Stanley Cup playoffs mega-preview: Stanley Cup circumstances, X elements, daring predictions for all 16 groups

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are right here! Not like in some current years, the bracket was recognized a number of days upfront, because the Montreal Canadiens clinched the ultimate spot — and a first-round matchup towards Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. In the meantime, the Atlantic Division lined up for the Battle of Ontario (Toronto Maple Leafs-Ottawa Senators) and Battle of Florida (Tampa Bay Lightning-Florida Panthers).

Within the West, the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets open towards the resurgent St. Louis Blues, whereas Mikko Rantanen and the Dallas Stars face his former crew, the Colorado Avalanche. And for the fourth straight postseason, the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers sq. off in Spherical 1.

We have got all of the angles lined to get you prepared for the playoffs as ESPN hockey reporters Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton check out every of the 16 postseason groups, providing the explanations every crew might win all of it, together with the largest X issue, gamers to look at and a daring prediction for each crew.

Word: Profiles for the Atlantic and Metropolitan playoff brackets have been written by Shilton, whereas Clark analyzed the Central and Pacific golf equipment. Additionally notice that wild-card groups are listed in response to the playoff bracket during which they’re enjoying (so the Canadiens are within the Metro, and the Minnesota Wild are within the Pacific).

Stats are collected from websites akin to Pure Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey.

Full schedule
Bracket, schedule
Contender flaws

Atlantic Division

File: 52-26-4, 108 factors
First-round opponent: Senators

Case for a Stanley Cup run: If not now … when? The Maple Leafs are arguably the deepest, most full crew they have been within the Core 4 (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander) period. First-year coach Craig Berube’s north-south fashion took some getting used to, however the Leafs have thrived in it. Toronto is prime 10 in league scoring with out being top-heavy. The celebs (particularly Marner and Tavares) are pumping in targets, however the Leafs get strong contributions all through the lineup.

Defensively, Toronto has buckled down, permitting fewer than three targets per sport and their top-four rotation is stronger than ever. And the Leafs’ goaltending? Locked in, with Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll each pulling their weight as a tandem of No. 1s with a collective .916 save share.

X issue: The Leafs have severe postseason demons to beat. How a lot does Toronto’s historical past of first-round failure grasp over the crew going into one other playoffs? The Leafs have principally been via it all of the previous decade — they’ve earned sequence leads and blown them, come again from the brink (and nonetheless fallen quick) and skilled each excessive and low in between.

The assumption that Toronto cannot solely get via one spherical, however many rounds, has to start out with the gamers. And for some cause, that swaggering confidence the Leafs have within the common season dies out like a candle within the wind by playoffs. How Toronto manages its feelings and permits this season to be its personal journey — with out affect from previous failings — might decide simply what number of days or perhaps weeks this postseason lasts.

Participant to look at: Marner. The Leafs’ prime winger has had a sensational common season, pacing his membership with 26 targets and 99 factors. Marner should translate that success to the postseason and in a well timed style. Marner has 11 targets and 50 factors in 58 postseason tilts thus far, however what’s usually been missing are well timed contributions, these big-time performs at important moments. The Leafs have seen alternative slip away when their finest gamers like Marner (and Matthews) cannot produce. It is a contract 12 months for Marner, too. An impactful playoff efficiency might add some severe {dollars} onto his subsequent deal.

Daring prediction: The Leafs sweep their option to a first-round sequence win and do not look again. Toronto bullies the competitors en path to a Stanley Cup Closing look.

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File: 47-27-8, 102 factors
First-round opponent: Panthers

Case for a Stanley Cup run: It is easy to quote Tampa Bay’s current success as the explanation it might add one other banner to the rafters. However this Lightning crew is constructed in another way. Tampa Bay is not only counting on its elite objective scorers (ahem, Nikita Kucherov) to hold the day. The Lightning are nicely established defensively, and that is been a driver of their success the second half of this season. Since Feb. 1, Tampa has allowed the sixth-fewest targets within the league (2.40), with a powerful top-10 penalty kill (80.3%).

Andrei Vasilevskiy has been terrific within the crease, amassing the second-most wins amongst league starters (37) with a .921 save share and a couple of.20 goals-against common. Oh, and Kucherov? He solely leads the league in scoring with 37 targets and 121 factors. With Jon Cooper — contemporary off guiding Canada to victory on the 4 Nations Face-Off — managing this lineup, the sky is the restrict for Tampa Bay.

X issue: The Lightning have enviable scoring expertise in Kucherov, Jake Guentzel (40 targets), Brayden Level (41 targets) and Brandon Hagel (35). However does Tampa have the depth to compete when offense is at a premium? Up to now it has been unsung heroes like Nick Paul who come via when the Lightning’s finest skaters are neutralized.

This season, most of Tampa Bay’s output is coming from a handful of outstanding gamers. The Lightning’s potential to faucet into the facility of their backside six can be important. That does not negate how sturdy Tampa Bay’s protection has been or the profit in having Vasilevskiy again there guarding the cage. It is only a actuality within the postseason that star contributions dwindle and must be supplemented from elsewhere.

Participant to look at: Victor Hedman. The Lightning’s prime blueliner took over his crew’s captaincy when Steven Stamkos left in free company. Retaining Tampa Bay even-keeled within the postseason will fall on him. Hedman performs greater than 23 minutes per sport in each scenario and it usually seems like the place he goes, the Lightning observe. Setting that instance once more and guaranteeing Tampa Bay does not lose monitor of its freshly ingrained defensive mindset will give the Lightning their finest likelihood of an extended spring.

Daring prediction: Tampa Bay’s scoring stars are silenced early within the first spherical. Each sport is determined by a single objective and finally the Lightning fall in six to face a swift summer season break.

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File: 47-31-4, 98 factors
First-round opponent: Lightning

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Who desires to wager towards the reigning Stanley Cup champions? Particularly when it is a Florida crew that reached the ultimate the 12 months earlier than lastly incomes the franchise’s first title.

The Panthers are seasoned winners. They know what it takes to navigate the bodily and emotional toll of an extended playoff run. That is not simple. However Florida’s potential to repeat goes past what they’ve proven previously. This season’s Panthers are stingy (giving up simply 2.72 targets per sport), placing (significantly with their Twelfth-ranked energy play) and seemingly deep as ever (with 5 20-plus objective scorers). Contemplating Florida may also have Aaron Ekblad again from a 20-game suspension and Matthew Tkachuk coming back from harm by the postseason? Be careful.

X issue: Will fatigue develop into an element for Florida after two straight quick summers? The Panthers did climate some harm points down the stretch of this season, however their file over the previous month (at simply 10-10-1) and downturn in scoring manufacturing (thirty second with solely 2.19 targets per sport) suggests the Panthers might be feeling the results of restricted downtime. They would not be the primary champions to undergo it, both. What is going to play a task in Florida’s success — or failure — is the way it manages the inevitable put on and tear of this season with any lingering weariness.

Participant to look at: Seth Jones. The Panthers will not have Ekblad again till Recreation 3 of their first-round sequence. That places extra stress on Jones — together with the Panthers’ whole again finish — to maintain stepping up in his absence. Jones has already taken on a bigger position than Florida doubtless anticipated when buying and selling for him due to Ekblad’s suspension; he paces the crew in ice time at practically 25 minutes per sport. However Jones is brief on postseason expertise — he hasn’t skated within the playoffs since 2020 — and he can be counted upon to have a major impression from the again finish. Florida will discover out quick if he is as much as the duty.

Daring prediction: The Panthers depend on physicality and defensive effort to get previous the primary spherical, however with out sufficient scoring, they’re swept out of the second spherical into an early offseason.

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File: 45-30-7, 97 factors
First-round opponent: Maple Leafs

Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Senators have been underrated for an excessive amount of of this season. It is within the playoffs that they will show why. Ottawa’s protection is vastly improved — permitting simply 2.80 targets per sport — and it offers up fewer than 30 pictures per sport. First-year starter Linus Ullmark has been sensational for the Senators in internet (with a .911 SV% and a couple of.67 GAA) and deserves ample credit score for the place Ottawa is, but it surely’s the total crew buy-in that is made a real distinction.

The Senators are stacked with scoring skills — headlined by Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk — and deep on the again finish, the place a terrific Jake Sanderson is having his personal unheralded marketing campaign. The Senators have endured sufficient frustration in current seasons to be barely hardened, too. There is a perception that that is their second and the time has come to point out it.

X issue: How will Ottawa leverage its particular groups within the playoffs, particularly within the first spherical? The Senators have a strong energy play (23.5%) and respectable penalty kill (77.9%). Will they benefit from these items? That is the primary postseason expertise for all of Ottawa’s most essential skaters, and it might be pure to attempt to do an excessive amount of to have an effect.

The Senators know (logically) to keep away from that getting into. Simpler mentioned than executed. Even-strength scoring dries up shortly within the postseason. Ottawa’s key openings might be with the additional man — and its energy play has been significantly good in current weeks (in comparison with their first-round opponent’s penalty kill, which has not). The Senators should personal the particular groups battle as finest they will.

Participant to look at: Tkachuk. The captain has been sidelined since March 30 with an upper-body harm, however he’s anticipated to be again at full power for the postseason. Will that be the case? It is powerful sufficient stepping again in from an ailment at any time of 12 months; rust is inevitable after sitting out 11 video games. However the Senators want Tkachuk’s contributions out of the gate to match up with the star energy Toronto will wield. Tkachuk led the Senators with 29 targets this season and he is the spark plug on their energy play. Little doubt all eyes in Canada’s capital can be watching to see if Tkachuk’s harm will impression what he can do right away.

Daring prediction: Ottawa offers its all within the first spherical, however an avalanche of rookie errors provew too expensive to beat. The Senators cannot rating when it counts and are swept from the primary spherical.

Metropolitan Division

File: 51-22-9, 111 factors
First-round opponent: Canadiens

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Washington was the primary crew this season to clinch a playoff spot. And the Capitals might simply be the final one standing, too. They’re dynamic offensively (averaging the second most targets within the league), play a good defensive sport (giving up fewer than three targets per night time), have a lights-out goaltender in Logan Thompson (proprietor of a .910 SV% and a couple of.49 GAA) and have the NHL’s all-time main objective scorer Alex Ovechkin hanging out in his workplace. What extra might the Capitals probably must push their manner towards a championship?

Spencer Carbery has rightfully earned Jack Adams chatter for the best way he is constructed this Washington crew into a real contender. There aren’t many flaws to select at if you’ve proven the kind of consistency this crew has. Washington’s skids have been few and much between, and it has not often misplaced two in a row. That regular-season success ought to segue properly into what’s subsequent.

X issue: It is true Washington has a dependable No. 1 in Thompson — however he might not be out there to start out the postseason whereas rehabbing an upper-body harm. The Capitals have leaned on Charlie Lindgren in Thompson’s stead and undertaking to maintain doing so till Thompson is wholesome.

Will Lindgren be capable to stand tall early within the first spherical? Lindgren (.896 SV%, 2.73 GAA) hasn’t produced the identical numbers as Thompson (.910 SV%, 2.49 GAA). All of a sudden, goaltending turns into a severe potential roadblock for Washington. If the Capitals need to see their season prolonged for weeks — and never days — they’re going to must assist Lindgren much more than they’d Thompson with a defense-first mindset. As a result of even with the likes of Ovechkin up entrance, it is practically inconceivable to outscore your individual defensive woes come the playoffs.

Participant to look at: Tom Wilson. There’s one thing about Wilson and the postseason. He is all the time been the Capitals’ heavy, however there’s an additional pep in Wilson’s step when the playoffs roll round. He’ll make the opposite crew uncomfortable, getting below guys’ pores and skin and customarily inflicting the type of chaos that may throw issues off. Washington wants that power. The Capitals have loads of finesse elsewhere, and whereas Wilson can rating with the perfect of them — he has 33 targets this season, in spite of everything — it is the additional punch (typically actually) Wilson can present that makes him a standout this time of 12 months.

Daring prediction: Washington’s offense is slowed within the first spherical when Ovechkin fails to attain a single objective. Its heated second-round sequence ends in frustration when Washington’s protection cannot maintain up and it’s despatched packing.

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File: 47-30-5, 99 factors
First-round opponent: Devils

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Carolina has its identification and sticks to it. The Hurricanes are a perennial contender as a result of they’re elite at 5-on-5, constantly stifle their opponents (by permitting the fewest pictures within the league), whereas concurrently making the competitors uncomfortable (by peppering within the second-most pictures on objective this season). Carolina has improved its play off the push and stays as stout as ever on protection. It has acquired sturdy goaltending from Frederik Andersen (.907 SV%, 2.29 GAA) and has the league’s finest penalty kill.

It has been Carolina’s defensive particulars that set it aside, and people are by no means extra precious than within the playoffs. The Hurricanes have additionally leaned on a breakout offensive efficiency from Seth Jarvis. (He has a team-leading 32 targets.) Carolina has executed the work to set itself up for fulfillment.

X issue: Is Carolina deep sufficient to really go deep within the playoffs? The Hurricanes do a superb job offensively of producing alternatives, however too usually aren’t cashing in on them from sufficient gamers all through the lineup. If Carolina can rely solely on Jarvis and Sebastian Aho to constantly gentle the lamp then they develop into a neater crew to select off (particularly contemplating their energy play is twenty sixth within the league, at 18.6%).

And what in regards to the goaltending depth? Andersen has been good since getting back from harm, however his younger accomplice Pyotr Kochetkov has struggled (.898 SV%, 2.59 GAA). Andersen is all the time vulnerable to getting damage and Carolina can be in lesser palms with Kochetkov taking up the crease. How the Hurricanes reply to potential adversities — and who can fill within the gaps — is vital.

Participant to look at: Logan Stankoven. Carolina might not have Mikko Rantanen anymore, but it surely does have a participant who got here on board when Rantanen was traded to Dallas. Stankoven, a rookie, has been a powerful match for the Hurricanes, with 5 targets and eight factors in 17 video games. And it seems like he is hitting a stride on the proper time. Stankoven can create possibilities for himself and teammates with an underrated playmaking potential and he is an power man, too. That may go a good distance within the shut, tense video games that Carolina tasks to seek out itself in quickly sufficient.

Daring prediction: Regardless of Carolina’s determined edge within the first spherical, it falters too many occasions to get better. The Hurricanes fail to advance for the primary time since 2020 and for simply the second time below coach Rod Brind’Amour.

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File: 42-33-7, 91 factors
First-round opponent: Hurricanes

Case for a Stanley Cup run: New Jersey has the elements to be a shock success story within the postseason. The Devils’ particular groups are among the many league’s finest, with a third-ranked energy play (28%) and second-ranked penalty kill (82.4%). New Jersey is hard to crack throughout although, permitting the fifth-fewest targets this season (2.65) and sixth-fewest pictures (26.3).

The Devils’ strong goalie tandem of Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen ought to go away them feeling assured that whoever is again there can be steering sufficient pucks apart. And if New Jersey could make life laborious on the opponent and put on them down with a powerful defensive effort, then it should take a few of the sting out of not having prime scorer Jack Hughes out there as a result of harm.

X issue: All of that mentioned, Hughes is not simply replaceable (as we have seen in New Jersey’s struggles since Hughes underwent surgical procedure in March). The Devils are thirtieth in 5-on-5 scoring with out Hughes, and changing his contributions within the playoffs is important to how far they will advance. Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt are averaging over some extent per sport following Hughes’ departure, and having Dougie Hamilton again for the playoffs ought to assist generate extra scoring alternatives from the again finish.

The primary spherical will pit New Jersey towards a sturdy defensive membership in Carolina. It’s going to take all of the firepower these Devils can muster to make up for Hughes’ absence and each single alternative to make use of that vaunted energy play cannot be taken without any consideration.

Participant to look at: Hischier. It is easy for Hischier to fly below the radar when Hughes is round. Now, contemplate Hischier within the highlight. His potential as a two-way middle will carry the Devils’ top-heavy assault, however Hischier may also have a goal on his again. In the end, slowing him down will make New Jersey that rather more one-dimensional. How Hischier handles the hurricane forward will determine whether or not the Devils sink or swim.

Daring prediction: New Jersey performs quick and free and it pays off towards a stiff Carolina crew within the first spherical. The Devils glide via the second spherical as one of many playoffs’ finest offensive groups and wind up one other Cinderella story (this time, playoff version).

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File: 40-31-11, 91 factors
First-round opponent: Capitals

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Montreal discovered its mojo on the proper second. Who would have thought because the Canadiens endured a five-game slide via the top of March that they’d observe it up with six straight wins to place a playoff berth again on the desk?

The postseason is all about momentum and confidence. The Canadiens might have wanted a number of additional video games to finally safe their spot however what does Montreal must lose, actually? Whereas different golf equipment are saddled with stress to win now, the Canadiens can actually be pleased simply having their seat on the social gathering. And that is an excellent factor.

Montreal stepped up within the second half of this season, averaging over three targets per sport since late February whereas permitting fewer than three throughout the road. Nick Suzuki has averaged over some extent per sport, and Cole Caufield has collected a powerful 37 targets. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson is having a Calder Trophy-worthy season, and the Canadiens have repeatedly proven they’ve sound depth. Montreal has made it this far. There’s cause to consider it might probably preserve the nice occasions rolling.

X issue: The Canadiens can be taking up a high-flying Washington crew out of the gate. Can Montreal’s goaltending preserve issues from getting out of hand? Sam Montembeault was nice throughout that five-game stretch to place the Canadiens in playoff place, and he, like the remainder of the crew, was higher within the season’s second half. Now, Montreal simply wants Montembeault to carry the Capitals’ elite offense at bay lengthy sufficient for the Canadiens’ personal snipers to get on the board. Montembeault has carried a heavy load already for Montreal this 12 months (with 60 begins) and his stats are good (.901 SV% and a couple of.83 GAA). The Canadiens will want greatness from their goaltenders in the event that they anticipate to maneuver on.

Participant to look at: Ivan Demidov. Identify the final participant who arrived in Montreal to Demidov-level fanfare? (We’ll wait). Seems, although, the hype was actual. Demidov stepped into his first NHL sport final week and was on the scoresheet with a objective and an help. Montreal might have misplaced that night time to Chicago, however Demidov was an simple enhance for the group as they looked for that eventual clinching victory. And contemplating how unfazed Demidov seems on the NHL degree, it’s going to be fascinating to see what he can present for Montreal within the postseason.

Daring prediction: Montreal takes Recreation 1 to win their first playoff sport in 4 years and put some doubt into the Capitals. The Canadiens maintain off Ovechkin the complete manner in a six-game sequence they finally lose.

Central Division

File: 56-22-4, 116 factors
First-round opponent: Blues

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Few groups are as full because the Jets have been this season, one during which they received the Presidents’ Trophy for the league’s finest file. They took a step ahead of their evolution within the first season below Scott Arniel, who was an affiliate coach with the Jets for the previous two campaigns.

They get constant offensive contributions from their ahead strains, whereas additionally getting scoring from defensemen. Their defensive construction is among the many finest within the league at limiting scoring possibilities, whereas they’ve what is perhaps a future Corridor of Famer in Connor Hellebuyck in internet.

X issue: Can their regular-season continuity translate to playoff success? That is, as soon as once more, the largest query dealing with the Jets heading into the postseason. They received 52 video games final season, confronted the Avalanche within the first spherical — and have been eradicated in 5 video games for a second consecutive postseason.

Quick ahead to this 12 months. They’ve received greater than 50 video games for a second straight season, whereas having personnel who look as if they are often trusted in each scenario. Does it result in them getting out of the primary spherical? Or will it’s a 3rd straight early exit?

Participant to look at: Hellebuyck. He is in line to win a second consecutive Vezina Trophy, which might be his third total. That might place Hellebuyck amongst Corridor of Famers Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek and Patrick Roy. However any time there is a dialogue about Hellebuyck’s standing amongst all-time greats, it contains his relative lack of success within the postseason. That got here up final season, when he had a personal-low .870 save share within the Jets’ five-game sequence loss. On the entire, he is 18-27 with a 2.85 goals-against common and a .910 save share in his postseason profession. Is that this the 12 months he turns it round?

Daring prediction: Gabriel Vilardi, who has solely two targets in 12 profession playoff video games, will lead the Jets in targets this postseason.

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File: 50-26-6, 106 factors
First-round opponent: Avalanche

Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Stars are definitely in a championship window, having superior to a few Western Convention finals previously 5 years. However there’s extra to it than that. The core of these groups stays in place. They’ve discovered methods so as to add to that core, and newcomers assimilate shortly.

Regardless of already having probably the most proficient groups within the NHL, the Stars traded for one of many sport’s finest gamers in Mikko Rantanen, who has received a Stanley Cup. Including Rantanen solely heightens the expectations this might be the 12 months for the Stars.

X issue: Can they be stopped in a Recreation 7? You will have heard that Stars coach Peter DeBoer is kind of adept at Recreation 7s. His groups are 8-0, which isn’t solely the perfect all-time file for Recreation 7s in NHL historical past, but it surely’s the perfect mark of any coach in North American males’s professional sports activities historical past.

Whereas he is been with the Stars for less than two seasons, every postseason has seen the Stars faucet into what has made DeBoer so essential in these winner-take-all video games. And with a first-round date towards the Avalanche? It is attainable DeBoer’s Recreation 7 techniques might come into play once more.

Participant to look at: Rantanen. There’s the theatrical facet — watching a participant who by no means thought he was going to depart the franchise that drafted him play a task in eliminating them months after being traded. However what’s better than the drama is the Stars altered their whole team-building philosophy by dealing draft picks and a rookie roster participant to get him, as a result of they consider somebody who has 101 factors in 81 profession playoff video games can result in them profitable the second title in franchise historical past.

Daring prediction: Rantanen will both rating or arrange two of the game-winning targets within the first spherical towards the Avalanche.

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File: 49-29-4, 102 factors
First-round opponent: Stars

Case for a Stanley Cup run: What’s basically doomed the Avs since they received the Stanley Cup again in 2022 is an absence of constant secondary and tertiary scoring. It is one thing they’ve tried to repair on a number of events, solely to finish up course correcting. However, the trades they’ve made this season have given them not solely their strongest roster since they received the Cup, however a bunch that has the potential to be simply pretty much as good as that title-winning crew. That group can be put to the take a look at shortly within the first spherical towards the Stars.

X issue: Their supporting forged. Counting on their position gamers was essential to why they averaged greater than 4 targets per sport en path to knocking out the Jets in 5 video games within the opening spherical final spring. However that modified towards the Stars in Spherical 2. A scarcity of constant secondary scoring, amongst different objects, resulted within the Avs notching six whole targets within the 4 video games they misplaced to the Stars within the second spherical.

Participant to look at: Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche captain performed his first skilled sport in practically three years for the Avs’ AHL affiliate this previous weekend. After logging quarter-hour in his first sport, he scored a objective and had an help in his second sport, whereas his surgically repaired knee did not give him any points. It units the stage for Landeskog returning this postseason, and never solely offering the Avs with a two-way internet entrance presence who performs a accountable sport, however somebody who gives a relaxing affect in tough conditions.

Daring prediction: Landeskog will rating three targets within the first spherical towards the Stars.

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File: 44-30-8, 96 factors
First-round opponent: Jets

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Since they employed Jim Montgomery in November, the Blues have talked in regards to the changes they may make, and it led to an openness that led to contributions all through their lineup. That turned evident throughout a 12-game win streak throughout March and April that noticed them catapult from wild-card hopeful to being in command of the wild-card race.

Oh, and an in-season teaching change adopted by a powerful run to the playoffs after which a Stanley Cup for St. Louis? Yeah, we have seen that earlier than.

X issue: How far will their defensive construction take them? One of many greatest challenges dealing with the Blues earlier than they employed Montgomery was the necessity for defensive consistency. They employed assistant Mike Weber to deal with protection, and added two-way forwards to assist handle the issue.

Following Montgomery’s arrival, the Blues have steadily improved to the purpose the place they’re among the many finest within the NHL in permitting high-danger possibilities per 60 minutes, whereas being within the prime 13 in fewest pictures allowed per 60 and scoring possibilities per 60.

Participant to look at: Jordan Binnington. For months forward of the 4 Nations Face-Off, a lot was made about Canada’s relative weak spot in objective. The crew turned to Binnington, who was instrumental in serving to Canada win February’s best-on-best event. His exploits since have translated into success for the Blues. Given the adjustments below Montgomery coupled with what Binnington has executed, might it result in the Blues happening a run this postseason?

Daring prediction: Regardless of the Jets having the NHL’s prime energy play, the Blues will restrict them to solely two targets with the extra-skater benefit.

Pacific Division

File: 50-22-10, 110 factors
First-round opponent: Wild

Case for a Stanley Cup run: By Vegas requirements, this crew has been quiet — but it surely has additionally been moderately productive.

Jack Eichel is now not simply an offensive risk. He is developed into an entire, two-way ahead who can be utilized in any scenario. They’ve empowered Pavel Dorofeyev into turning into a 30-goal scorer. Goaltender Adin Hill went from being in a tandem to creating greater than 50 begins for the primary time in his profession. These particular person exploits are a part of a collective that when once more has the Golden Knights ready to problem for a second Stanley Cup in three years.

X issue: Their power in numbers. Profitable that title in 2023 was largely made attainable by the Golden Knights’ depth. That is what made final offseason so jarring, as a result of fairly a little bit of that depth left in free company. The response? Eleven gamers completed 2024-25 with 10 or extra targets. That group contains Dorofeyev but additionally Brett Howden, who went from 39 profession targets in 351 profession video games getting into this season to 23 targets in 2024-25.

Participant to look at: Tomas Hertl. Hertl had a tough time after coming over by way of commerce on the tail finish of final season, as he was getting back from harm. That prolonged into the postseason, during which he completed with one level in seven video games. However in his first full season with the membership, Hertl has seemed the a part of a legit top-six ahead, reaching the 30-goal mark for the third time in his profession. Getting that model of Hertl means the Golden Knights might additionally get “Playoff Hertl,” who scored 16 targets and had 24 factors in 29 video games throughout his remaining two postseason campaigns with the San Jose Sharks.

Daring prediction: Not solely will Dorofeyev lead the Golden Knights in targets after the primary spherical, however he’ll lead the Western Convention in targets.

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File: 48-25-9, 105 factors
First-round opponent: Oilers

Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Kings have gone via a number of iterations over the previous 4 years as soon as their rebuild was full. They’ve made massive trades, spent fairly a bit of cash in free company, shuffled via goaltenders, and fired and employed coaches just for it to all finish in the identical place the previous three seasons: getting knocked out by the Oilers within the first spherical.

This season, they’ve attained a degree of consistency — each with their construction below Jim Hiller and in having roster continuity — that might make this spring finish in another way. And it helps that the goalie on whom they lastly landed has proven up in an enormous manner — even incomes some Vezina consideration.

X issue: Can their identification be the distinction? A former assistant coach who went from interim coach to move coach this season, Hiller has developed the Kings into one of many extra constant groups within the NHL. Their underlying offensive metrics have them within the prime 10 or simply outdoors the highest 10 in most pictures per 60 minutes, targets per 60, scoring possibilities per 60 and high-danger possibilities per 60.

Defensively, they’re within the prime three in fewest alternatives allowed in those self same classes, whereas additionally being prime three in crew save share.

Participant to look at: Darcy Kuemper. All of the adjustments the Kings have made in internet have include the intention of attending to the second spherical. To date, none of these changes has labored, which led them to get Kuemper. In solely 34 profession playoff video games, he is executed fairly a bit: serving to the Arizona Coyotes win a spherical within the Edmonton bubble in 2020 and backstopping the Avs to a Stanley Cup in 2022. Does he add getting the Kings (lastly) previous the primary spherical and the Oilers to his record of achievements?

Daring prediction: Warren Foegele, who scored three playoff targets for the Oilers final season, can have a hat trick within the first spherical towards his outdated crew.

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File: 48-29-5, 101 factors
First-round opponent: Kings

Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Oilers have been a sport away from profitable the Stanley Cup final 12 months after falling right into a three-game sequence gap towards the Panthers. The whole lot of their run strengthened the notion that they have been extra than simply Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. That they’d the assist forged who might be counted upon in important sequences, whereas coach Kris Knoblauch and his workers seemingly had an adjustment for each scenario.

Despite the fact that the Oilers enter the playoffs dealing with an extended record of accidents, they’re in a championship window — and have proven they will determine it out when wanted.

X issue: Can they repair the disconnect with their protection and goaltending? Every part in regards to the Oilers’ underlying metrics suggests they’re one of many stronger defensive groups within the NHL this season. They’re within the prime 10 in fewest scoring possibilities allowed per 60 minutes and the fewest high-danger scoring possibilities allowed per 60. They’re additionally eleventh in pictures allowed per 60.

And but, they’re within the backside 10 in crew save share. How is it that the Oilers have been according to their construction however inconsistent in internet? Answering that query might play a task in an early exit versus a protracted one.

Participant to look at: Stuart Skinner. Not {that a} crew’s playoff destiny hinges totally on the actions of 1 participant, however there’s consideration on Skinner for a cause (along with the whole lot within the earlier part). The benching throughout final 12 months’s playoffs gave the impression to be a wake-up name; thereafter, he was a constant presence that performed a major position within the Oilers’ Cup Closing run.

However this season has arguably been his most tough since turning into the Oilers’ No. 1. His .894 save share is his lowest in that point, whereas Skinner’s minus-10.34 targets saved above anticipated (per Pure Stat Trick) is the worst of any goalie who might probably begin for a playoff crew.

Daring prediction: Ought to the Oilers get previous the Kings within the first spherical, they’re going to return to the Stanley Cup Closing.

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File: 45-30-7, 97 factors
First-round opponent: Golden Knights

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Simply take a look at what they have been via this season. Kirill Kaprizov was having the perfect season of his profession earlier than he sustained a long-term harm, limiting him to 41 video games. The Wild additionally needed to navigate accidents to Joel Eriksson Ek, Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin. They have been within the backside 10 of targets per sport, pictures per 60 minutes, scoring possibilities per 60 and high-danger possibilities per 60.

In the event that they made it this far in a season during which they’ve performed many tight video games, should not enjoying these video games now present a way of normalcy — particularly with all of these gamers again within the lineup?

X issue: Consolation in one-goal video games. Sure, playoff video games are completely different as a result of one mistake could make the distinction between profitable a sport or shedding a sequence. However as famous above, the Wild know that idea all too nicely this season. They’ve performed in 28 one-goal video games and have received 18 of them. There was even one stretch during which they received 4 consecutive one-goal video games.

And for a crew that was the worst in targets per sport amongst Western Convention playoff groups? These one-goal video games might be essential towards their aspirations.

Participant to look at: Zeev Buium. Though the Wild have numerous gamers who might be on this house, what makes Buium the decide right here is the intrigue. From the second they drafted him final summer season, it created an expectation that he and Brock Faber might usher the Wild’s blue line into a brand new period. However above all, it gave the Wild one other younger, puck-moving defenseman who might play heavy minutes — and essential minutes — when the time got here. Buium has already stuffed that position with the College of Denver and the two-time gold-medal profitable U.S. crew on the World Juniors. He might be the subsequent younger blueliner who’s requested to do the identical within the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Daring prediction: Marc-Andre Fleury will get no less than one win towards the Golden Knights, and if that’s the case, it should come at T-Cell Enviornment.