Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 NHL Playoffs
Hockey
The chase for the Stanley Cup is officially underway, and hockey fans across North America are already glued to their screens as the first round of the 2025 NHL Playoffs heats up. With a bracket-style playoff system and no shortage of drama, this postseason promises unforgettable action on the ice.
Whether you’re following your favorite team or looking to place a strategic bet, here’s everything you need to know about the current playoff structure, first-round highlights, and what’s ahead.
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How the NHL Playoffs Format Works
The Stanley Cup Playoffs welcome 16 teams, broken down into a structured bracket with a division-based format and wild card entries. Here’s the breakdown:
- Top 3 teams from each division automatically qualify, making up 12 playoff spots.
- The final 4 spots go to the next best teams in each conference, based on regular-season points regardless of division.
This setup allows for the possibility of one division sending five teams while the other sends just three.
In the First Round, division winners face off against wild card teams:
- The division winner with the best regular-season record plays the wild card team with the lesser record.
- The other division winner faces the higher-ranked wild card team.
Meanwhile, the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each division clash in tight intra-division matchups.
All playoff rounds are best-of-seven series, and home-ice advantage is awarded to the team with the better regular-season record through to the Stanley Cup Final.
First Round Results
Here’s where the teams stand now after action-packed opening games:
Western Conference
- Winnipeg (2) vs. St. Louis (0)
- Dallas (1) vs. Colorado (1)
- Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Minnesota (1)
- Los Angeles Kings (1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (0)
Eastern Conference
- Toronto Maple Leafs (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (0)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (0) vs. Florida Panthers (1)
- Washington Capitals (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (0)
- Carolina Hurricanes (2) vs. New Jersey Devils (0)
NHL playoffs: Today’s Spotlight Matchups: April 23
Canadiens vs. Capitals – Game 2 (7 p.m. ET, Capital One Arena)
In Game 1, Alex Ovechkin made history once again, becoming the oldest player to factor into every goal for his team in a playoff game. But it took overtime for the Caps to pull off a 3-2 win.
Montreal’s Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky were electric, and rookie Lane Hutson was sensational, notching two assists. The Canadiens may have lost, but they’re proving they belong.
Injury Watch: Washington will be without key defenseman Martin Fehervary, who underwent knee surgery.
Betco Line: Canadiens +165 vs. Capitals -205
Oilers vs. Kings – Game 2 (10 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena)
Game 1 was wild. Los Angeles blew a four-goal lead, but stormed back to win 6-5 in regulation, a feat achieved only three times in playoff history.
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid continue their historic climbs in Oilers playoff lore. The Kings were buoyed by newcomer Andrei Kuzmenko (1 goal, 2 assists), while veterans Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty remain vital to the team’s depth.
Betco Line: Oilers +105 vs. Kings -135
Stars vs. Avalanche – Game 3 (9:30 p.m. ET, Ball Arena)
With the series tied 1-1, this pivotal Game 3 could swing momentum dramatically. Colorado may see the return of Gabriel Landeskog, who hasn’t played since hoisting the Cup in 2022. Dallas hopes to get Miro Heiskanen back soon to bolster its blue line.
Betco Line: Stars +165 vs. Avalanche -205
Who’s the Favorite to Win Right Now?
Based on the latest odds from Betco.ag, the early favorites are:
Washington Capitals (-205) over the Canadiens
L.A. Kings (-135) over the Oilers
Colorado Avalanche (-205) over the Stars
But as any hockey fan knows, playoff hockey is unpredictable. Momentum shifts, injuries, and hot goaltending can flip a series in a heartbeat.
Upcoming NHL Playoff Matchups
Here’s a look at the calendar for what’s to come. Mark your dates:
April: 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
May: 1, 2, 3, 4
Every day brings new battles and critical turning points as the field narrows.
Looking Ahead: When Is the Stanley Cup Final in 2025?
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final is projected to conclude by June 23, capping off a thrilling postseason that’s already filled with buzzer-beaters, comeback victories, and breakout stars. With each round ramping up the intensity, the race to hoist the Cup is as competitive as ever.
Ready to Bet on the NHL Playoffs?
With odds constantly shifting and key matchups heating up, now is the perfect time to place your bets. Visit Betco.ag to check out live odds, prop bets, and exclusive promotions during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Don’t miss your shot lace up, log in, and get in on the action at Betco.ag today. 🏒🔥