defeated the Blues in seven games, with the home team victorious in every game. In game one, Kyle Connor scored the game-winning goal with 1:36 left in the third period to give the Jets a 5–3 victory. Mark Scheifele scored a goal and provided an assist in game two for the Jets, defeating the Blues 2–1. Pavel Buchnevich scored a hat trick in game three for the Blues, routing the Jets 7–2. Jake Neighbours assisted twice and provided a goal for the Blues in game four, tying the series 2–2 with a 5–1 victory. In game five, Connor provided a goal and two assists in a 5–3 triumph for the Jets, taking a 3–2 series lead. In the second period of game six, St. Louis scored four goals in the span of 5:23, forcing a seventh game with a 5–2 victory. In game seven, the Jets came back from a two-goal deficit, scoring both goals with less than two minutes left in the third period, to force overtime; Cole Perfetti's goal with three seconds left to force overtime set a new league record for the latest game-tying goal in a seventh game. In double overtime, captain Adam Lowry scored to send the Jets to the second round with a 4–3 victory. This was the longest game seven since the Easter Epic in 1987.

(C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Colorado Avalanche

The Dallas Stars finished second in the Central Division with 106 points. The Colorado Avalanche earned 102 points to finish third in the Central. This was the second consecutive and seventh overall playoff series between these two teams with Dallas winning four of the six previous playoff series. Dallas won the previous season's Western Conference second round in six games. Colorado won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.
The Stars defeated the Avalanche in seven games. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice and provided an assist for the Avalanche in game one who emerged with a 5–1 victory. The Stars tied the series with game two's victory; Colin Blackwell scored the overtime-winning goal for Dallas to end the game 4–3. In game three, Tyler Seguin provided the overtime game-winning goal for the Stars, defeating the Avalanche 2–1. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped all 23 shots he faced in game four, giving Colorado a 4–0 shutout victory and tying the series 2–2. In game five, both Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen scored three points in Dallas's 6–2 victory, taking a 3–2 series lead in the process. In game six, the Avalanche prevented a two-goal come back from the Stars with Valeri Nichushkin scoring twice in a 7–4 victory to force a seventh game. Rantanen scored a hat trick in the third period of game seven, becoming the first player in League history to complete the feat. The Stars successfully came back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to defeat the Avalanche 4–2 and advance to the second round. With the win, Stars head coach Peter DeBoer improved his game seven record to 9–0, becoming the sole head coach to have nine seventh game victories.

(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

The Vegas Golden Knights finished first in the Pacific Division with 110 points. The Minnesota Wild earned 97 points to finish as the first wild card in the Western Conference. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 2021 West Division first round, which Vegas won in seven games after giving up a 3–1 series lead. Vegas won all three games in this year's regular season series.
The Golden Knights defeated the Wild in six games. Tomas Hertl scored a goal and provided an assist in Vegas's 4–2 victory in game one. Kirill Kaprizov scored twice and provided an assist for the Wild in game two to defeat the Golden Knights 5–2 and tie the series 1–1. In game three, Filip Gustavsson made 30 saves for the Wild in a 5–2 victory. Game four required overtime; Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev scored to end the sudden-death period with a 4–3 victory. Game five also required overtime, wherein Brett Howden scored for Vegas to give them a 3–2 win and 3–2 series lead. Three Vegas players provided two points in game six to send the Golden Knights to the second round with a 3–2 victory.

(P2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (P3) Edmonton Oilers

The Los Angeles Kings finished second in the Pacific Division with 105 points. The Edmonton Oilers earned 101 points to finish third in the Pacific. This was the fourth consecutive and eleventh overall playoff meeting between these two rivals with Edmonton winning eight of the ten previous series as well as the previous six series. Edmonton won the previous season's Western Conference first round series in five games. Los Angeles won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.
The Oilers defeated the Kings in six games after trailing 2–0. Although the Kings gave up a four-goal lead in game one, Phillip Danault's second goal of the game in the final minute of the third period sealed a 6–5 victory for Los Angeles. In game two, Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe both had four points against the Oilers, defeating Edmonton 6–2. The Oilers gave up an early two-goal lead in game three and eventually trailed heading into the final period, before they rallied and scored four times, including two in 10 seconds, in the third period that was buoyed by Jim Hiller's failed coach's challenge, allowing Edmonton to obtain a 7–4 victory. In game four, Edmonton came back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime and in the extra period, Leon Draisaitl scored to give the Oilers a 4–3 victory, tying the series 2–2. The Oilers put 44 shots on the Kings in game five, scoring three times to get a 3–1 triumph and a 3–2 series lead. In game six, Connor Brown assisted twice and scored a goal for the Oilers, defeating the Kings for the fourth consecutive season with a 6–4 victory.

Second round

Eastern Conference second round

(A1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (A3) Florida Panthers

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams; their only previous meeting was in the 2023 Eastern Conference second round, which Florida won in five games. Florida won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.
The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs in seven games. In game one, William Nylander scored twice for Toronto as the Maple Leafs held off a third period rally from the Panthers for a 5–4 victory. Three Toronto players provided two points in game two, edging out Florida 4–3 for a 2–0 series lead. In game three, the Panthers came back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime where Brad Marchand scored to give Florida a 5–4 victory. Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 23 shots in game four, tying the series with a 2–0 shutout. Bobrovsky made 31 saves in game five as the Panthers routed the Maple Leafs 6–1 to take a 3–2 series lead. Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll stopped all 22 shots he faced in game six to force a seventh game with a 2–0 shutout.
In game seven, Marchand scored a goal and provided two assists for the Panthers, defeating Toronto 6–1 to clinch their third consecutive Eastern Conference finals berth.

(M1) Washington Capitals vs. (M2) Carolina Hurricanes

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams; their only previous meeting was in the 2019 Eastern Conference first round, which Carolina won in seven games. These teams split the four games in this year's regular season series.
The Hurricanes defeated the Capitals in five games. Game one required overtime; in the extra period, Jaccob Slavin scored to give Carolina a 2–1 victory. In game two, Logan Thompson made 27 saves for the Capitals, backstopping Washington to a 3–1 triumph. Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped all 21 shots he faced in game three, shutting out the Capitals 4–0. Sean Walker and Taylor Hall both scored a goal and provided an assist for the Hurricanes in game four, who defeated the Capitals 5–2 to take a 3–1 series lead. Andrei Svechnikov broke a 1–1 tie for the Hurricanes in game five, scoring with less than two minutes left in the third period, allowing Carolina to advance to the Eastern Conference final with a 3–1 victory.

Western Conference second round

(C1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (C2) Dallas Stars

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Winnipeg won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.
The Stars defeated the Jets in six games. Mikko Rantanen scored all three goals for the Stars in game one, scoring the hat trick within the second period of a 3–2 victory. Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice and provided an assist in Connor Hellebuyck's 21-save shutout for the Jets, tying the series 1–1 with a 4–0 win. In game three, Rantanen scored a goal and assisted twice for the Stars, defeating the Jets 5–2. Mikael Granlund scored all three goals for the Stars in game four, earning a hat trick in a 3–1 victory to take a 3–1 series lead. In game five, Hellebuyck continued his home shutout streak stopping all 22 shots he faced to force a sixth game. Game six required overtime and Thomas Harley scored for the Stars, sending Dallas to their third consecutive conference finals appearance with a 2–1 victory.

(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (P3) Edmonton Oilers

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams; their only previous meeting was in the 2023 Western Conference second round, which Vegas won in six games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.
The Oilers defeated the Golden Knights in five games. In game one, the Oilers scored twice in the final four minutes of the game, holding off the Golden Knights for a 4–2 victory. The Oilers gave up a two-goal lead in the third period of game two, but recovered in overtime with Leon Draisaitl scoring the overtime-winning goal to give Edmonton a 5–4 victory. In game three, the Golden Knights came back from a two-goal deficit and with 0.4 seconds remaining in the game, Reilly Smith scored to give Vegas a 4–3 victory. The goal was the third-latest game-winning goal in regulation in NHL playoff history. Adam Henrique scored twice and Stuart Skinner stopped all 23 shots for the Oilers in game four, defeating the Golden Knights 3–0 to take a 3–1 series lead. In game five, neither team scored in regulation, setting up an overtime period where Kasperi Kapanen scored to send Edmonton to the Western Conference final for the second consecutive season.

Conference finals

Eastern Conference final

(M2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (A3) Florida Panthers

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous playoff meeting was in the 2023 Eastern Conference final, also the Hurricanes' most recent conference finals appearance, which Florida won in a four-game sweep. Carolina appeared in their sixth conference finals. This was Florida's third consecutive conference finals appearance and fourth overall. They won the previous season's conference finals against the New York Rangers in six games. Florida won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.
The Panthers defeated the Hurricanes in five games. In game one, Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves for the Panthers, backstopping Florida to a 5–2 victory. Bobrovsky stopped all 17 shots he faced in game two as Sam Bennett scored twice to help Florida win 5–0. Florida captain Aleksander Barkov scored twice and provided an assist in game three as the Panthers scored five goals in the third period to defeat Carolina 6–2 to take a 3–0 series lead. Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped all 20 shots by the Panthers in game four, forcing a fifth game with a 3–0 shutout win as the Hurricanes broke their 15-game conference final losing streak dating back to 2009. In game five, the Panthers overcame a two-goal deficit with Carter Verhaeghe providing the series-winning goal in the third period, advancing his team to the Finals for the third consecutive season with a 5–3 victory.

Western Conference final

(C2) Dallas Stars vs. (P3) Edmonton Oilers

This was the second consecutive and tenth overall playoff meeting between these two teams with Dallas winning six of the nine previous series, as well as a rematch of previous season's Western Conference finals series, which Edmonton won in six games. This was the third consecutive and tenth overall semifinals/conference finals appearance for the Stars since the league began using a 16-team or greater playoff format in 1980. Edmonton made their second consecutive and twelfth overall conference finals appearance. Dallas won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.
The Oilers defeated the Stars in five games. In game one, the Stars scored five goals in the third period to come back from a two-goal deficit to win 6–3. Stuart Skinner stopped all 25 shots he faced for the Oilers in game two, shutting out the Stars 3–0. Skinner made 33 saves and three Oilers players provided three points in game three, giving Edmonton a 6–1 victory. In game four, Corey Perry and Leon Draisaitl each scored a goal and provided an assist for Edmonton's 4–1 victory, taking a 3–1 series lead in the process. Connor McDavid scored a goal and provided an assist for the Oilers in game five, sending Edmonton to the Finals for the second consecutive season with a 6–3 victory.

Stanley Cup Final

This was the second consecutive and second overall playoff meeting between these teams. Florida won the previous season's Finals in seven games after leading the series 3–0. This was the second consecutive and ninth overall Finals appearance for the Oilers. Florida made their third consecutive and fourth overall Finals appearance. Florida won both games in this year's regular season series.

Player statistics

Skaters

These are the top ten skaters based on points, following the conclusion of the playoffs.
PlayerTeam
Edmonton Oilers22112233+46
Edmonton Oilers2272633+34
Florida Panthers21111223+56
Florida Panthers2381523+733
Edmonton Oilers2271623+68
Florida Panthers2371623+126
Florida Panthers2315722+648
Dallas Stars1891322−310
Florida Panthers2361622+44
Florida Panthers23101020+1748

Goaltenders

This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage, with at least 420 minutes played, following the conclusion of the playoffs. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded. Players in bold are currently active in the playoffs.
PlayerTeam
Carolina Hurricanes1385269252.02.9072 743:04
Florida Panthers23167618532.20.9143 1,442:34
Washington Capitals1055289242.41.9170 596:30
St. Louis Blues734192192.53.9010 450:30
Colorado Avalanche734176192.71.8921 420:45
Dallas Stars1898503482.82.9050 1,021:21

Media

Canada

In Canada, this marked the eleventh postseason under Rogers Sports & Media's 12-year contract. Games aired across the Sportsnet networks and CBC under the Hockey Night in Canada brand. For first and second-round U.S.–U.S. games not on CBC, Sportsnet generally simulcast the U.S. feed instead of producing their own telecast. The 2025 Stanley Cup Final were simulcast on both CBC and Sportsnet.
Every game was available to stream on Sportsnet+.

United States

In the U.S., this marked the fourth year of a seven-year agreement with the ESPN and TNT Sports.
For games in the first two rounds, games were split between ESPN-produced telecasts and TNT Sports-produced telecasts. Each U.S. team's regional broadcaster also televised local coverage of first-round games, except for any games on ABC.
ESPN/ABC had the first choice of which conference final series to air, choosing the Western Conference finals this season. As a result, TNT Sports broadcast the Eastern Conference finals. As per the alternating rotation, TNT Sports has coverage of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.
Max streamed all TNT Sports-produced telecasts. ESPN+ streams ABC games and ESPN's Conference Finals games.
During game one of the St. Louis–Winnipeg first round series, TNT was criticized for not sending announcers John Forslund and Jennifer Botterill to Winnipeg for the game, instead calling it remotely in the network's Atlanta studios. This was despite the fact ESPN decided to send the announce team of John Buccigross and Kevin Weekes to call games in Canada, encompassing game two of the St. Louis–Winnipeg series and the first three games of the Ottawa–Toronto series. Nevertheless, ESPN still received criticism for its audio mix of game one of Ottawa–Toronto even with Buccigross and Weekes on site. The Athletic later reported that TNT was producing remote broadcasts of first round games in Edmonton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg due to financial reasons because "outside of Toronto and Montreal" travel in Canada "presents logistical challenges".
This was the fourth and final year under Sports USA Radio Network's deal to syndicate select Stanley Cup playoff games via NHL Radio across the U.S., including the entire conference finals and Stanley Cup Final.