Stanley Cup Playoffs 2025: First Round Game Plan
- The quest for the Stanley Cup in 2025 commences Saturday with a pair of western conference matchups.
- The Winnipeg Jets, after clinching the Presidents' Trophy with the NHL's best regular-season record, enter the playoffs as the top seed in the Central Division.
- The Dallas Stars secured the second spot in the Central Division, followed by the Colorado Avalanche in third.
2025 Stanley cup Playoffs: First Round Set to Begin
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The quest for the Stanley Cup in 2025 commences Saturday with a pair of western conference matchups. The Winnipeg Jets will host the St. Louis Blues, and the Dallas Stars will face off against the Colorado Avalanche.
Western Conference Showdowns kick Off Playoffs
The Winnipeg Jets, after clinching the Presidents’ Trophy with the NHL’s best regular-season record, enter the playoffs as the top seed in the Central Division. They will have home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.
The Dallas Stars secured the second spot in the Central Division, followed by the Colorado Avalanche in third.
Eastern Conference battles Commence Sunday
Sunday’s schedule features three series openers. The Carolina Hurricanes will clash with the new Jersey Devils,while the Toronto Maple Leafs will battle the Ottawa Senators in the highly anticipated “Battle of ontario.” The Vegas Golden Knights will also host the Minnesota Wild.
More Series Get Underway Monday and Tuesday
Monday will see the Washington Capitals begin their series against the Montreal Canadiens, and the Los angeles Kings will travel to Edmonton to take on the Oilers.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers will launch their “Sunshine State Series” on Tuesday.
First Round schedule Breakdown
Eastern Conference
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
- Game 1: april 20, 7 p.m. ET in Toronto
- Game 2: April 22, 7 p.m. ET in Toronto
- Game 3: April 24, 7 p.m. ET in Ottawa
- Game 4: April 26, 7 p.m. ET in Ottawa
- *Game 5: April 29 in Toronto (if necessary)
- *Game 6: may 1 in Ottawa (if necessary)
- *Game 7: may 3 in Toronto (if necessary)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
- Game 1: April 22, 8:30 p.m. ET in Tampa
- Game 2: April 24, 6:30 p.m.ET in Tampa
- Game 3: April 26, 1 p.m.ET in Sunrise
- Game 4: april 28 in Sunrise
- *Game 5: April 30 in Tampa (if necessary)
- *Game 6: May 2 in Sunrise (if necessary)
- *Game 7: May 4 in Tampa (if necessary)
Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Game 1: April 21, 7 p.m. ET in Washington
- game 2: April 23, 7 p.m.ET in Washington
- Game 3: April 25, 7 p.m. ET in Montreal
- Game 4: April 27, 6:30 p.m. ET in Montreal
- *Game 5: April 30 in Washington (if necessary)
- *Game 6: May 2 in Montreal (if necessary)
- *Game 7: May 4 in Washington (if necessary)
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
- Game 1: April 20, 3 p.m. ET in Raleigh
- game 2: April 22, 6 p.m. ET in Raleigh
- Game 3: April 25, 8 p.m. ET in Newark
- Game 4: April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET in Newark
- *Game 5: April 29 in Raleigh (if necessary)
- *Game 6: May 2 in Newark (if necessary)
- *Game 7: May 4 in Raleigh (if necessary)
Western Conference
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
- Game 1: April 19, 6 p.m. ET in Winnipeg
- Game 2: april 21, 7:30 p.m. ET in Winnipeg
- Game 3: April 24, 9:30 p.m. ET in st. Louis
- Game 4: April 27,1 p.m. ET in St. Louis
- *Game 5: April 30 in Winnipeg (if necessary)
- *Game 6: May 2 in St. Louis (if necessary)
- *Game 7: May 4 in Winnipeg (if necessary)
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Game 1: April 19, 8:30 p.m. ET in Dallas
- Game 2: April 21, 9:30 p.m. ET in Dallas
- Game 3: April 23, 9:30 p.m. ET in Denver
- game 4: April 26, 9:30 p.m.ET in Denver
- *Game 5: April 28 in dallas (if necessary)
- *Game 6: May 1 in Denver (if necessary)
- *Game 7: May 3 in Dallas (if necessary)
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
- Game 1: April 20, 10 p.m. ET in Las Vegas
- Game 2: April 22, 11 p.m. ET in Las vegas
- Game 3: April 24, 9 p.m. ET in St. paul
- Game 4: April 26, 4 p.m.ET in St. Paul
- *Game 5: April 29 in Las Vegas (if necessary)
- *Game 6: May 1 in St. Paul (if necessary)
- *Game 7: May 3 in Las Vegas (if necessary)
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
- Game 1: April 21, 10 p.m. ET in Los Angeles
- Game 2: april 23,10 p.m. ET in Los Angeles
- Game 3: April 25, 10 p.m. ET in edmonton
- Game 4: April 27, 9:30 p.m. ET in Edmonton
- *Game 5: April 29 in Los angeles (if necessary)
- *Game 6: May 2 in Edmonton (if necessary)
- *Game 7: May 4 in los Angeles (if necessary)
*If necessary
Alright, let’s dive into the exciting details of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs! Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, answered in a friendly and informative way.
Q: When do the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs begin?
The playoffs kick off on Saturday with a pair of Western Conference matchups followed by more games on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
Q: What are the matchups for game one on Saturday?
On Saturday, the Winnipeg Jets host the St. Louis Blues, and the Dallas Stars face the Colorado Avalanche.
Q: Which teams are playing on sunday?
Sunday features three series openers: the Carolina Hurricanes vs. the New Jersey Devils, the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. the Ottawa Senators (the ”Battle of Ontario”), and the Vegas Golden Knights vs.the Minnesota Wild.
Q: Which series begin on Monday?
On Monday, the Washington Capitals will face the Montreal Canadiens, and the Los Angeles Kings will travel to Edmonton to play the Oilers.
Q: When does the “Sunshine State Series” begin?
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers will launch their “Sunshine state Series” on Tuesday.
Q: Which team secured the Presidents’ Trophy, and what does it mean for them?
The Winnipeg Jets clinched the Presidents’ Trophy for the NHL’s best regular-season record. This gives them home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.
Q: Can you briefly summarize the schedule for the Toronto Maple Leafs series?
Certainly! Here’s a fast look at the schedule for the Toronto Maple leafs versus the Ottawa Senators:
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Location |
| —- | ———— | ——— | ————- |
| 1 | April 20 | 7 p.m. | Toronto |
| 2 | April 22 | 7 p.m. | Toronto |
| 3 | April 24 | 7 p.m. | Ottawa |
| 4 | April 26 | 7 p.m.| Ottawa |
| 5 | April 29 | | Toronto |
| 6 | May 1 | | Ottawa |
| *7 | May 3 | | Toronto |