Updated Mid-Season NHL Playoff Predictions

We've officially reached the halfway point of the 2024-25 NHL regular season. Time is flying, and as the games start to carry more weight, the majority of the league is still in the playoff race, making for an exciting season of hockey. The last time I updated my predictions was around American Thanksgiving, and with the season now at its midpoint, I thought it would be a great time for an update. Here are my revised predictions for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

East Playoff Teams:

Atlantic Teams:

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

2. Florida Panthers

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

Metro Teams:

1. Washington Capitals (conference winner)

2. Carolina Hurricanes

3. New Jersey Devils

Wildcard Teams:

1. Columbus Blue Jackets

2. Montreal Canadiens

Just Missed: Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Washington Capitals have been dominant all season, and I believe they'll continue their strong play to finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference. In the Metro division, the Hurricanes and Devils will finish just behind them. Over in the Atlantic, the Toronto Maple Leafs have played consistently well and will win the division, narrowly edging out the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, with the Tampa Bay Lightning close behind.

Call me crazy for my wildcard picks, but I believe both of these teams will find a way into the postseason. After a challenging and turbulent year, the Columbus Blue Jackets will sneak into the playoffs, while the Montreal Canadiens, after a slow start, will catch fire down the stretch and secure the final wildcard spot. The Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and Pittsburgh Penguins will unfortunately fall short of making the playoffs.

West Playoff Teams:

Pacific Teams:

1. Vegas Golden Knights (conference winner)

2. Edmonton Oilers

3. Los Angeles Kings

   
   

Central Teams:

1. Winnipeg Jets

2. Minnesota Wild

3. Dallas Stars

Wildcard Teams:

1. Colorado Avalanche

2. Vancouver Canucks

Just Missed: Calgary Flames, Utah Hockey Club

The Vegas Golden Knights will finish atop the Pacific Division and the Western Conference, securing the #1 seed. They’ll be followed by the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings in the division, setting up a fourth consecutive playoff matchup between the two in the first round. In the Central Division, the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars will claim the top three spots. Despite frustrating regular seasons, the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks will still manage to secure the final two playoff spots in the West. The Calgary Flames and Utah Hockey Club will unfortunately miss the postseason.

Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Matchups & Winners

Eastern Conference First Round

• A1: Toronto Maple Leafs Vs WC1: Columbus Blue Jackets- Maple Leafs 4-2

• A2: Florida Panthers Vs A3: Tampa Bay Lightning- Panthers 4-2

• M1: Washington Capitals Vs WC2: Montreal Canadiens- Capitals 4-1

• M2: Carolina Hurricanes Vs M3: New Jersey Devils- Devils 4-2

Western Conference First Round

• C1: Winnipeg Jets Vs WC1: Colorado Avalanche- Jets 4-2

• C2: Minnesota Wild Vs C3: Dallas Stars- Wild 4-3

• P1: Vegas Golden Knights Vs WC2: Vancouver Canucks- Golden Knights 4-1

• P2: Edmonton Oilers Vs P3: Los Angeles Kings- Oilers 4-0

Eastern Conference Second Round

• A1: Toronto Maple Leafs Vs A2: Florida Panthers- Panthers 4-1

• M1: Washington Capitals Vs M3: New Jersey Devils- Devils 4-2

Western Conference Second Round

• C1: Winnipeg Jets Vs C2: Minnesota Wild- Wild 4-3

• P1: Vegas Golden Knights Vs P2: Edmonton Oilers- Oilers 4-2

Eastern Conference Final

• A2: Florida Panthers Vs M3: New Jersey Devils- Panthers 4-1

Western Conference Final

• P2: Edmonton Oilers Vs C2: Minnesota Wild- Oilers 4-2

2025 Stanley Cup Final: Edmonton Oilers Defeat Florida Panthers In 6 Games

This was my pick in the preseason, it was my pick at Thanksgiving, and I have no reason to change it now. Until proven otherwise, I still believe the Oilers and Panthers are the two best teams in hockey. After a thrilling seven-game series last year, I’m predicting a rematch in the finals. With that, I believe Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and company will get their revenge after last season’s loss to the Panthers, bringing the Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993.

Both Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby lost in the finals the year before winning their first championships, and I think McDavid will follow in the footsteps of those legends, capturing his first title in 2025.