The 2025 NHL playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, April 19, featuring an exciting lineup of first-round matchups. The Eastern Conference welcomes back teams like the New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild, while the Washington Capitals clinched the best record in the East with Alex Ovechkin achieving an all-time milestone by breaking Wayne Gretzky's goal record. Other notable absences include the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins, who had been playoff fixtures for years.

In the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets captured the Presidents' Trophy, marking a new era of dominance. The playoff bracket promises fierce competition as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers—recent finalists—start their campaigns on the road. Key matchups include the Capitals facing the Canadiens and the Jets battling the Blues, making for an electrifying postseason.