2025 Stanley Cup playoffs

Tournament details
Dates	April 19 – June 17, 2025
Teams	16
Defending champions	Florida Panthers
Final positions
Champions	Florida Panthers
Runners-up	Edmonton Oilers
Tournament statistics
Scoring leader(s)	Leon Draisaitl (Oilers) (33 points)
Awards
MVP	Sam Bennett (Panthers)
← 2024 2026 →

The2025 Stanley Cup playoffs was theplayoff tournament of theNational Hockey League (NHL) for the2024–25 season. The playoffs began on April 19, 2025, and concluded on June 17, 2025, with theFlorida Panthers winning their secondStanley Cup in franchise history, defeating theEdmonton Oilers four games to two in theStanley Cup Final and for the second consecutive season.^[1]

TheWinnipeg Jets made the playoffs as thePresidents' Trophy winners with the most points (i.e. best record) during the regular season, doing so for the first time in the franchise's history. They are also the first Canadian-based team since the2011–12 Vancouver Canucks to win the award.^[2][3] TheToronto Maple Leafs extended their playoff streak to nine years, reaching the playoffs every season since2017; this becamethe longest active playoff streak after theBoston Bruins, who were previously tied with them for the longest active playoff streak in the NHL, missed the playoffs for the first time since2016, snapping an eight-year playoff streak. TheNew York Rangers became the fourth defending Presidents' Trophy winner to miss the playoffs and the first to do so twice.^[4] TheOttawa Senators qualified for the playoffs for the first time since2017, ending what had beenthe league's third-longest active playoff drought. For the first time in League history, all four of the U.S.-basedOriginal Six teams missed the playoffs.^[5] For the first time since 2017, every team in Eastern Canada (theMontreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs) qualified for the playoffs. In addition, five Canadian-based teams qualified for the postseason, the most since the expanded2020 playoffs, and the most in a 16–team playoff since2017. For the first time since2018, all threeNew York-based teams missed the playoffs, while for the third consecutive season, bothPennsylvania-based teams missed the playoffs.

For the first time since2004, three Canadian teams advanced to the second round. For the sixth consecutive season, aFlorida-based team reached the Stanley Cup Final.^[6] For the first time since2007, a Canadian-based team advanced to the Finals for the second consecutive season. For the first time since2012, neither Finals opponent had home-ice advantage in any rounds prior to the Finals. It was also the first rematch of Finals opponents since2009.Leon Draisaitl became the first player in league history to score four overtime goals in one playoff year.^[7]

For the first time since2016, no series ended in a four-game sweep.

This was the tenth year in which the top three teams in each division made theplayoffs, along with twowild cards in each conference (for a total of eight playoff teams from each conference).

The following teams qualified for the playoffs:^[8]

1. Toronto Maple Leafs,Atlantic Division champions – 108 points
2. Tampa Bay Lightning – 102 points
3. Florida Panthers – 98 points

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

1. Ottawa Senators – 97 points
2. Montreal Canadiens – 91 points

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

1. Vegas Golden Knights,Pacific Division champions – 110 points
2. Los Angeles Kings – 105 points
3. Edmonton Oilers – 101 points

1. Minnesota Wild – 97 points
2. St. Louis Blues – 96 points

In each round, teams competed in a best-of-seven series following a 2–2–1–1–1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team withhome ice advantage played at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team played at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). 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 lowerseeded 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 werede 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.

Legend

• A1,A2,A3 – The first, second, and third place teams from theAtlantic Division, respectively
• M1,M2,M3 – The first, second, and third place teams from theMetropolitan Division, respectively
• C1,C2,C3 – The first, second, and third place teams from theCentral Division, respectively
• P1,P2,P3 – The first, second, and third place teams from thePacific Division, respectively
• WC1,WC2 – The first and second place teams in the Wild Card, respectively

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 tworivals with Toronto winning all four previous series. They last met in the2004 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 goaltenderAnthony Stolarz made 31 saves to backstop the Maple Leafs to a 6–2 victory.^[9] In game two, the Senators came back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game and force overtime, but in overtimeMax Domi scored to give the Maple Leafs a 3–2 victory.^[10] Game three also required overtime as Maple Leafs defencemanSimon Benoit scored the overtime-winning goal, giving Toronto a 3–2 victory and 3–0 series lead.^[11] 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.^[12] Senators goaltenderLinus Ullmark stopped all 29 shots he faced in game five, forcing a sixth game with a 4–0 shutout.^[13] 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.^[14]

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 tworivals with Tampa Bay winning two of the three previous series. Florida won theprevious 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.^[15] Florida goaltenderSergei Bobrovsky stopped all 19 shots by the Lightning in game two, shutting out Tampa Bay 2–0.^[16]Andrei Vasilevskiy made 33 saves for the Lightning in game three who emerged victorious 5–1.^[17] 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.^[18]Eetu Luostarinen scored a goal and assisted thrice in game five, giving Florida a 6–3 victory and a second round berth.^[19]

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 the2010 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.^[20]Connor McMichael scored twice for the Capitals in game two, giving Washington a 2–0 series lead with a 3–1 victory.^[21]Cole Caufield andAlex Newhook both scored a goal and assisted in Montreal's 6–3 victory in game three.^[22] In game four,Brandon Duhaime scored twice for the Capitals, defeating the Canadiens 5–2 to take a 3–1 series lead.^[23] GoaltenderLogan Thompson made 28 saves for Washington in game five, sending the Capitals to the second round with a 4–1 victory.^[24]

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 the2023 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.^[25] GoaltenderFrederik Andersen made 25 saves for the Hurricanes in game two, defeating the Devils 3–1.^[26] 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.^[27]Andrei Svechnikov scored a hat trick in game four, leading the Hurricanes to a 5–2 victory.^[28] 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.^[29]

The Winnipeg Jets earned thePresidents' 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 32RWs. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the2019 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.^[30]Mark Scheifele scored a goal and provided an assist in game two for the Jets, defeating the Blues 2–1.^[31]Pavel Buchnevich scored a hat trick in game three for the Blues, routing the Jets 7–2.^[32]Jake Neighbours assisted twice and provided a goal for the Blues in game four, tying the series 2–2 with a 5–1 victory.^[33] In game five, Connor provided a goal and two assists in a 5–3 triumph for the Jets, taking a 3–2 series lead.^[34] 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.^[35] 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.^[36] In double overtime, captainAdam Lowry scored to send the Jets to the second round with a 4–3 victory.^[37] This was the longest game seven since theEaster Epic in 1987.^[38]

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 theprevious 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.^[39] 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.^[40] In game three,Tyler Seguin provided the overtime game-winning goal for the Stars, defeating the Avalanche 2–1.^[41]Mackenzie Blackwood stopped all 23 shots he faced in game four, giving Colorado a 4–0 shutout victory and tying the series 2–2.^[42] In game five, bothWyatt Johnston andMikko Rantanen scored three points in Dallas's 6–2 victory, taking a 3–2 series lead in the process.^[43] In game six, the Avalanche prevented a two-goal come back from the Stars withValeri Nichushkin scoring twice in a 7–4 victory to force a seventh game.^[44] Rantanen scored a hat trick in the third period of game seven, becoming the first player in League history to complete the feat.^[45] 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.^[46] With the win, Stars head coachPeter DeBoer improved his game seven record to 9–0, becoming the sole head coach to have nine seventh game victories.^[47]

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 the2021 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.^[48]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.^[49] In game three,Filip Gustavsson made 30 saves for the Wild in a 5–2 victory.^[50] Game four required overtime; Golden Knights forwardIvan Barbashev scored to end the sudden-death period with a 4–3 victory.^[51] Game five also required overtime, whereinBrett Howden scored for Vegas to give them a 3–2 win and 3–2 series lead.^[52] Three Vegas players provided two points in game six to send the Golden Knights to the second round with a 3–2 victory.^[53]

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 tworivals with Edmonton winning eight of the ten previous series as well as the previous six series. Edmonton won theprevious 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.^[54] In game two,Anze Kopitar andAdrian Kempe both had four points against the Oilers, defeating Edmonton 6–2.^[55] 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 byJim Hiller's failed coach's challenge, allowing Edmonton to obtain a 7–4 victory.^[56] 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.^[57] 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.^[58] 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.^[59]

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams; their only previous meeting was in the2023 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.^[60] Three Toronto players provided two points in game two, edging out Florida 4–3 for a 2–0 series lead.^[61] In game three, the Panthers came back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime whereBrad Marchand scored to give Florida a 5–4 victory.^[62] Florida goaltenderSergei Bobrovsky stopped all 23 shots in game four, tying the series with a 2–0 shutout.^[63] Bobrovsky made 31 saves in game five as the Panthers routed the Maple Leafs 6–1 to take a 3–2 series lead.^[64] Maple Leafs goaltenderJoseph Woll stopped all 22 shots he faced in game six to force a seventh game with a 2–0 shutout.^[65] 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.^[66]

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams; their only previous meeting was in the2019 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.^[67] In game two,Logan Thompson made 27 saves for the Capitals, backstopping Washington to a 3–1 triumph.^[68] Hurricanes goaltenderFrederik Andersen stopped all 21 shots he faced in game three, shutting out the Capitals 4–0.^[69]Sean Walker andTaylor 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.^[70]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.^[71]

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.^[72]Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice and provided an assist inConnor Hellebuyck's 21-save shutout for the Jets, tying the series 1–1 with a 4–0 win.^[73] In game three, Rantanen scored a goal and assisted twice for the Stars, defeating the Jets 5–2.^[74]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.^[75] In game five, Hellebuyck continued his home shutout streak stopping all 22 shots he faced to force a sixth game.^[76] Game six required overtime andThomas Harley scored for the Stars, sending Dallas to their third consecutive conference finals appearance with a 2–1 victory.^[77]

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams; their only previous meeting was in the2023 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.^[78] The Oilers gave up a two-goal lead in the third period of game two, but recovered in overtime withLeon Draisaitl scoring the overtime-winning goal to give Edmonton a 5–4 victory.^[79] 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.^[80] The goal was the third-latest game-winning goal in regulation in NHL playoff history.^[81]Adam Henrique scored twice andStuart Skinner stopped all 23 shots for the Oilers in game four, defeating the Golden Knights 3–0 to take a 3–1 series lead.^[82] In game five, neither team scored in regulation, setting up an overtime period whereKasperi Kapanen scored to send Edmonton to the Western Conference final for the second consecutive season.^[83]

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous playoff meeting was in the2023 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 theprevious season's conference finals against theNew 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.^[84] Bobrovsky stopped all 17 shots he faced in game two asSam Bennett scored twice to help Florida win 5–0.^[85] Florida captainAleksander 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.^[86] Hurricanes goaltenderFrederik 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.^[87] In game five, the Panthers overcame a two-goal deficit withCarter 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.^[88]

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 ofprevious 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 in1980. 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.^[89]Stuart Skinner stopped all 25 shots he faced for the Oilers in game two, shutting out the Stars 3–0.^[90] Skinner made 33 saves and three Oilers players provided three points in game three, giving Edmonton a 6–1 victory.^[91] In game four,Corey Perry andLeon Draisaitl each scored a goal and provided an assist for Edmonton's 4–1 victory, taking a 3–1 series lead in the process.^[92]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.^[93]

This was the second consecutive and second overall playoff meeting between these teams. Florida won theprevious 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.

These are the top ten skaters based on points, following the conclusion of the playoffs.^[94]

This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based ongoals against average and the top five goaltenders based onsave 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 inbold are currently active in the playoffs.^[95]

In Canada, this marked the eleventh postseason underRogers Sports & Media's 12-year contract. Games aired across theSportsnet networks andCBC under theHockey 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.^[96][97]

Every game was available to stream onSportsnet+.^[96]

In the U.S., this marked the fourth year of a seven-year agreement with theESPN andTNT Sports.^[98]

For games in the first two rounds, games were split between ESPN-produced telecasts (either on ESPN,ABC, or ESPN2) and TNT Sports-produced telecasts (either on TNT orTBS, with selected simulcasts onTruTV). Each U.S. team's regional broadcaster also televised local coverage of first-round games, except for any games on ABC.^[99][100]

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.^[98][101] As per the alternating rotation, TNT Sports has coverage of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.^[98]

Max streamed all TNT Sports-produced telecasts.^[100]ESPN+ streams ABC games and ESPN's Conference Finals games.^[102][101]

During game one of the St. Louis–Winnipeg first round series, TNT was criticized for not sending announcersJohn Forslund andJennifer Botterill to Winnipeg for the game, instead calling it remotely in the network'sAtlanta studios.^[103] This was despite the fact ESPN decided to send the announce team ofJohn Buccigross andKevin 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.^[104] Nevertheless, ESPN still received criticism for its audio mix of game one of Ottawa–Toronto even with Buccigross and Weekes on site.^[105]The Athletic later reported that TNT was producing remote broadcasts of first round games in Edmonton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg (except for any elimination games 5–7) due to financial reasons because "outside of Toronto and Montreal" travel in Canada "presents logistical challenges".^[106][107]

This was the fourth and final year underSports USA Radio Network's deal to syndicate select Stanley Cup playoff games viaNHL Radio across the U.S., including the entire conference finals and Stanley Cup Final.^[108]

• 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs

• Stanley Cup playoffs
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