NHL Experts Predict 2025 Stanley Cup Final Matchup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 10:04 AM ET

With less than a month left in the NHL regular season, teams are making their final push in the standings, hoping to secure home-ice advantage or even just a playoff spot. As the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw closer, ESPN experts predicted which two teams will face off in the Stanley Cup Final.

The five experts included reporter Ryan S. Clark, analyst Victoria Matiash, broadcaster Arda Öcal, reporter Kristen Shilton and reporter Greg Wyshynski.

Last season’s Stanley Cup Final saw the Florida Panthers knock off the Edmonton Oilers in a series that went the full seven games. While a rematch is certainly possible, the road back to the Final is anything but guaranteed for both teams. For Florida, it would mark its third straight trip.

Here's what each expert thinks:

Clark: Dallas Stars vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Matiash: Winnipeg Jets vs. Florida Panthers
Öcal: Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Shilton: Dallas Stars vs. Washington Capitals
Wyshynski: Dallas Stars vs. Florida Panthers

Three of these matchups come with major storylines.

Clark’s pick—Stars vs. Hurricanes—would be centered around Mikko Rantanen, who was just traded to Dallas at the deadline. Rantanen started the season with the Colorado Avalanche before being dealt to Carolina, but after opting not to sign a long-term extension, the Hurricanes flipped him to the Stars in a second trade this season.

Matiash’s prediction—Jets vs. Panthers—would feature Florida head coach Paul Maurice facing his former team. Maurice spent nine seasons behind the bench for Winnipeg before taking over in Florida in 2022.

Finally, Öcal’s pick would set up a rematch of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, when the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.

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

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