The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set, and the stakes are high as 16 teams gear up for the fight for hockey's ultimate prize. In the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers, the defending champions, are faced with a fierce first-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a rematch that has playoff history and high expectations. The Toronto Maple Leafs' highly anticipated face-off with the Ottawa Senators marks a significant moment, with both teams eager to prove their mettle in the postseason for the first time in over two decades.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are poised for an intense series that will see one power team eliminated early. The Los Angeles Kings are hoping to break their three-year losing streak against the Edmonton Oilers, presenting them with a daunting challenge despite their recent offensive surge. Each matchup carries its own narrative, with expert picks emerging on which teams are favored to advance in this thrilling playoff season.

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off with 16 teams vying for the most coveted trophy in sports, featuring a blend of elite talent and exciting matchups. Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning stands out as a key player, having led the league in points this season. Meanwhile, Auston Matthews is crucial for the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the team aiming to overcome a historical playoff drought. The Florida Panthers, facing depth issues, acquired Brad Marchand to bolster their lineup. Iconic scorer Alex Ovechkin, even at 39, remains a formidable presence for the Washington Capitals. The Carolina Hurricanes will rely on Sebastian Aho, while the New Jersey Devils' hopes hinge on goalie Jacob Markstrom following Jack Hughes' injury. Players like Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators and Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens could also play vital roles as the tournament unfolds.

The NHL playoff predictions are heating up as the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs approaches. The defending champion Florida Panthers are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a matchup anticipated to be one of the most thrilling of the playoffs. Experts predict both teams will bring their A-game, with the Panthers' inconsistencies causing concern.

In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals are pitted against the Montreal Canadiens, where analysts favor the Capitals despite their recent struggles. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are seen as favorites against the New Jersey Devils, particularly after the latter's loss of key player Jack Hughes. The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to make a strong showing against the Ottawa Senators, despite their franchise's shaky playoff history.

The Western Conference showdown features the Edmonton Oilers against the Los Angeles Kings and the Winnipeg Jets taking on the St. Louis Blues. The Oilers are looking to overcome injury concerns, and the Jets are predicted to prevail thanks to their solid defensive record. Another exciting matchup includes the Dallas Stars facing the Colorado Avalanche, with predictions leaning toward the Avalanche's depth giving them the edge. Lastly, the Vegas Golden Knights are expected to continue their strong season against the Minnesota Wild, as they aim to capitalize on their successful regular-season meetings.

The Calgary Flames closed out the regular season with a decisive 5-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings, marking a strong finish highlighted by the NHL debuts of Sam Morton and Zayne Parekh. Nazem Kadri stood out with two goals, while Taylor Ward also scored for the Kings, who ended a four-game winning streak. Los Angeles remains playoff-bound, facing the Edmonton Oilers in the first round with home-ice advantage for the first time in their series history.

Calgary took control in the third period, scoring four goals in just over five minutes, starting with Morton’s goal from a Ryan Lomberg pass. Parekh, the ninth overall pick from last summer's draft, scored shortly after with a deft redirection. David Rittich made 24 saves for the Kings, who matched franchise records from previous successful seasons but failed to set new ones this year.