Tank's 2025 Stanley Cup Round 1 Preview

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan Division

• M1. Washington Capitals vs. WC2. Montreal Canadiens 
• Capitals in 6

Two teams that had satisfying seasons, as the old Capitals found the fountain of youth, with Alex Ovechkin leading the way by breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for goals in an NHL career. The Canadiens return to the playoffs after a four-year absence, marking the worst stretch in the franchise's history. Sam Montembeault had a breakout season, continuing the Canadiens' Quebec goalie tradition. Montembeault won 31 games, with a 2.82 GAA. The veteran experience of the Capitals will be a lot for Montreal to overcome, but they will make the series interesting by stealing two games. 

• M2. Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3. New Jersey Devils
• Hurricanes in 4

Despite struggling down the stretch, the Hurricanes are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. This matchup seemed destined from the start of the season, as they split four games early in the season, with the home ice team winning each game. If the Devils were fully healthy, this would be a coin-flip series. However, no Jack Hughes means the Devils have no chance. In addition, Jonas Siegenthaler is also unlikely to return after missing the last two months leaving the helpless Simon Nemec to be further exposed in the postseason. Dougie Hamilton returned in the final game but looked rusty as the Devils backed into the playoffs at far less than 100%. It is hard to see the Devils making this a long series, as Carolina should win easily in a clean sweep. 

Atlantic Division

• A1. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC 1. Ottawa Senators 
• Senators in 7

This series will be intense as the Senators have a chip on their shoulder regarding their Ontario Provincial neighbors. The pattern in Toronto is a big regular season followed by a big postseason letdown. They have only advanced the first round once in the last 20 years. The Senators are a young, hungry team that will be giving the Leafs all they can handle. This one will be a long, hard-fought series. The Leafs have the talent and should win the series, but Auston Matthews always tightens up in big games, see his struggles in the Four Nations final game when he let Connor McDavid all alone. Meanwhile, Brady Tkachuk has a nose for the big moment and will score at least one game winner in overtime, earning the number one star as the Leafs fall in seven games. 

• A2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
• Panthers in 7

The road to the Stanley Cup has gone through Florida for the past five years, as either the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Florida Panthers have played in the Final in the past five seasons. Tampa won the Stanley Cup back-to-back in 2020 and 2021; the Panthers are seeking to do the same this time around. The Panthers struggled down the stretch with Aaron Ekblad serving a suspension for PEDs, while Matthew Tkachuk battled a groin injury. Tkachuk could play in Game 1, while Ekblad will return in Game 3. The Panthers will need big performances from both if they are to knock out the Lightning for the second straight season. I expect this to be a great series, going the distance, as the Panthers get a boost from Brad Marchand to survive the seven-game war. 

Western Conference

Central Division

• C1. Winnipeg Jets vs. WC 2. St. Louis Blues
• Jets in 7

The Winnipeg Jets led the Central Division wire-to-wire, capturing the President's Trophy for the first time in franchise history. The President's Trophy is often the kiss of death, as it has been 12 years since the best team in the regular season won the Stanley Cup. The Jets are driven to success by defense and goaltending, as Connor Hellebuyck is a lock to win the Vezina Trophy, and could even be named the MVP, winning the Hart Trophy. For the first round, Hellebuyck faces a familiar foe as Jordan Billington, who outdueled the Jets' netminder in the Four Nations final, had a strong second half to get the Blues into the playoffs. This series will be tight and low-scoring, with the Jets slipping by in seven games. 

• C2. Dallas Stars vs. C3. Colorado Avalanche 
• Stars in 6

This could be one of the best matchups in the entire postseason, let alone the first round. Either team is capable of making a run and winning the Stanley Cup. The Stars have one big piece missing: Miro Heiskanen, whose absence on the blueline could be felt when facing a team with the firepower of the Avalanche. However, the Stars have some firepower, as Matt Duchene and Jason Robertson provide a significant 1-2 punch. In the end, as it often is in the playoffs, goaltending will be the decisive factor, and Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood are unreliable. The Stars have a goalie who has been strong in the postseason, with Jake Oettinger taking Dallas to the Western Conference Finals in the previous two seasons.  

Pacific Division

• P1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC 1. Minnesota Wild
• Golden Knights in 5

The Minnesota Wild struggled with injuries down the stretch and barely held on to a Wild Card spot, after being in the race for the top three in the Central most of the season. It is hard to imagine they could win this series, as the Golden Knights are one of the favorites to make a long run in the Stanley Cup playoffs, looking to regain the throne they won in 2023. Expect this series to be over quickly, as the Wild will be unable to handle the firepower of the Knights, who are among the highest-scoring teams in the league, led by Jack Eichel, who had a career year with 94 points. 

• P2. Los Angeles Kings vs. P3. Edmonton Oilers 
• Oilers in 7

For the fourth straight season, the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings face off in the first round. The previous three series were all won by the Oilers. This time around, the Kings feel they have the upper hand with home ice in Game 7. The Oilers have had their ups and downs after losing the Stanley Cup Final in seven games last year. Down the stretch, they had to worry about Connor McDavid, who missed eight games in the final month, dealing with a lower-body injury. If the Oilers are to win the series, they will need McDavid to be at his best, as the Kings have the ability to light up the scoreboard with Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala leading the way.