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3 days ago
- Entertainment
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NHL playoff predictions: Picks for conference finals, 2025 Stanley Cup champion
There are four teams left standing in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the conference finals have a familiar look to them. In the Eastern Conference, the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are in the conference final for the third straight season, and it's the third appearance for the Carolina Hurricanes since 2019. It's also a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference Final, when the Panthers swept the Hurricanes in the best-of-7 series. Advertisement Out West, we get a rematch of the 2024 Western Conference Final, when the Edmonton Oilers bested the Dallas Stars in six games. This is Dallas' third straight conference final appearance. Edmonton is here for the third time in four seasons. Our Sportsnaut hockey staff again takes a stab at predicting each series. Here's how we did in the second round and where each writer stands with bragging rights after the first two rounds. Notably in the second round, Eric Charles and Ben Leeds each had one perfect prediction — the same one — the Dallas Stars in six games over the Winnipeg Jets. Jim Cerny (executive editor): 9-3 overall; 3-1 second round; missed Golden Knights Ben Leeds (staff writer): 9-3 overall; 2-2 second round; missed Capitals, Golden Knights Advertisement Dane Walsh (staff writer): 8-4 overall; 2-2 second round; missed Capitals, Maple Leafs Tom Castro (staff writer): 8-4 overall; 3-1 second round; missed Golden Knights Eric Charles (staff writer): 8-4 overall; 3-1 second round; missed Capitals John Kreiser (senior writer): 6-6 overall; 1-3 second round; missed Capitals, Jets, Golden Knights Related: NHL Games Today: 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule, Dates, Times, and Results NHL playoff predictions: Picks for conference finals, 2025 Stanley Cup champion Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images Eastern Conference Final: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers Season series: Panthers 2-1-0 Advertisement Series outlook: The Eastern Conference Final sets up as a real battle of wills, pitting the top two defensive teams in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Hurricanes are allowing only 1.80 goals per game, more than a half goal better than the Panthers, who have a team goals-against average of 2.42. Not only do these teams not allow a lot of goals, each is a master in shot suppression. Florida has allowed 23.8 shots in 12 postseason games; Carolina has surrendered an average of 24.0 shots over 10 playoff contests. Each thrives on puck possession and winning puck battles. Florida is the nastier, in-your-face team, one with a heavy forecheck that averages 46.42 hits per 60 minutes in the postseason. Carolina spins you around with shots (33.2 per game) from anywhere and everywhere in the offensive zone and will generate a plethora of turnovers in the neutral zone. So, yes, a true battle of wills, in what should be a low-scoring, hard-fought series. The Panthers need more from Matthew Tkachuk, who has three even-strength points in the playoffs and just three goals total. But they've really compensated with depth production from up and down the lineup, and a lot of activation from their defensemen, led by Seth Jones. Watch out for their third line — Brad Marchand, Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen were massive difference makers at both ends of the rink in the seven-game series win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round. In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky's gotten better as the playoffs move along. On the other side, Frederik Andersen — a big reason why the Hurricanes lost to the New York Rangers in the second round of the 2024 playoffs — is playing brilliantly. The 35-year-old is 7-2 with a 1.36 GAA (12 goals allowed in nine games) and .937 save percentage. Yes, he receives a lot of help from a team committed to making his life as easy as possible — led by defenseman Jaccob Slavin — but Andersen's been the best goalie in these playoffs. This postseason has also been a breakthrough for Andrei Svechnikov, who has eight goals (seven at even strength) in 10 games. Watch Carolina's special teams — they're first on the PK (93.3 percent) and fourth on the power play (28.1 percent) in the postseason. Like Florida, Carolina has plenty of depth and is healthy. The Hurricanes also benefit from having won each of their first two series in five games. Advertisement Prediction: Rod Brind'Amour has the Hurricanes playing their best hockey of the season, so this is a going to be a massive test for the defending champs. But in the end, that championship pedigree and mettle is just enough, and the Panthers will eek out a Game 7 victory to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight season. — Jim Cerny Staff predictions: John Kreiser: Panthers in 6 Dane Walsh: Panthers in 6 Tom Castro: Panthers in 7 Eric Charles: Panthers in 6 Ben Leeds: Panthers in 6 Also Read:: NHL Power Rankings 2024-25: Panthers on top ahead of Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Finals Western Conference Final: Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images Season series: Stars 2-1-0 Advertisement Series outlook: Last year is last year, but this is an intriguing rematch of the 2024 Western Conference Final. The Oilers proved in that series, which they won in six games, that they weren't all flash and dash relying solely on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They played well defensively, allowing six goals in their four victories, and had plenty of depth production, with 11 skaters scoring at least one goal in the series. After falling behind 2-1, the Oilers beat the Stars at their own game defensively and received surprisingly good goaltending from Stuart Skinner to reach the Cup Final. A similar strategy should serve the Oilers well this time around. But oner major difference this series is that the Stars have Mikko Rantanen now and didn't last spring. The 2022 Stanley Cup winner with the Colorado Avalanche has exploded with some massive performances in these playoffs, including two four-point games and three three-point games. After he recorded a hat trick in the second-round opener against the Winnipeg Jets, Rantanen scored just one goal the next five games before the Stars eliminated the Presidents' Trophy winners in six. But the Oilers are obviously aware that Rantanen can explode at a moment's notice. Of course, McDavid and Draisaitl could explode in a snap of the fingers, too. Rantanen has 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 13 postseason games, leading all Stanley Cup Playoff scorers this spring. But very quietly, McDavid is tied for second in playoff scoring with 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in two fewer games, averaging 1.55 points per game. Draisaitl has two overtime winners and is right behind with 16 points (five goals, 11 assists). Those two on a line with Corey Perry have a whopping 65.68 percent xGF, per Natural Stat Trick. But the Oilers are getting a huge lift from Evander Kane's return to the lineup, too. The power forward has four goals and seven points in the playoffs after missing the entire season due to injury. Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman have an xGF of 72.66 percent and a huge 22-9 advantage in high-danger chances when on the ice together 5v5. The Stars have been forced to defend a lot in the first two rounds, a seven-game win against the Avalanche before the six-game win against the Jets. In fact, the Stars have a minus -4 goal differential. They're averaging 2.62 goals scored per game, 11th of 16 teams to participate in the playoffs. However, their 2.92 team GAA is fourth best. Jake Oettinger is a big reason for that, he's been solid in goal for the Stars and would appear to give them an advantage at the crucial position over the Oilers, though Skinner did close out the Vegas Golden Knights with consecutive shutouts in the second round. Dallas is getting healthier, too, with Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson back in the lineup. But some of the big guns need to wake up here in the conference final. Tyler Seguin has just two goals. Evgenii Dadonov, Jamie Benn and Mason Marchment have one each. And Matt Duchene is without a goal in the playoffs. Advertisement Prediction: The Stars were my preseason pick to reach the Stanley Cup Final. I'm going with my gut and picking the Oilers, who've won eight of their past nine games, in seven here, though. Let's have a Stanley Cup rematch next! Staff predictions: John Kreiser: Stars in 7 Dane Walsh: Oilers in 7 Tom Castro: Stars in 7 Eric Charles: Stars in 7 Ben Leeds: Stars in 7 2025 Stanley Cup champion predictions These picks were made before the start of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Jim Cerny – Golden Knights (eliminated 2nd round) John Kreiser – Jets (eliminated 2nd round) Dane Walsh – Maple Leafs (eliminated 2nd round) Tom Castro – Golden Knights (eliminated 2nd round) Eric Charles – Avalanche (eliminated 1st round) Ben Leeds – Golden Knights (eliminated 2nd round)
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL playoff predictions: Picks for every 2nd-round series, 2025 Stanley Cup champion
The first-round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs finished on a high note with a pair of Game 7s on consecutive nights, which featured a stirring comeback win by the Dallas Stars and an improbable rally and double-overtime victory for the Winnipeg Jets. The page quickly turned to the second round, which begins Monday, May 5. Advertisement Our Sportsnaut hockey staff again takes a stab at predicting each series. Here's how we did in the opening round, including overall record, which series we missed on and which series we picked correct winner and amount of games. Ben Leeds (staff writer): 7-1; Missed: Avalanche; Perfect: Hurricanes Jim Cerny (executive editor): 6-2; Missed: Avalanche, Kings; Perfect Capitals, Maple Leafs, Jets Dane Walsh (staff writer): 6-2; Missed: Avalanche, Kings; Perfect: Capitals John Kreiser (senior writer): 5-3; Missed: Lightning, Avalanche, Kings; Perfect: Capitals, Jets Tom Castro (staff writer): 5-3; Missed: Devils, Avalanche, Kings; Perfect: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights Advertisement Eric Charles (staff writer): 5-3; Missed: Lightning, Avalanche, Kings; Perfect: Jets, Golden Knights Related: NHL Games Today: 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule, Dates, Times, and Results NHL playoff predictions: Picks for every 2nd-round series, 2025 Stanley Cup champion Eastern Conference Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (M2) Season series: Hurricanes 2-1-1; Capitals 2-2-0 Series outlook: The top two teams in the Metropolitan face off in the second round after each advanced in five games. The Hurricanes took out an injury-depleted New Jersey Devils team in the first round. Though four of those five games were decided in overtime (three wins, one loss), the Hurricanes owned the puck and largely dominated territorially. When pushed in Game 5, they erased a 3-0 deficit for a 5-4 double-overtime win to send the Devils packing. Key for Carolina is the health of goalie Frederik Andersen, who was injured in a Game 4 collision with Timo Meier. Andersen had a 1.59 goals-against average and .936 save percentage in four games against the Devils and is the key to winning this second-round series for the Hurricanes. Carolina had 11 different goal scorers in the first round — they're depth is legit. Keep an eye on forward Seth Jarvis, who has seven goals in 14 career games against the Capitals, and Andre Svechnikov, who scored five times (four goals at even strength) against the Devils. Advertisement The Capitals had 111 points, tops in the Eastern Conference, this season because they, too, have quality depth (seven players scored 20+ goals) and are a strong defensive team with solid goaltending. Logan Thompson stepped up in the first round against the Montreal Canadiens and allowed six goals in the four victories. It'll be a battle of wills since each team wants to get in on the forecheck and go to work below the hash marks. Tom Wilson could be a difference maker for the Capitals here. And Washington also gets Aliaksei Protas back in the lineup after the 30-goal scorer played just one game due to injury in the first round. Oh, and they have some guy named Alex Ovechkin, who, at 39, scored four goals in five games including the Game 1 winner in overtime. The Capitals need to be better on their penalty kill, they were just 66.7 percent against the Canadiens. The Hurricanes were perfect on the PK in five games against the Devils. Prediction: Hurricanes in 6. This is a flip of the coin. It's going to be that close, but Carolina's experience wins out in the end. — Jim Cerny Staff Predictions: John Kreiser (senior writer): Capitals in 7 Advertisement Dane Walsh (staff writer): Capitals in 6 Tom Castro (staff writer): Hurricanes in 7 Eric Charles (staff writer): Capitals in 7 Ben Leeds: Capitals in 6 Toronto Maple Leafs (A1) vs. Florida Panthers (A3) Season series: Panthers 3-1-0 Series outlook: The Maple Leafs survived a rugged first-round series, knocking off the upstart Ottawa Senators in six games. But now they take a big step up in class against another punishing opponent, which happens to be the defending Stanley Cup champion. So, to exorcise their playoff demons and reach the conference final for the first time since 2002 when they lost to the Hurricanes in six games, the Maple Leafs need to figure out how to defeat a Panthers team that simply doesn't beat itself. Needless to say, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly and Co. must prove they can lead this team over the hump, finally. Toronto tightened up its defensive game under coach Craig Berube, and Anthony Stolarz — who won a ring with the Panthers last spring as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup — emerged as its No. 1 goalie, allowing just two goals in five of six games in the opening round. Toronto's power play could be the difference maker in this series. Florida was the most penalized team in the NHL this season, and that five-forward PP1 for the Maple Leafs can be lethal. The flip side is that the Panthers can break your will with an outstanding penalty kill that was 88.9 percent in the first round and scored the second-most short-handed goals in the regular season. Advertisement It gives some pause that Matthew Tkachuk is not 100 percent healthy for the Panthers, though their heart-and-soul forward did have three goals and two assists when they eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games in the opening round. Also, defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss Game 1 serving the second of his two-game suspension for concussing Brandon Hagel. And captain Aleksander Barkov was dinged up some in that Lightning series. Barkov and Sam Reinhart are key here, two talented offensive players, each of whom is a finalist for the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward in the League. But the Panthers keep coming at you in relentless waves with the likes of Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell two-way stalwarts. And Bobrovsky is a nice veteran safety net as the last line of defense. Florida wisely rested many of its key players down the stretch and it showed in the first round, when they Panthers wiped out a good Lightning team. Prediction: Panthers in 6. This is going to be a tightly-played series, don't expect to see a lot of breakaways or wide-open looks with these two teams. Toronto is a better playoff team now than when these teams met in the 2022-23 postseason, but Florida still does this style better. — Jim Cerny Staff Predictions: John Kreiser: Panthers in 6 Advertisement Dane Walsh: Maple Leafs in 7 Tom Castro: Panthers in 6 Eric Charles: Panthers in 5 Ben Leeds: Panthers in 6 Also Read:: NHL free agency: Top forwards available in 2025, including Mitch Marner Western Conference Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P3) Season series: Tied 2-2-0 Series outlook: Each of these teams had an early scare in the first round. The Golden Knights fell behind the Minnesota Wild 2-1 before righting themselves and winning three in a row to close out the series; and the Oilers lost the first two games to the Los Angeles Kings before winning four straight to advance. For the Golden Knights, keys to turning things around were Adin Hill's improved play in goal as the series progressed and Jack Eichel's production ticked up after he was held without a point the first three games. If Vegas is going to be able to keep with with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — each of whom was at the top of his powers in the first round for Edmonton — it needs more than one goal and five points from Eichel, who's coming off a 28-goal, 94-point regular season. Of course, it can't only be Eichel either. Vegas was fifth in the NHL averaging 3.34 goals per game this season, and second on the power play (28.3 percent); but didn't score at the same rate in the first round. The Golden Knights also struggled to contain dynamic Wild star Kirill Kaprizov. That's a problem because, well, the Oilers have McDavid and Draisaitl, not just one of the League's top offensive players, but two. Advertisement Vegas should be able to get untracked offensively against Edmonton, which scored a lot (4.50 goals, tops in the League) in the first round, but allowed more goals per game than any other team (4.00), as well. The Kings made the Oilers look terrible in the first two games. But things got better when Calvin Pickard replaced Stuart Skinner in goal to start the final four. It's not like Pickard was lights out — he did give up four goals twice in his four starts — but he was good enough and the Oilers covered up mistakes by outgunning the Kings 20-12 in those final four games. The Oilers had 13 players score a goal in the first round, nine with more than one. Evander Kane's return after missing all season due to multiple surgeries is a big boost, and Trent Frederic was a nice, gritty bottom-six add ahead of the trade deadline. Prediction: Golden Knights in 7. Don't count Connor McDavid and Co. out here. This should be a real back and forth series, and the Oilers will make the Golden Knights uncomfortable many times with how the games are being played. Defense wins out in the end. And Vegas is the better defensive team. — Jim Cerny Staff Predictions: John Kreiser: Golden Knights in 6 Advertisement Dane Walsh: Oilers in 7 Tom Castro: Golden Knights in 7 Eric Charles: Oilers in 7 Ben Leeds: Golden Knights in 7 Winnipeg Jets (C1) vs. Dallas Stars (C2) Season series: Series outlook: As mentioned above, both the Jets and Stars won a thrilling Game 7 to reach the second round, each staging a furious third-period comeback. The Jets won the Presidents' Trophy this season, so they're breathing a sigh of relief that they weren't taken out in the first round, no matter how good Jordan Binnington and the St. Louis Blues played. The Jets have a serious home-ice advantage; they won all four games at home in the first round and are 34-7-4 at Canada Life Centre this season. They proved how resilient they are in Game 7, when they scored twice in the final two minutes of regulation to tie the score, then won it in double-OT. And they did so without their No., 1 center Mark Scheifele, who's missed the past two games with an unspecified injury, and top defenseman Josh Morrissey, who left Game 7 in the first period and was unable to return. The status of each is a major X-factor in this series. The biggest one, though, is if Connor Hellebuyck can shed his checkered playoff past — which haunted him in the first round, when he had a gruesome .830 save percentage and was pulled in each Winnipeg loss in the series. The Jets are an outstanding defensive team (they allowed only 23.7 shots per game in the first round), which helps. But their goalie needs to be Vezina Hellebuyck and not the one who's struggled throughout his career in the biggest games. Advertisement Speaking of resilient, meet the Stars, who eliminated an elite opponent, the Colorado Avalanche, without stud defenseman Miro Heiskanen or leading goal scorer Jason Robertson playing a single minute in the first round. Each is close to returning to the lineup, meaning the Stars are in a better way than the Jets, who could be without Scheifele and Morrissey. Heiskanen will be key for the Stars because he moves the puck quickly out of his own end, and the Jets want to get in deep with a heavy forecheck and go to work on their opponent. The Stars could use a bit more firepower — they, like the Jets, averaged just 3.00 goals per game in the first round — so getting Robertson back would be huge. Despite that, this series features the top scorers in these playoffs — Dallas' Mikko Rantanen and Winnipeg's Kyle Connor each has 12 points. Rantanen took over Game 7 against his former team in the third period, and has the looks of a game-wrecker right now for the Stars. Jake Oettinger had a .911 save percentage in the opening round and has looked more consistent so far in the playoffs than Hellebuyck. Prediction: Stars in 7. They won twice on the road in Colorado and will take Game 7 in Winnipeg in what should be a fascinating, heavy-hitting, seesaw series. Oettinger will be better than Hellebuyck in the decisive game. — Jim Cerny Staff predictions: John Kreiser: Jets in 6 Advertisement Dane Walsh: Stars in 7 Tom Castro: Stars in 7 Eric Charles: Stars in 6 Ben Leeds: Stars in 6 Also Read:: NHL rumors: Insider names top suitor likely to pursue Sam Bennett in NHL free agency 2025 Stanley Cup champion predictions These picks were made before the start of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Jim Cerny – Golden Knights John Kreiser – Jets Dane Walsh – Maple Leafs Tom Castro – Golden Knights Eric Charles – Avalanche (eliminated) Ben Leeds – Golden Knights
