NHL playoff predictions: Round 1, conference finals, Cup champs
Heading into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, theScore's Kyle Cushman, Kayla Douglas, Mike Dickson, Nick Faris, John Matisz, Sean O'Leary, and Josh Wegman make their picks for the first round, conference finals, Stanley Cup Final, and Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
Toronto is undefeated in Battle of Ontario playoff series, but it's been 21 years since the last postseason matchup between these foes. Do the Leafs still have the edge over the Sens? Ottawa has owned the regular-season series versus Toronto over the past two seasons, after all.
The Leafs are barely favored to advance to the second round for just the second time in the Auston Matthews era, with four of seven editors picking Ontario's capital over Canada's capital. What is unanimous is that this series is going deep, as five have the matchup going the distance to seven games.
The two Florida teams have combined to win the Eastern Conference for the past five seasons. The stakes are high as the Lightning look to make the second round for the first time since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2022, while the Panthers eye a third consecutive Final appearance.
The margins are razor-thin. Tampa Bay is a slight favorite over the defending Cup champs, with four editors picking the Lightning, and the series is expected to go deep. This one's gonna be a bloodbath and a must-see matchup.
Fifteen years ago, a punchy eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens shocked the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals en route to the conference finals. Can they do it again? Most say no, but it wasn't unanimous. One editor believes the Habs can find that postseason magic for another big upset.
A healthy Jack Hughes would significantly change the outlook of this series, but that's not the world we live in. The Devils are banged up, and the Hurricanes consistently win at least one round in the postseason. Carolina isn't a division winner, but it's easily the biggest favorite in the East among the editors.
The Jets are a near-unanimous pick, though it won't be an easy series. Everyone has the series going at least six games, with one editor picking the Presidents' Trophy winners to bow out in Round 1. Dylan Holloway and Nikolaj Ehlers are two key players on the shelf who could have big impacts if they return during the first round.
Jordan Binnington got the last laugh at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but it might be Connor Hellebuyck's time for revenge.
Injuries might dampen what was shaping up to be an all-time first-round battle. Miro Heiskanen isn't expected to be ready for the start of the series, and Jason Robertson was hurt in Dallas' last game of the regular season. If both are out for the Stars, it could be a difficult path to victory against an Avalanche squad that, against all odds, appears to be getting captain Gabriel Landeskog back.
This might be the most lopsided first-round matchup, with two editors picking the Golden Knights to sweep the Wild and everyone picking Vegas to advance. Minnesota has struggled down the stretch and needed a last-minute Joel Eriksson Ek goal against the Anaheim Ducks just to clinch a playoff spot. A Wild series victory against a Golden Knights team that's in prime position for another Cup run would be a stunner.
Is it finally time for the Kings to knock off the Oilers? In a mild surprise, six of seven editors have Los Angeles advancing past the defending Western Conference champs. It's bold to pick against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but there are many reasons to favor the Kings in this one.
Darcy Kuemper could be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, while Stuart Skinner has had a rocky campaign. Edmonton's best defensive defenseman, Mattias Ekholm, is out with an injury. The Oilers have brushed aside L.A. for three years in a row. That run is in serious jeopardy.
Six of seven editors believe a Florida team will win the Eastern Conference for the sixth consecutive season. Which one it will be is split right down the middle, with three picks for each of the Panthers and Lightning.
The Hurricanes are heavily favored to come out of the Metropolitan side of the bracket, with Carolina representing the division for six of seven editors. Only one has the Canes finally breaking through to make the Cup Final, however.
No editors have the defending Western-winning Oilers even getting back to the conference final, with only one editor picking Edmonton to make it out of Round 1.
The Golden Knights are a favorite to make it to the final four and represent the Pacific Division, though the Central teams are the preferred pick to make the Cup Final. The Avalanche are the most common pick to win the West, with the Jets and Stars also being backed for a deep run.
It's the West's world, and we're just living in it. Every editor picked a Western Conference winner to also go on to win the Stanley Cup.
Colorado, the preferred selection, and Vegas would claim their second titles with their current core players. The Stars haven't won since 1999 and have lost in the final twice since their triumph, most recently in 2020. And of course, the Winnipeg Jets have never claimed Lord Stanley's mug, neither in its original iteration nor in the Atlanta Thrashers/current Jets franchise history.
A year after winning his first Hart Trophy, MacKinnon is the marginal favorite to win the Conn Smythe among the editors. A Makar win would be a historic second playoff MVP for the star defenseman, as only Bobby Orr has accomplished the feat among NHL rearguards.
Eichel and Stone also get some love for the Golden Knights, while Johnston is favored for a postseason run that would elevate him into a top star in the game. A Conn Smythe win for Hellebuyck would put his season among the greatest by a goaltender, especially in the modern era.