2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Kick Off With Thrilling Matchups

The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially underway, bringing excitement and anticipation as teams vie for hockey's most coveted prize. Kicking off on Saturday, April 19, the playoffs feature a thrilling lineup of matchups, showcasing a mix of established powerhouses and underdog stories. This year's playoffs are particularly intriguing, with notable absences from traditional hockey markets like New York, Boston, and Chicago, making way for smaller markets to shine.

The Eastern Conference is packed with talent, featuring the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils, and Carolina Hurricanes. Meanwhile, the Western Conference boasts the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings.

Fans can catch all the playoff action on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and truTV, with streaming options available on platforms like Max, DirecTV, and Fubo. The excitement begins with the St. Louis Blues facing the Winnipeg Jets at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Dallas Stars at 8:30 p.m. ET, both airing on TNT and truTV.

As the playoffs commence, the intensity is palpable. The St. Louis Blues, who secured a wild card spot, will face the formidable Winnipeg Jets, the top team in the Central Division with a remarkable 116 points during the regular season. The Jets clinched the Presidents' Trophy for the first time, marking a significant achievement in their franchise history.

In the other Western matchup, the Colorado Avalanche will battle the Dallas Stars, a series that promises to be a highlight of the first round. Not only are both teams filled with star talent, but the emotional stakes are high as Mikko Rantanen faces his former team, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.

Turning to the Eastern Conference, all eyes will be on Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals as they take on the Montreal Canadiens. Ovechkin, who made history this season by becoming the NHL's all-time career leader in goals scored, is determined to lead his team deep into the playoffs. The Capitals finished the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference, boasting 111 points.

The Ottawa Senators, who have made a remarkable turnaround this season, will face the Toronto Maple Leafs in what promises to be a thrilling matchup. The Maple Leafs finished first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points, making them the favorites in this series. The Senators, however, are hungry for success and will look to upset their rivals.

Another intriguing matchup features the Florida Panthers, the defending champions, against the Tampa Bay Lightning in an all-Florida showdown. The Panthers, who finished third in the Atlantic Division with 98 points, will aim to defend their title against a Lightning team that finished second in the same division with 102 points.

The New Jersey Devils will also be in action, taking on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes, who finished second in the Metropolitan Division with 99 points, are among the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference, just ahead of the Panthers, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

As the playoffs progress, fans can expect an array of high-stakes games filled with drama and excitement. Here’s a look at the full schedule for the opening round:

• Saturday, April 19:



• St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets, 6 PM ET (TNT, truTV, Max)


• Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars, 8:30 PM ET (TNT, truTV, Max)

• New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes, 3 PM ET (ESPN)


• Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 PM ET (ESPN2)


• Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 PM ET (ESPN)

• Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals, 7 PM ET (ESPN)


• St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 PM ET (ESPN2)


• Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars, 9:30 PM ET (ESPN)


• Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, 10 PM ET (ESPN2)

• New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes, 6 PM ET (ESPN)


• Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 PM ET (ESPN2)


• Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 8:30 PM ET (ESPN)


• Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights, 11 PM ET (ESPN)

• Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals, 7 PM ET (ESPN)


• Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 PM ET (ESPN)


• Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, 10 PM ET (TBS, Max)

• Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators, 7 PM ET (ESPN2)


• Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues, 9:30 PM ET (ESPN2)


• Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild, 9 PM ET (TBS, truTV, Max)

• Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens, 7 PM ET (TNT, truTV, Max)


• Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils, 8 PM ET (TBS, Max)


• Kings at Oilers, 10 PM ET (TNT, truTV, Max)

• Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers, 1 PM ET (TBS, truTV, Max)


• Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators, 7 PM ET (TBS, truTV, Max)


• Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 PM ET (TBS, truTV, Max)

• Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues, 1 PM ET (TBS, truTV, Max)


• Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils, 3:30 PM ET (TBS, truTV, Max)


• Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens, 6:30 PM ET (TBS, truTV, Max)


• Kings at Oilers, 9:30 PM ET (TBS, truTV, Max)

The stage is set for what promises to be an exhilarating playoff season. As teams battle for supremacy, fans will be treated to some of the best hockey the NHL has to offer. Will the Capitals and Ovechkin continue their dominance, or will a new champion emerge from the pack? Tune in to find out!