The NHL's regular season is winding down this week, and the chase for the Stanley Cup is almost here. The New Jersey Devils know they will be facing the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, while the New York Rangers will be watching from the sidelines after getting eliminated from playoff contention this weekend.
As the anticipation builds for the NHL playoffs, fans are eager to know when the action will kick off. The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is set to begin on Saturday, April 19, 2025. This year, the league has structured the playoffs with a familiar format that emphasizes division rivalries and wild card placements.
In terms of the playoff structure, 16 teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The format is a set bracket that is largely division-based with wild cards. The top three teams in each division will make up the first 12 teams in the playoffs. The remaining four spots will be filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference, based on regular-season record and regardless of division. This means it is possible for one division in each conference to send five teams to the postseason while the other sends just three.
Home-ice advantage through the first two rounds goes to the team that placed higher in the regular-season standings. Each of the four rounds is a best-of-seven series, utilizing a 2-2-1-1-1 format; the first team to win four games advances to the next round.
In the first round, the division winner with the best record in each conference will be matched against the wild-card team with the lesser record, while the wild card team with the better record will play the other division winner. The teams finishing second and third in each division will meet within the bracket headed by their respective division winners.
The excitement doesn't stop there, as the NHL playoff tiebreakers are also a hot topic among fans. Last year's Philadelphia Flyers regular-season finale featured an oddity in which they pulled their goalie for an extra skater late in the third period, even though their game with the Washington Capitals was tied. This move backfired, as the Capitals scored an empty-net goal, clinching a playoff spot while the Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated.
The NHL's tiebreaker procedures can be complex. If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, the first tiebreaker is regulation wins, followed by regulation and overtime wins (ROW), total wins, and so on. The goal differential and total goals scored are also considered if necessary.
As of Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Columbus Blue Jackets are in a precarious position. They need to win their final two games in regulation to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Currently, the Montreal Canadiens sit at 89 points after a recent shootout loss, while the Blue Jackets are trailing with 85 points. The Canadiens lead in regulation wins 29-28, which adds pressure on Columbus to secure victories.
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames are all vying for the wild-card spots. The Wild lead with 95 points, followed closely by the Blues at 94 and the Flames at 92. All three teams have crucial games scheduled, and the outcomes will determine their playoff fates. If Calgary wins out and Minnesota loses in overtime or a shootout, they could end up tied in points, but Minnesota would have the advantage in regulation wins and likely secure a playoff spot.
In the Atlantic Division, the Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold the top position with 104 points, while the Tampa Bay Lightning are right behind them with 100 points. Both teams have two games left, and they are tied in regulation wins at 40. For the Lightning to clinch the division title, they would need to win their final two games, while the Maple Leafs would need to lose theirs in regulation, creating a tense finish to the regular season.
The final day of the regular season is set for Thursday, April 17, 2025, and with the playoffs just around the corner, every game counts. The Stanley Cup Final is expected to start in late May or early June and can end no later than Monday, June 23, 2025. Fans are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating postseason filled with drama, excitement, and, of course, the quest for the coveted Stanley Cup.
As the playoffs approach, broadcasters are preparing to bring fans all the action. ESPN, ABC, and TNT will air all of the Stanley Cup playoff games in the United States, ensuring that every thrilling moment is accessible to fans across the country.
In summary, the NHL playoffs are set to begin on April 19, with the New Jersey Devils facing the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. The final regular-season games will determine the playoff picture, and the tiebreakers will play a crucial role in deciding which teams advance. With so much at stake, the excitement is palpable as hockey fans await the start of the postseason.
