Take a breath, hockey fans — you’ve earned it. The opening round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs was a week‑long slapshot to the senses. We got everything: double‑overtime chaos in Winnipeg, vintage Alexander Ovechkin celebrations, and a Battle of Ontario that reminded everyone why these rivalries deserve their own national holidays. When the horn finally sounded on Sunday night, eight squads were left standing, sticks raised, and hands shaking (sometimes reluctantly) at center ice.

The final eight looks familiar at the top — the Presidents’ Trophy‑winning Winnipeg Jets (116 points) and the East’s best, the Washington Capitals, handled business — but the path here was anything but routine. From the Panthers swatting aside Tampa like a pesky housefly to Dallas flipping Game 7 on its head in record‑book fashion, Round 1 felt less like a bracket and more like bumper cars.

Atlantic Division

Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2 — The Battle Is Back

Toronto came out flying and took a commanding 3–0 series lead, and for a minute there, it looked like they were finally going to make it easy on their fans. But this is the Leafs we’re talking about — no one in Southern Ontario was getting comfortable just yet.

Sure enough, Ottawa made it weird. The Senators punched back with wins in Games 4 and 5, turning a runaway series into a nail-biter and triggering every playoff-related trauma Leafs fans have buried over the past two decades.

Still, give the Sens credit — they didn’t just show up, they brought a real fight. Led by captain Brady Tkachuk and fueled by a fearless young group, Ottawa refused to roll over. And for a team that hadn’t seen playoff hockey since 2017, they pushed the Leafs to the edge. The energy was chaotic, the fanbases were fully activated, and the Battle of Ontario suddenly felt like a legitimate rivalry again.

Game 6 was veteran execution at its finest. Max Pacioretty, who the Leafs brought in for exactly this kind of moment, buried the late winner. William Nylander, who was almost left off the lineup card because of a bizarre clerical error involving his brother Alex, showed exactly why you double-check the sheet — two goals, three points, and the heartbeat of that closeout win. Auston Matthews tacked on a goal of his own, and Anthony Stolarz held down the net with 21 saves. Crisis averted.

This win mattered more than just advancing. Since 2004, the Leafs had only escaped the first round once. That kind of baggage doesn’t disappear overnight. But this time, instead of spiraling after a couple of bad games, they rallied. That’s a mindset shift under new coach Craig Berube that’s hard to ignore.

For Ottawa, the season ends in disappointment — but not defeat. They proved they belong, and Tkachuk’s emotion after the Game 6 loss said it all: they’re hurt, but they’re coming. And next time, they might not just be tagging along for the ride.

Panthers 4, Lightning 1 — The Champs Stay Hungry

Florida took this series personally. They didn’t just beat Tampa; they neutralized them. The Lightning’s power play, usually a reliable weapon, looked completely lost — 2-for-18 over five games. That kind of futility is hard to watch when you're used to seeing Stamkos and Kucherov light it up. And it wasn’t just the special teams. The Panthers clamped down everywhere, holding a talented Lightning squad to just 12 goals total.

Game 5 was a blowout both on the ice and on the scoresheet, and Eetu Luostarinen made sure no one would forget it. The Finnish forward racked up a goal and three assists in a performance that was somehow both flashy and under the radar — just the way Florida likes it. That four-point night set a franchise record for road playoff production, and it was exactly the kind of depth contribution that separates the contenders from the rest.

And then there’s Matthew Tkachuk. Limping? Maybe. Less effective? Not really. He finished with five points and the kind of edge you want in your lineup during the postseason. His fingerprints were all over this series — stirring the pot, making plays, and reminding everyone that Florida’s success last year wasn’t a fluke.

Even Lightning coach Jon Cooper admitted it: Florida is an exceptional team. But for them, this loss cuts deep. Three straight first-round exits is not what this core is built for. This is a team that used to pencil in deep playoff runs like clockwork, and suddenly they’re heading home early again. Victor Hedman said it felt closer than last year, but the scoreboard disagrees.

Metropolitan Division

Capitals 4, Canadiens 1 — Ovi Is Still Ovi

After five straight playoff exits, there was a heavy cloud hanging over the Capitals heading into Round 1. That disappeared real fast once Alex Ovechkin—yes, still doing it at 39—ripped home his first-ever playoff overtime winner in Game 1. The celebration said it all: Ovi’s still got gas in the tank, and the Caps were ready to remind people they’re not just a feel-good story from 2018.

From there, it was all business. Washington never looked rattled, never looked overwhelmed. Dylan Strome, who’s somehow still flying under the radar, led the team with nine points in five games—consistently stepping up when they needed a jolt. In net, Logan Thompson was steady as can be, posting a .923 save percentage and looking completely unfazed. He didn’t need to steal games, but he made the timely saves that killed momentum before it could build.

And then there was Tom Wilson. Love him or hate him, he’s the emotional lightning rod for this group — and still one of the most impactful players in the league. In Game 4, the Caps were lifeless. Flat-footed. Going through the motions. Then Wilson delivered a massive open-ice hit, and it was like someone flipped a switch. The energy shifted, the crowd roared, and Washington found its heartbeat again. It was one of those playoff moments that didn’t show up on the stat sheet, but you knew it changed everything.

Wilson appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and talked about what makes this group so dominant on the ice:

We obviously had the core and the culture from the last 10 years or so, but there’s some new pieces that have really complemented us well. And they’re great guys — they’re characters. Our room is just an absolute clown show on most days... It just makes it really fun to come to the rink, and I think when the game gets tough, you really see that... And I think that’s what makes us dangerous this year — just a really solid foundation and a solid group.

Montreal showed flashes, but they were clearly outgunned. Young captain Nick Suzuki summed it up well after the series: momentum changes everything, and Washington just had a better feel for when to press and when to protect.

Hurricanes 4, Devils 1 — Same Storm, Same Result

Carolina doesn’t just win playoff series — they dismantle you with relentless pressure and leave you wondering how the ice always seemed tilted. The Hurricanes made it seven series wins this round, and they did it their way: fast, physical, and suffocating.

New Jersey came in with talent, no question. But they never found a rhythm, and they definitely never found the back of the net on the power play. They went a brutal 0-for-15 with the man advantage, and against a team like Carolina, that’s practically a death sentence. The Hurricanes' penalty kill was perfect, led by smart positioning, active sticks, and guys like Jaccob Slavin sacrificing the body every chance they got.

Losing Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon on the back end didn’t help the Devils, either. They looked thinner and more reactive without them, and that’s not a good combo against a forecheck like the Canes have. Combine that with Sebastian Aho having himself a series — eight points in five games — and it’s no surprise the they took control.

Game 5 really said it all. Down 3–0, there was no panic. Carolina just kept coming, tied it, and then won it in double overtime. Pyotr Kochetkov had to step in after Frederik Andersen went down with injury, and he handled it like a pro.

Central Division

Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT) — Edge‐of‐Seat Stuff

Name a crueler way to lose than giving up the tying goal with just 1.6 seconds left in regulation? You can’t — and St. Louis sure won’t forget it anytime soon. The Blues were that close to pulling off the upset of the playoffs, but Cole Perfetti had other ideas.

The Jets forward snuck in the equalizer at the buzzer — literally — and sent Canada Life Centre into a frenzy. Overtime was electric, and by the time Adam Lowry redirected the game-winner in double OT, the building was shaking like it was the Cup Final.

This series had everything: momentum swings, goalie drama, and a Game 7 finish that will live in Winnipeg fans' minds forever. And let’s not forget — this is a Jets team that won the Presidents’ Trophy. They were supposed to cruise. Instead, they got punched in the mouth and had to respond, and they did it while missing two of their biggest names in Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey. 

Connor Hellebuyck had a rocky series — he got pulled three times on the road — but when it mattered most, he found his game. Neal Pionk was an absolute workhorse. He logged over 46 minutes in Game 7, a team record, and was on the ice for what felt like the entire game. You don’t survive that kind of series without guts, and the Jets showed plenty.

When you're the top seed, people don't care about your regular season. They want to see if you can handle the chaos of playoff hockey. Winnipeg proved they can take a shot and come back swinging.

Stars 4, Avalanche 3 — Rantanen Rewrites History

Down 2–0 in the third period of Game 7 on the road, the Stars looked like they were headed for the offseason. Colorado had the crowd, the momentum, and the lead. But Mikko Rantanen wasn't going to let it all end like that. With just over 15 minutes left, he took the game over in a way few players ever do in that kind of moment.

First, he buries one to make it 2–1 and give Dallas some life. Then, with the clock ticking down, he sets up Wyatt Johnston for the equalizer. To add to all that, because two huge plays wasn’t enough, he scores the go-ahead goal and then follows it with an empty-netter to complete a third-period hat trick. It was one of those performances where everything slows down, and it feels like one guy is just playing at a different speed.

Colorado, who’ve now lost seven straight Game 7s, didn’t know what hit them. They looked stunned. They had the game in their hands and then — poof — Rantanen happened. Jake Oettinger, who’s seen plenty in net, called it “one of the best individual performances I’ve seen.” And he’s not exaggerating.

Meanwhile, Pete DeBoer’s Game 7 magic continues. The Stars coach moved to a perfect 9–0 in Game 7s. That’s not luck. That’s preparation, poise, and a belief that no moment is too big. And it’s rubbing off on his team.

Pacific Division

Golden Knights 4, Wild 2 — Businesslike Knights

Vegas handled their business like a team that’s been here before — and that’s because they have. The Golden Knights didn’t just win the series; they controlled the tempo and avoided the kind of drama that’s been chewing up flashier teams this postseason. They weren’t perfect, but they never looked like they were in danger either.

Jack Eichel finally broke through in Game 6 with a goal that helped seal the deal, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Eichel’s a big-moment guy, and even though he wasn’t lighting it up early, you got the sense that once he got going, Vegas would only get more dangerous. In net, Adin Hill was solid — finishing with a 4–2 record and making the kind of saves that calm everyone down. He didn’t have to stand on his head, but he made the stops you need from your goalie in a close series.

Vegas absolutely dominated the dot, winning over 52% of faceoffs, which might not sound flashy but speaks volumes about puck control and possession. In playoff hockey, that matters. A lot. Bruce Cassidy knows this too well. He talked about how his stars grew into the series, and it was true — you could see them finding their rhythm and leaning into their roles more as the games wore on.

The Knights didn’t blow anyone away, but they never let the Wild feel like they had a real shot either. That’s what veteran, playoff-tested teams do. Two years removed from hoisting the Cup, Vegas still plays with that same quiet confidence — and it shows.

Oilers 4, Kings 2 — The Same Old Chapter

For the fourth straight year, the Kings ran into the Oilers in Round 1 — and for the fourth straight year, they came up short. It looked like L.A. might finally flip the script after jumping out to a 2–0 series lead. The vibes were good, the forecheck was working, and the Oilers looked like a team trying to find their footing. But then the big guns got going, and it was all Edmonton from there.

Connor McDavid turned on the jets, finishing the series with 11 points. Leon Draisaitl wasn’t far behind with 10 of his own. When those two start clicking, you can feel the momentum shift. Suddenly, every shift felt dangerous and every possession looked like it might end in a goal.

But the real turning point might’ve come in net. Stuart Skinner struggled out of the gate, and it wasn’t working. So the Oilers turned to Calvin Pickard, who not only stabilized things — he won four straight starts. For a team that’s had its share of goaltending questions over the years, that move gave them the balance they needed.

On the back end, Evan Bouchard kept doing his thing, putting up seven points from the blue line and quarterbacking the power play with confidence. It’s not just the stars up front — guys like Bouchard are the ones who turn strong teams into actual contenders.

For L.A., this has to be exhausting. They’ve given Edmonton a fight before, and this year they even had a two-game cushion. But once again, Anze Kopitar and the Kings were stuck in the handshake line earlier than they’d hoped.

The Oilers’ stars can cover for a lot, but that won’t get easier as the rounds go on. Still, this was the kind of response that builds belief — and maybe, just maybe, a deeper run is finally coming.

Round 2 Preview: Storylines We Can’t Wait For

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers

Two years ago, the Panthers steamrolled the Leafs in five and sent Toronto into another offseason of what-ifs. It was lopsided, frustrating, and yet another chapter in the Leafs’ book of playoff heartbreak. But this time around, things feel different. Toronto might still have those scars, but they’ve also picked up some much-needed swagger along the way — and it showed right away in Game 1.

The Leafs came out flying, with William Nylander scoring just 33 seconds in. That kind of quick strike set the tone in a 5-4 win that was anything but calm. There was energy, chaos, and even a goalie scare — Anthony Stolarz left the game after a collision, forcing Toronto to dig deeper in net. Still, they held off the Panthers and took the early edge.

This series is going to be about style clashes. Toronto brings the firepower with guys like Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Tavares who are all capable of taking over a game. But Florida's relentless. Their forecheck doesn’t let you breathe — it’s like getting swarmed by hornets every time you try to break the puck out. That’s what frustrated Tampa in the first round, and now it’s Toronto’s turn to deal with it.

Special teams are going to be massive. Florida’s penalty kill was lights-out against the Lightning, shutting down one of the better units in the league. But Toronto’s power play looked sharp against Ottawa, especially with the puck movement up top. It’s strength vs. strength, and whoever wins that battle might win the series.

Capitals vs. Hurricanes

This matchup comes with some history — and a bit of bad blood. These teams last met in the playoffs back in 2019, and let’s just say it didn’t take long for Andrei Svechnikov and Tom Wilson to get acquainted the old-fashioned way. That series went seven games and ended in double OT, and even though the names on the jerseys have shifted a bit, the intensity hasn’t.

The biggest storyline this time? Goaltending. Carolina’s Frederik Andersen is banged up, and while Pyotr Kochetkov filled in just fine in Round 1, leaning on him for a full series against a dangerous Washington offense is a big ask. If Andersen can’t go or isn't at full strength, things could get dicey fast.

On the other side, Washington’s penalty kill was a bit of a mess against Montreal — they gave up goals on a third of the Canadiens' power plays, and that's not going to fly against a Carolina team that scored six power-play goals in five games. If the Caps can’t tighten that up, it’s going to be a long series.

Still, you can never count out Washington when Alex Ovechkin is lurking on the power play. That one-timer from his office is still one of the most dangerous weapons in hockey. It only takes one to change a game, and he’s made a career out of proving that.

Stars vs. Jets

Winnipeg took three of four against the Stars in the regular season, but the playoffs are a different beast — and this Dallas team isn’t quite the same one they saw earlier in the year. That’s mostly thanks to Mikko Rantanen, who arrived at the deadline and immediately started turning games on their head.

Fresh off one of the wildest Game 7 performances we’ve seen in years, Rantanen is the kind of player who can flip a series on his own. If he keeps up that level, it changes the whole equation.

Then there’s the goalie matchup, which is about as good as it gets. Jake Oettinger is sitting at a .911 save percentage and has that calm, big-game energy every team wants in the crease. Connor Hellebuyck, on the other hand, had a rough first round — his 3.85 GAA tells the story — but he’s a guy who can bounce back in a heartbeat. The question is whether he can find that level again against a Dallas squad that just scored 18 goals in their last four games.

Injuries are a big part of the story too. Both teams are banged up. Dallas is hoping to get Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen back to full strength, while Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey could swing the series if either — or both — can suit up. If Scheifele returns and plays like his old self, it adds a whole new wrinkle for Dallas to deal with.

Golden Knights vs. Oilers

There’s some unfinished business here. Two years ago, the Golden Knights knocked the Oilers out in the second round and went on to win the whole thing. That loss stung for Edmonton — not just because of how it ended, but because they believed they were good enough to go the distance. Now they get a shot at payback, and you can bet this one’s going to be spicy.

Vegas still does a lot of little things right. They control faceoffs, they play a responsible brand of hockey, and they have a deep lineup that rarely gets rattled. But containing Connor McDavid when he hits full speed? That’s a different challenge entirely.

The goaltending storyline is once again at the forefront for Edmonton. Stuart Skinner got yanked in Round 1, and Calvin Pickard stepped in and went 4–0. He was solid, but can he keep that up against a deeper, more structured Vegas team? That’s the question that could define the series. On the flip side, Adin Hill is steady for Vegas, but he’s not exactly unbeatable either.

Keep an eye on Evan Bouchard. The Oilers defenseman had seven points in the first round and continues to be a sneaky difference-maker on the power play and in transition. Vegas will be looking to key on him every time McDavid and Draisaitl hop the boards, because if he gets too much space, things open up fast.

The Chaos Is Just Getting Started

Round 1 reminded us why playoff hockey is the best kind of chaos — just ask the Blues, who were 1.6 seconds from glory. As we roll into Round 2, we’ve got rematches steeped in bad blood, first‑time showdowns loaded with star power, and enough goaltending question marks to make every fan base reach for the Tums.

You don’t need to be a hockey expert to know Round 2 is about to be a grind. So carve out some time, toss on your go-to playoff hoodie, and buckle in. If Round 1 was any indication, the wild ride is only just beginning.