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NHL 25 Simulation Stanley Cup Final Prediction Takes Major Hit

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 5, 2025 3:30 PM ET

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are through one round, with many of the best teams still left in the bracket. With the second round set to begin, it's time to look back on the simulation that NHL 25 did before the postseason started.

For the most part, the simulation went as the series predicted correctly, but they did fall short in some areas. Some of the ones that they got wrong include the Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals series, the Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings series, and the Dallas Stars vs the Colorado Avalanche.

But the most telling was the prediction of the Avalanche since the NHL 25 simulation had Colorado reaching the Stanley Cup Final. The pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the Cup is still alive, but they will be taking on a new challenger if they make it.

The Maple Leafs are gearing up for the second-round matchup against the Florida Panthers after taking down the Ottawa Senators in the first-round. Toronto is being favored in the series, and they hold home-ice advantage entering play.

But the Panthers are the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, so knocking them out will likely be tough. Toronto would need to overcome the ongoing narrative about them in order to make this happen.

The Maple Leafs have fallen short in the playoffs multiple times in recent memory, so the prediction of them winning the Cup did come as a surprise. But this Toronto team is extremely talented, and they have the tools to put together a run.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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