As the NHL regular season winds down, excitement builds for the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs, with teams scrambling for the final playoff spots and seeding. With just a few days left, the playoff picture is becoming clearer, but several teams are still in the hunt for a chance at the coveted Cup.
The regular season concludes on Thursday, April 17, 2025, and the playoffs are set to kick off on Saturday, April 19, 2025. As of Tuesday night, April 15, the Toronto Maple Leafs have officially clinched the top seed in the Atlantic Division after a commanding 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. This triumph not only secured their spot but also set up a first-round matchup against the Ottawa Senators, who are the second wild card team in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning also secured their playoff position, clinching the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division with a decisive 5-1 win against the Florida Panthers. The Lightning will face the Panthers in the opening round, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense playoff series between these two intra-state rivals.
In a thrilling update, the Columbus Blue Jackets kept their playoff hopes alive with a significant 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. However, their fate now hinges on the Montreal Canadiens, who must lose their game on Wednesday, April 16, for Columbus to secure the final wild card spot. As it stands, seven teams from the Eastern Conference have secured their playoff positions, while the Canadiens and Blue Jackets battle for the last spot.
On the other side of the bracket, the Metropolitan Division matchups are shaping up as well. The Carolina Hurricanes will face the New Jersey Devils in a mid-seed series that promises to be competitive. The Hurricanes, known for their cohesive team play, have had a strong season and are looking to make a deep playoff run.
Turning our attention to the Western Conference, all playoff matchups were officially set as of April 15. The Minnesota Wild clinched the first wild card spot after a narrow 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. They will face off against the President's Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets, who finished the season with an impressive 114 points.
The St. Louis Blues also secured their playoff berth with a resounding 5-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club. This victory marked the end of a two-year playoff drought for the Blues, who finished the season with a record of 44-30-8 and secured the second wild card spot with 96 points. They will now face the formidable Winnipeg Jets in the first round.
In a standout performance, the Blues jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first period against Utah, with top prospect Jimmy Snuggerud scoring his first NHL goal. This offensive display was complemented by Jordan Kyrou, who sealed the game with two goals in the third period. Robert Thomas led the Blues in scoring for the season, finishing with 81 points, and goaltender Jordan Binnington wrapped up the regular season with 28 wins and a .900 save percentage.
As the playoffs approach, the Dallas Stars are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup according to DraftKings Sportsbook, boasting odds of -650. However, they face a challenging first-round matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, who are also strong contenders. The Stars have a talented roster but are coming into the playoffs on shaky ground after losing six straight games following an eight-game winning streak.
In the Pacific Division, the Vegas Golden Knights have secured the top seed and will likely face off against the Minnesota Wild in the first round. The Kings, who are set to meet the Edmonton Oilers for the fourth consecutive playoff series, have a tough road ahead. The Oilers have dominated this rivalry, winning each of the last six postseason matchups against the Kings, with Los Angeles' last series victory coming in 1989.
As the NHL prepares for the playoffs, fans are eagerly anticipating the action that lies ahead. With several teams still vying for playoff positions and intriguing matchups on the horizon, the excitement is palpable. The playoffs promise to deliver thrilling hockey as teams battle for the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup.
Stay tuned for more updates as the final days of the regular season unfold and playoff matchups become official. The intensity is about to ramp up as teams prepare for the ultimate test of skill, strategy, and resilience.
