By Neil Becker
The month of April is when the sense of anticipation rises among hockey fans.
Outside, the weather is getting warmer, baseball season has begun, and following a grueling 82-game regular season, it’s time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs to begin.
With the playoffs having started Saturday, April 19th, 16 teams have begin their quest to earn the ultimate right to raise the Stanley Cup this coming June.
What makes the Stanley Cup Playoffs so magical is that any team is capable of pulling off big upsets.
The playoffs mark a special time when hockey fans don their beloved jerseys and reunite—either at the stadiums or various watch parties—where night after night and round after round, they celebrate goals and victories together or console one another in defeat.
Another great aspect of April is the hope and belief every fan carries that their team can prevail through the two-month grind to win the Cup.
Naturally, this playoff year will be no different, with stunning upsets sure to come as 16 teams begin what they hope will be a deep two-month run to claim 16 victories across four rounds.
The Conference Quarterfinals—the first round—will feature some very exciting matchups and intriguing storylines, such as the Battle of Ontario featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators. Other eye-catching openers include the upstart Montreal Canadiens vs. the Washington Capitals and last year’s finalist, the Edmonton Oilers, facing the Los Angeles Kings for the fourth year in a row.
Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Matchups
1. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
Another exciting chapter is about to be written in the much-anticipated Battle of Ontario. In the early 2000s, these two teams entertained the hockey world with suspenseful playoff series. From 2000 to 2004, the Leafs—with stars like Mats Sundin and Darcy Tucker—defeated the Senators in all four series.
Despite not meeting in playoff action since 2004, this promises to be an action-packed, heavily watched series.
The underdog Senators are backstopped by 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark. Though inconsistent and battling injuries in his first year in Ottawa, he still posted a 25-14-3 record, a 2.72 GAA, and a .909 save percentage in 44 games.
Offensively, Ottawa boasts dynamic scorers like Tim Stützle (79 points), Drake Batherson (68), Claude Giroux (50), and captain Brady Tkachuk (55), who also adds grit.
On the blueline, 22-year-old Jake Sanderson had a breakout 57-point season. Other impactful defensemen include veteran Thomas Chabot (+17) and Nick Jensen (+18).
The favored Leafs counter with a high-powered offense led by 400-goal scorer Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and veteran John Tavares. They also have depth in 20-goal scorer Bobby McMann and the improving Matthew Knies.
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz, formerly Florida’s backup in their Cup-winning run, had a strong season (21-8-3, 2.14 GAA, .926 SV%). The big question is whether he can sustain his stellar play in the postseason.
Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs will win in 7 games.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
These rivals meet for the third time in four years.
The Lightning (102 points) have home-ice advantage over the defending Cup champs, the Panthers (98 points).
A major storyline is the health of Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk, who injured his groin during the 4 Nations gold medal game in February. Though he’s returned to practice, his readiness is uncertain.
Adding to Florida’s challenge, veteran defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss the first two games due to a 20-game suspension following a failed drug test. Ekblad, a physical presence, tallied 33 points in 56 games and will be sorely missed.
Forward Sam Bennett (51 points) and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov also return from injuries, leaving fans wondering about their readiness.
During the regular season, the two teams split 2-2. Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov led the way with three points in those games.
Florida still has firepower in Sam Reinhart (81), Carter Verhaeghe (53), and Brad Marchand. The defense features standout Gustav Forsling (+33) and Seth Jones.
In net, Sergei Bobrovsky (33 wins, 5 shutouts) faces Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (38 wins, 6 shutouts). Tampa Bay also boasts elite talent in Victor Hedman (66 points, +18), Nikita Kucherov (121 points), Brandon Hagel (35 goals), Brayden Point (42), Jake Guentzel (41 goals, 80 points), and Ryan McDonagh (+43).
Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning will win in 6 games.
3. Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Capitals topped the East with 111 points, while the Canadiens snuck in with 91.
Washington went 2-0-1 vs. Montreal in the regular season and are heavy favorites.
Dylan Strome had a career year (29 goals, 82 points), as did Aliaksei Protas (30 goals, 66 points, +40), Tom Wilson (30 goals), and Connor McMichael (26 goals, 57 points). Alex Ovechkin, at 39, still delivered 44 goals and 73 points.
The Capitals’ defense is anchored by John Carlson (+17), Jakob Chychrun (20 goals), and Trevor van Riemsdyk (+20).
Montreal, playing with no pressure, is led by captain Nick Suzuki (89 points), Cole Caufield (37 goals), Juraj Slafkovsky (51 points), Patrik Laine (20 goals in 52 games), and agitator Brendan Gallagher (21 goals).
Rookie Lane Hutson impressed on the blue line with 66 points, slick skating, and top-four minutes.
The last playoff meeting was in 2010 when the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Capitals were upset in 7 games.
Prediction: Washington Capitals will win in 6 games.
4. New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes (99 points) finished second in the Metropolitan; the Devils (91) were third.
New Jersey, with 23 road wins, are hoping to snap Carolina’s run of four straight playoff series wins.
Key players returning for the Devils include Ondrej Palat and Dougie Hamilton. Jesper Bratt (88 points), Nico Hischier (35 goals), and Timo Meier (26 goals) lead the offense. Jacob Markström posted a solid season in net (2.50 GAA, 4 shutouts). Brian Dumoulin anchors the defense.
Injuries hit the Devils hard, with Jack Hughes out for the season.
Carolina’s offense is led by Sebastian Aho (74 points), Seth Jarvis (67), and Taylor Hall (42). On defense, they feature Jalen Chatfield (+22), Jaccob Slavin (+22), and Dmitry Orlov (+16). Goalie Frederik Andersen returns from surgery to start Game 1.
The teams split the season series, each winning twice at home.
Prediction: New Jersey Devils will win in 6 games.
Western Conference First Round Playoff Matchups
1. Winnipeg Jets vs St Louis. Blues
Despite winning the Presidents’ Trophy with an 116- point season, the Winnipeg Jets aren’t considered the undisputed Stanley Cup favorites.
In past years the Jets have had strong seasons only to suffer disappointing early playoff exits.
One of the biggest storylines of this series is Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck and whether this might be the year where he follows up a dominant regular season with a strong playoff. In the past this 2020 and 2024 Vezina Trophy winner has experienced in playoffs a significant drop of play. This past season the 31- year-old who will more than likely win another Vezina after going 47-12-3 this season is looking to answer his critics who have questioned his past playoff performances.
This series will feature a 4 Nations goalie rematch which in late February saw
USA goalie Hellebuyck lose in the finals against Team Canada who were backstopped by current Blues goalie Jordan Binnington.
The Blues who finished with 96 points in capturing that final wildcard spot, enter the playoffs on a hot-streak and with nothing really to lose.
In late February the Blues went on a tear which saw them go 18-2-1 over a 21- game stretch which obviously ended up being what got them back into the playoff picture.
A big reason for the Blues success was the December 14th acquisition of veteran defenceman Cam Fowler who played 51 games as a Blue where he produced 9 goals along with 36 points and a +19.
Another big series storyline is whether hulking St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayko will be just as effective despite missing so much time to injury. After getting injured in mid-February against the Arizona Coyotes, Parayko missed some time before returning in early April. Parayko, who scored 16 goals along with 36 points in 64 games will play a big role if the Blues are to pull off the upset.
If the Blues are to pull off this Western Conference first round upset, they will have to do it without 26- goal forward Dylan Holloway who suffered a late season lower body injury.
The Jets are dangerous up front with the likes of 41 goal-scoring forwards Kyle Connor, Cole Perfetti and 87- point man Mark Scheifele. However, they will be without one of their big scorers in Nikolaj Ehlers.
Prediction: The Jets should prevail and defeat the Blues in 5 games.
2. Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
These two teams know each other well as this will be the fourth straight spring that they have met up in the playoffs.
Last year’s finalist, the Edmonton Oilers won all three of those matchups but will really have their hands full going into this series.
The Oilers, who finished third in the Pacific Division with 101 points have late in the regular season been decimated by injuries.
A major series storyline is that the Oilers will for be without defenceman Mattias Ekholm which will really hurt. This 34- year-old who with 11 goals and 45 points this season, provides that offensive punch for the blueline which will really be missed. Ekholm’s injury could when it’s all said and done mean the difference between moving on or being knocked out of the playoffs.
Starting playoffs on the road for the first time since 2006, the Oilers are according to reports expected to have forwards Zach Hyman along with
Defenceman Jake Walman back from injuries for Game 1 action at Crypto.com Arena. No announcement has been made regarding two other
forwards in Trent Federic or Evander Kane who has missed the entire season.
A big question for those Oilers coming back from injury is whether they can come back and play as if they haven’t missed a beat.
The Oilers were the walking wounded, but the good news is that they are confident and ready to start their post season run.
Despite missing Walman, the Oilers still have a dangerous defence core led by rugged 30 -year-old veteran Darnell Nurse who produced 33 points this season and a +11 plus/minus rating. At this year’s trade deadline, Edmonton made a key trade with the San Jose Sharks which really improved their blue line as they brought in veteran Jake Walman who scored 7 goals along with 40 points and was a +4.
Another huge contributor to the Oilers defence core is 25- year-old Evan Bouchard who scored 14 goals along with a 67- points and +14 while averaging over 20 minutes per game and anchoring the power-play.
It might not get a lot of attention but a feel- good storyline which has been talked about is that Oilers 32 -year-old forward Jeff Skinner will after 1,078 games be playing in his first post season game.
Meanwhile the Kings received some great news when late in the season forward Quinton Byfield came back which is obviously a huge boost to their offence.
Overalll, this season the Kings finished with an NHL best 31-5-3 record which can end up being the deciding factor in what will be a close series.
Prediction: The Kings will get lights out goaltending from Darcy Kuemper and win the series in 7 games.
3. Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild
One look at the season series shows why the Minnesota Wild are decisive underdogs against the Golden Knights. Not only did the Golden Knights win all three games but they also convincedly outscored the Wild by a 12-4 count.
The Wild, who last year missed the playoffs, have in their last 13 games against Vegas gone only 2-8-3.
This year the Wild registered 97 points which was enough for a wild card spot which sets them up for the big challenge of facing a Vegas team who were first in the Pacific Division with 110 points.
Minnesota got off to a red -hot start as they started the regular season with a 5-0-2 record and put together an impressive 10-3-2 November record. However, they eventually came down to earth and didn’t qualify for playoffs until the final game of the season.
A major part of their offence consists of 24 -year-old forward Matt Boldy who led the team with 27 goals and 73 points along with another youngster in 23- year-old Marco Rossi who produced 24 goals and 60 points. If the Wild are to pull off this massive first round upset than they will need their other stud forward in Kirill Kaprizov to produce along with getting strong goaltending from starter Filip Gustavsson who is coming off a 31- win season.
The Golden Knights have some solid offensive depth led by team leading scorer Jack Eichel who is coming off a 94- point season along with such names as Mark Stone who produced 67 points and Tomas Hertl who this past season scored 61 points. All four lines can score and check. Coming off another solid regular season is netminder Adin Hill who played 50 games and produced 32 wins and a 2.37 GAA.
Preditction: Vegas will once again prove to be to much of a challenge and defeat the Wild in 5 games.
4. Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche
The Dallas Stars suffered a monumental blow when in their last regular season game their leading scorer Jason Robertson got injured.
Robertson, who had 35 goals along with 89 points this season will be sidelined which obviously could make the difference in winning this series.
A huge storyline in this series is that Stars forward Mikko Rantanen will be playing against his former team in the Avalanche.
Rantanen, who was traded this year first to the Carolina Hurricanes then Dallas Stars is a proven playoff warrior who in past springs with the Avalanche has produced 101 playoff points.
The million- dollar question for Colorado is whether forward Gabriel Landeskog, who due to a knee injury hasn’t played since 2022, will come back this season. No doubt this would give the Avs that emotional boost.
Will nerves get the better of Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood who is set the play his first ever playoff game.
Should Stars fans be concerned after their beloved team limped into the playoffs with a 3-5-2 record in their last 10 games? Another potential concern is Stars goalie Jake Oettinger who wasn’t playing his best hockey down the stretch.
This season the Stars went 1-1-1 in three regular season games against Colorado. Despite having home ice advantage after finishing second in the Central Division with 106 points, they will still fall short losing in seven games against a powerful Avalanche team led by Nathan MacKinnon and defenceman Cale Makar.
On a side note, the Stars have entered playoffs having lost seven straight regular season games.
Prediction: Avalanche will win in 6
Now is the time for hockey fans from around the globe to buckle up and get ready for an incredible two-month momentum swinging grind of playoff hockey as the players put everything on the line for that right to lift the Stanley Cup.
