2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

TOR in 6 Games: 46.2%
OTT in 7 Games: 26.9%
TOR in 7 Games: 11.5%
TOR in 5 Games: 7.7%
OTT in 6 Games: 7.7%

There is a lot more confidence in voters that the Maple Leafs are going to have to close out the series in less than seven games. If it gets to that point, voters have the Senators taking the series.

Series MVP (Top 3)
William Nylander (26.9%)
Brady Tkachuk (23.1%)
Mitch Marner (23.1%)

These three players took the majority of the votes, which was expected. Auston Matthews, Chris Tanev, Tim Stutzle, Linus Ullmark, and John Tavares also received votes, but not nearly as many as these top three. William Nylander and Mitch Marner had phenomenal regular seasons, and after what was seen in the 4 Nations Face-Off, Tkachuk had to be here, too.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Predictions

Tampa Bay Lightning: 53.8% of votes
Florida Panthers: 46.2% of votes

At this point, how can anybody count out either team? The Tampa Bay Lightning have been dominant over the last five years, but more recently, the Florida Panthers have been in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals and won last season. Neither team really deserves to be out in the first round, and the votes are very indicative of how difficult a decision this is to make.

TB in 7 Games: 50%
FLA in 6 Games: 26.9%
FLA in 7 Games: 11.5%
TB in 6 Games: 3.8%
FLA in 5 Games: 3.8%
FLA in 4 Games: 3.8%

The Lightning taking it in Game 7, getting exactly half the votes, was a shock. Even more shocking, some people beleive the Panthers can take care of them in four or five games. Odds are, this is a six or seven-game series, and if that is the case, the Lightning have the slight edge, but it should be quite entertaining.

Series MVP (Top 3)
Nikita Kucherov (29.6%)
Brayden Point (14.8%)
Sergei Bobrovsky/Andrei Vasilevskiy (7.4%)

There were a total of 12 different players to earn votes for the MVP of this series. That is insane. Both of these teams are star-studded, and there are so many people capable of taking over this series. The one that stands above all in this vote was Nikita Kucherov, which makes sense. He has been one of the best players in the league for a few seasons now, and just secured another Art Ross Trophy.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils Predictions

Carolina Hurricanes: 66.6% of votes
New Jersey Devils: 33.4% of votes

Could the voting be different if the New Jersey Devils were healthy? Sure, but they aren’t. Missing Jack Hughes is huge, and who knows if Dougie Hamilton will be fully up to speed in the playoffs. Either way, the Carolina Hurricanes didn’t miss a stride this season. Even after trading Martin Necas and then Mikko Rantanen, and getting “worse” on paper, they haven’t slowed down.

CAR in 6 Games: 33.3%
CAR in 5 Games: 22.2%
NJD in 7 Games: 18.5%
NJD in 6 Games: 14.8%
CAR in 7 Games: 11.1%

The Hurricanes should be able to wrap up the series before it reaches Game 7, and if the Devils want a chance, they are going to have to make sure they can hold off the Hurricanes as long as they can. The Hurricanes have not lost in the first round in the cap era, and according to the voters, that streak will continue this season, too.

Series MVP (Top 3)
Jaccob Slavin (22.2%)
Sebastian Aho (22.2%)
Seth Jarvis (18.5%)

One of the best shut-down defensemen in the league, joined by one of the best shut-down centers in the league, leads this list. That makes total sense as they are the two most important players for the Hurricanes. Seth Jarvis joining also makes sense, as he has broken out and become a fantastic winger who can play just about any role you ask him to.

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues Predictions

Winnipeg Jets: 88.9% of votes
St. Louis Blues: 11.1% of votes

The Presidents’ Trophy means nothing come playoff time, but the Winnipeg Jets are definitely the favorite over the St. Louis Blues, and the votes reflect that. The Jets have been unstoppable since the beginning of the season, and the Blues needed a miracle run to get the the playoffs. With that being said, the Blues have been the hottest team in the league since March, and could carry that into this series.

WPG in 6 Games: 33.3%
WPG in 5 Games: 29.6%
WPG in 7 Games: 22.2%
STL in 7 Games: 11.1%
WPG in 4 Games: 3.8%

If the Blues are going to want any chance to win, it is going to have to be in Game 7. With the Jets being heavily favoured in finishing the series before then, it is pretty clear what the voters think.

Series MVP (Top 3)
Connor Hellebuyck (55.6%)
Mark Scheifele (11.1%)
Kyle Connor, Jordan Kyrou, Adam Lowry (7.4%)

If the Jets are going to dominate any series, it is going to have to be Connor Hellebuyck leading the way. He has struggled in the playoffs before, but that is the past. He is on track to win the Vezina Trophy, likely unanimously, and is a serious contender for the Hart Memorial Trophy. There is no doubt that he is expected to be the MVP for this series.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild Predictions

Vegas Golden Knights: 81.5% of votes
Minnesota Wild: 18.5% of votes

The Vegas Golden Knights can never be counted out, and going up against the Minnesota Wild, who have struggled for a while in the tail end of the season, are capable of making it interesting. Getting some of their injured players back, especially Kirill Kaprizov, should be a factor, but the Golden Knights are just the better team here.

VGK in 6 Games: 33.3%
VGK in 5 Games: 29.6%
MIN in 6 Games: 18.5%
VGK in 7 Games: 14.8%
VGK in 4 Games: 3.8%

Vegas should clean up this series pretty quickly. Having the series end in six games or less is what seems most likely, but the Wild can play a hard-nosed game and make it difficult.

Series MVP (Top 3)
Jack Eichel (59.3%)
Adin Hill (11.1%)
Eight other players received one vote

Jack Eichel is without a doubt going to be the most valuable player. He has truly established himself as one of the top players in the game over the last few seasons and has been making sure the world notices.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers Predictions

Los Angeles Kings: 55.5% of votes
Edmonton Oilers: 44.5% of votes

After a trip to the Stanley Cup Final last season, many expected nothing short of dominance from the Edmonton Oilers this season. They didn’t have quite that level of performance, and even despite defeating the Los Angeles Kings in Round 1 three years in a row, voters have the Kings finally slaying the dragon, beating the Oilers this season.

LAK in 6 Games: 33.3%
EDM in 7 Games: 25.9%
LAK in 7 Games: 22.2%
EDM in 6 Games: 18.5%

It should be a close series, and the voters think so, too. It is bound to go to Game 6 or Game 7, and it is honestly a toss-up as to who wins this series.

Series MVP (Top 3)
Leon Draisaitl (29.6%)
Darcy Kuemper (22.2%)
Connor McDavid (14.8%)

Leon Draisaitl has had an excellent season, won the Rocket Richard Trophy, and is a strong Hart Memorial Trophy contender. He is joined on this list by Connor McDavid, duh, and Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper has been lights-out this season, and to shut down the Oilers’ offense, he will have to continue to be.

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Predictions

Colorado Avalanche: 66.6% of votes
Dallas Stars: 33.4% of votes

A tough stretch of hockey leading into the playoffs has some voters much lower on them than they could have been. With Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen injured, those are two huge blows. For the Colorado Avalanche, a complete roster turnover hasn’t slowed them down, and they look as good as ever. Plus, rallying around Gabriel Landeskog will have this team running high on vibes alone.

COL in 7 Games: 44.4%
DAL in 7 Games: 18.5%
COL in 6 Games: 14.8%
DAL in 6 Games: 11.1%
COL in 5 Games: 3.7%
DAL in 5 Games: 3.7%
COL in 4 Games: 3.7%

There is very little chance that this series is less than six games. It will be two of the top teams facing off, and it seems almost unfair one of these teams has to be bounced in the first round.

Series MVP (Top 3)
Nathan MacKinnon (44.4%)
Wyatt Johnston (14.8%)
Cale Makar (7.4%)
Gabriel Landeskog (7.4%)

There is no doubt that Nathan MacKinnon would lead the way here, and that Cale Makar would be right behind him. Landeskog’s return could be special, and he could be in this conversation. Wyatt Johnston has been excellent this season and could be the one to lead the way for the Stars if they want to get through the Avalanche.

Be sure to check back after Round 1 to see how we did, and following that will be the Round 2 predictions!