As the excitement builds in the hockey world, the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on ESPN, presented by GEICO, have officially kicked off, bringing together 16 teams vying for the most coveted trophy in sports. The playoffs began on Saturday, April 19, 2025, with a full slate of first-round games broadcast across ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN on Disney+, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason.
ESPN's playoff coverage commenced at 6 p.m. ET with a highly anticipated matchup between the St. Louis Blues and the Winnipeg Jets. This marks the first playoff meeting between the two teams since 2019, reigniting memories of their fierce first-round series from that year. Following that matchup, the Dallas Stars faced off against the Colorado Avalanche at 8:30 p.m. ET, renewing a rivalry that has seen these Central Division foes clash in the playoffs multiple times in recent years.
Sunday, April 20, 2025, brought more playoff action, starting with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the New Jersey Devils at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN on Disney+. The matchup is particularly significant as the Hurricanes look to assert their dominance in the Atlantic Division. Later that evening, the Ottawa Senators made their long-awaited return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, going head-to-head with the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET. This high-stakes edition of the Battle of Ontario promises to be a thrilling contest, with Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs looking to spoil the Senators' playoff return.
As the night progressed, the Minnesota Wild took on the Pacific Division champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Both teams have shown impressive performances during the regular season, with each having won once against the other, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
Monday, April 21, 2025, was set to feature a quadruple header, starting with the Montreal Canadiens returning to the postseason after a four-year absence to face the Washington Capitals and their star player, Alex Ovechkin, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Following that, the Winnipeg Jets were back in action against the St. Louis Blues at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN on Disney+. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars were set for a rematch at 9:30 p.m. ET, while the Los Angeles Kings hosted the Edmonton Oilers at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN on Disney+ in what has become a familiar first-round matchup.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, would see the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Florida Panthers at 8:30 p.m. ET, continuing the Atlantic Division rivalry. The first round of the playoffs is scheduled to continue through Thursday, April 24, 2025, with coverage across ESPN platforms.
In addition to the thrilling matchups, ESPN has introduced a unique initiative for fans during the playoffs. Dubbed "Chirpline," this retro-style campaign allows fans to call 1-844-4CHIRPIN to share their views and rants about their favorite NHL teams and the state of the game. ESPN VP of sports marketing, Brian Iglesias, stated, "There’s a heightened fandom during the Stanley Cup Playoffs—any NHL fan will tell you so. We’ve taken inspiration from those gloriously over-the-top ’90s hotline commercials and turned it into an authentic and engaging way for fans to let out all their emotions." Selected messages from the hotline will be showcased across ESPN's social channels and live programming, creating a platform for fan expression during this exciting time.
As the playoffs unfold, ESPN's coverage will be led by Steve Levy, who has been a mainstay at the network since 1993. Levy, alongside NHL legends Mark Messier and P.K. Subban, hosts the pregame and intermission desk on ESPN/ABC hockey broadcasts. With the playoffs underway, Levy shared insights about the demanding schedule the team faces. "Each night is so different," Levy remarked. "We’re going to start at 2:00 P.M. local time with a pregame show, and then we will wrap around three NHL Stanley Cup playoff games. It’s grueling and exciting at the same time. We’re so lucky to have the best seat in hockey really."
Levy also highlighted the importance of preparation for the long nights ahead, especially with potential overtime games. He noted, "Of course we’ll get some crazy west-coast game and I’m sure that’ll be the one game that goes to double or triple overtime that night. So, as P.K. likes to say, that’s a pack a lunch day, but we’ll probably need a lunch, a dinner and a couple extra snacks too. But so much fun. I really think that the people in all sports can agree on one thing that the Stanley Cup playoffs is the best postseason in any sport."
The dynamic between Levy, Messier, and Subban has been a key factor in their success. Levy emphasized the importance of chemistry in their discussions during games, saying, "A lot of that comes from the conversations we have during the period. I know what Messier is hot on. I know what P.K.’s focused on. A mistake by the defenseman or how did he make that play?" This constant communication allows them to provide insightful commentary during intermissions, enhancing the viewing experience for fans.
As the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, hockey fans can expect thrilling matchups, engaging commentary, and a unique platform for expressing their passion for the game. With ESPN at the helm, the excitement of the playoffs is sure to captivate audiences across the nation.
