NHL Playoffs 2025 Schedule

Introduction to the 2025 NHL Playoffs

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are just around the corner, with thirteen of the sixteen spots already claimed as the NHL regular season nears its end. The Winnipeg Jets have secured the No. 1 overall seed, winning their first-ever Presidents’ Trophy and aiming to capture their first Stanley Cup championship. The Eastern Conference, led by Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, features the defending champion Florida Panthers, who are seeking to join an exclusive group of repeat champions.

Overview of the Teams

The Eastern Conference bracket includes the defending champion Florida Panthers, while the Western Conference features Connor McDavid and the reigning Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are looking to repeat what the Panthers did last year by rebounding from a Cup Final loss with a championship. Edmonton and Winnipeg are among four teams in the field with a chance to snap Canada’s decades-long Stanley Cup drought.

When Does the NHL Season End?

The final day of the regular season is Thursday, April 17.

When Do the NHL Playoffs Start?

The first playoff games will be held on Saturday, April 19.

How Many Teams Make the NHL Playoffs?

Half of the 32-team league qualifies for the postseason, with eight East teams and eight West squads making up the field. The top three finishers in each of the four divisions earn playoff berths, and the postseason bracket is then rounded out by wild-card berths awarded to the two best remaining teams in each conference.

How Do the NHL Playoffs Work?

Division winners face wild-card teams in the first round. The top-ranked division winner in each conference draws the second-ranked wild-card team, while the second-ranked division faces the top-ranked wild card. The rest of Round 1 pits the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in each division against one another. All NHL postseason series are best of seven, with the higher seed having home-ice advantage in Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.

Do the NHL Playoffs Reseed Teams?

The NHL playoffs feature a bracket format and do not reseed teams after the first round.

What Teams Are in the NHL Playoffs?

The last three remaining playoff berths are all wild card spots. The East’s final spot is down to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens, while the Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues are battling for the West’s two wild card berths.

The NHL Playoff Bracket

A few playoff matchups are already set. Here’s an updated look at the bracket possibilities:

• Eastern Conference:
  • Maple Leafs/Lightning (A1) vs. Senators (WC1)
  • Lightning/Panthers/Maple Leafs (A2) vs. Panthers/Lightning (A3)
  • Capitals (M1) vs. Canadiens/Blue Jackets (WC2)
  • Hurricanes (M2) vs. Devils (M3)
• Western Conference:
  • Jets (C1) vs. Blues/Wild/Flames (WC2)
  • Stars (C2) vs. Avalanche (C3)
  • Golden Knights (P1) vs. Wild/Blues/Flames (WC1)
  • Kings/Oilers (P2) vs. Oilers/Kings (P3)

Schedule for the First Round

The NHL hasn’t released any additional first-round schedule details other than that the postseason gets underway on April 19.

Conclusion

The 2025 NHL playoffs promise to be exciting, with several teams vying for the Stanley Cup. The Winnipeg Jets, as the No. 1 overall seed, are looking to capture their first championship, while the Florida Panthers aim to repeat as champions. With the bracket format and the teams’ current standings, fans can expect intense matchups throughout the postseason.

FAQs

• Q: When do the NHL playoffs start?
  • A: The first playoff games will be held on Saturday, April 19.
• Q: How many teams make the NHL playoffs?
  • A: Half of the 32-team league qualifies for the postseason, with eight East teams and eight West squads.
• Q: Do the NHL playoffs reseed teams?
  • A: No, the NHL playoffs feature a bracket format and do not reseed teams after the first round.
• Q: What is the format of the NHL playoffs?
  • A: The playoffs feature a best-of-seven series, with the higher seed having home-ice advantage in Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.
    
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