NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2025: Schedule, Bracket, Scores, and Latest Results

Sports news » NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2025: Schedule, Bracket, Scores, and Latest Results

5 months ago 46

Preview NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2025: Schedule, Bracket, Scores, and Latest Results

The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers began their second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto with a 5-4 defeat on Monday night. Despite a slow start, they mounted a significant late comeback attempt, reflecting a common trend in the current Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Toronto built a seemingly dominant 4-1 lead by the second period, thanks to two first-period goals from William Nylander and markers from Matthew Knies and Chris Tanev. A key moment occurred when Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolars exited the game after being hit in the head by an elbow from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. No penalty was assessed on the play, much to the displeasure of Leafs coach Craig Berube.

Leafs coach Craig Berube criticized the call, stating, “Elbow to the head… Clear as day… I get it, they miss calls. But it`s clearly a penalty.” Toronto confirmed Stolars was undergoing evaluation, with no immediate update provided on his condition.

Trailing 4-1 entering the third period, the Panthers mounted a push, outscoring Toronto 3-1 with goals from Eetu Luostarinen, Uvis Balinskis, and Sam Bennett. However, Florida was unable to find the tying goal.

Joseph Woll made 17 saves on 20 shots for the Maple Leafs, a performance just sufficient to secure the 1-0 series advantage.

Florida coach Paul Maurice commented on his team`s slow start, saying, “We didn`t look like ourselves… And then [we] righted it in the second and after that had a pretty good push in the third.” Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, also in Toronto.

In the other Eastern Conference second-round series, the Washington Capitals face the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals advanced after a challenging first-round victory over the Montreal Canadiens, highlighted by goaltender Logan Thompson`s strong 2.23 goals-against-average. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games and aim to reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in four years.

In the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets are matched up against the Dallas Stars. Both teams endured tough seven-game first-round series. The Jets will look for improved goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck after his 3.85 goals-against-average in the first round. The Stars hope for potential returns from injury for forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who were absent in Round 1.

Rounding out the second-round matchups, the Vegas Golden Knights face the Edmonton Oilers. The Golden Knights overcame a 2-1 series deficit against the Minnesota Wild in the first round by winning three straight games, featuring balanced scoring and a strong finish from Jack Eichel (five points in the last three games). The Oilers advanced by rallying from a 2-0 hole to defeat the Los Angeles Kings in six games, powered by the combined 21 points from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Page Contents