2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions: Lightning Strikes Yet Again!

With the Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin this weekend, it is now time to share how I think the next two months play out and who ends up hoisting Lord Stanley. Here are my predictions for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs!

Western Conference Round 1

Central Division: (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

The hottest team in the league since the Four Nations break faces off against the NHL's best team all regular season long in our first matchup of the postseason. While I understand the Blues are showing signs of their 2019 selves, who went on to win the cup, I just don't see St. Louis going on a deep run this time, especially with the loss of forward Dylan Holloway. Sure, the Jets and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck have had issues in the playoffs, but the Jets have tried to silence people's doubts all year long, and even without Nikolaj Ehlers, I think Winnipeg gets the job done in the first round.

Prediction: Jets Win Series 4-2

Central Division: (2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

If you had asked me this a month ago, I would have pretty confidently taken the Stars; however, a seven-game losing streak and an injury to forward Jason Robertson have changed my tune. Along with the injury to Robertson, the Stars have major troubles on the right side of their defense, and I think the Avalanche forwards will just be too fast for Dallas to keep up. Colorado takes down their former teammate in Mikko Rantanen, and they move on to face the Jets in round 2.

Prediction: Avalanche Win Series 4-2

Pacific Division: (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

For a team that has been so good all year long, I don't see many picking the Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup this spring. While I am not sure if Vegas will win their second title in three years, I think after this series, the hockey world will be put on notice. Sure, having Kirill Kaprizov back in the lineup does make the Wild more dangerous. I think the Golden Knights blue line will be all over him, while the physicality their forwards play with will make the rest of this Minnesota team uncomfortable. Golden Knights make quick work of the Wild.

Prediction: Golden Knights Win Series 4-1

Pacific Division: (2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Ah, a playoff tradition like no other! The Oilers and Kings will play each other for the fourth straight year in the first round, and unlike years past, not only does it feel like the Kings have a chance to take down Edmonton, but it feels like they are poised to do so. The Kings have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last month, while the Oilers are battling the injury bug hard and have not had the season we expected out of them. A week ago, I was leaning toward Los Angeles to finally take down Edmonton, but I am not sure what's changed; maybe it's just everyone I listen to taking them, and I want to zig where everyone has zagged. Sure, I could very well end up being wrong, but I think betting against Connor McDavid and Leon Draistail in the first round with seemingly everyone doubting has changed my mind. Like I said, I could end up looking like an idiot when all the evidence was right there, but give me Edmonton to once again take Los Angeles in round one.

Prediction: Oilers Win Series 4-3

Eastern Conference Round 1

Metropolitan Division: (1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

Biased pick? 100%, but f**k it, give me the Habs to take down the Capitals. I can fully acknowledge that Montreal almost did choke away their playoff spot down the stretch, but now that they are in, the pressure is gone and they can play loose. The Capitals have been a wagon all season long, but I have this exact same story play out in the past. Washington has a dominant regular season, which is then followed by an early playoff exit. If the Habs are going to win this series, I think it needs to be a split after four games, and I believe they'll find a way to do so, putting all the pressure on the Capitals. The 2010 vibes are eerily similar, and I believe history repeats itself as the young Canadiens take down the first-place Capitals in the first round.

Prediction: Canadiens Win Series 4-3

Metropolitan Division: (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

I'm going to be honest, this series does not excite me at all, and I don't believe I will be watching much of it at all. Both these teams have struggled going into the playoffs, so just give me the team with more playoff experience. If New Jersey had Jack Hughes, I'd probably lean toward the Devils, but without him, I just don't think New Jersey will have the firepower to escape this scrappy Hurricanes defensive system. Markstrom steals a couple of games, but the Canes move on to round 2.

Prediction: Hurricanes Win Series 4-2

Atlantic Division: (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

For the first time since 2004, we are getting the Battle of Ontario in the playoffs, and like in '04, I will be taking the Maple Leafs to take down their provincial rival. Toronto has been playing good hockey down the stretch here, and while I do think Ottawa will give Toronto a run for their money, I do think the Leafs eventually get the job done and move on onto the second round.

Prediction: Maple Leafs Win Series 4-2

Atlantic Division: (2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers

After the Panthers had been my pick to win the Eastern Conference all year long, I have decided to move off that take. Over the last month, I have not liked what I have seen from this group. Their play has been inconsistent of late, and sure, that could be due to injuries up and down their lineup. I do think this could be a sign of fatigue after going on deep runs to the Cup Final the last two seasons. On the flip side, the Lightning have been playing some of their best hockey of the season as of late, and after two straight first-round exits, they seem fresh and motivated to once again go on a deep run. After getting beaten by these Panthers in five games last season, I think the Lightning will respond and return the favor to move onto the second round.

Prediction: Lightning Win Series 4-1

Remaining Rounds & Matchups

Western Conference Second Round

• Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche- Avalanche Win Series 4-2

• Vegas Golden Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers- Golden Knights Win Series 4-1

Eastern Conference Second Round

• Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens- Hurricanes Win Series 4-1

• Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning- Lightning Win Series 4-2

Western Conference Final

• Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche- Avalanche Win Series 4-3

Eastern Conference Final

• Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricanes- Lightning Win Series 4-0

2025 Stanley Cup Final: Tampa Bay Lightning Defeat Colorado Avalanche In 6 Games

For the second time in four years, I do think the Avalanche and Lightning will meet in the Cup Final; however, unlike in 2022, I think Tampa is the team that comes out on top.

With Gabriel Landeskog's return to the lineup seemingly about to happen, I think that emotional drive gets the Avalanche through the Western Conference Final, but in the end, I just think Andrei Vasilevskiy is the difference maker, which leads to the Lightning winning the Cup.

Like I stated previously, after reaching the final for three straight years (2020-22), the Lightning have been eliminated in the first round the last two seasons, and this year, they have looked extra fresh and motivated to go on another deep run.

While it will not be an easy path to the cup, I think the Lightning will weather the storm to win their third championship in six years.