The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, with 16 teams competing for the most prestigious trophy in sports.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff teams are set, and several top teams will be vying for the championship this season. The NHL postseason is always exciting, and this year should be no different. The league is full of talented players who will be showcasing their skills over the next few months. Here`s a player to watch from each of the 16 playoff teams.
Nikita Kucherov | RW | Tampa Bay Lightning
Nikita Kucherov is one of the best offensive players in the NHL, as he demonstrated throughout the regular season. For the second year in a row, Kucherov will receive the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL`s leading scorer. This is the third time in the last seven seasons that Kucherov has led the league in points. He finished the season with 121 points (37 goals, 84 assists) in 77 games. These numbers don`t fully capture how dangerous Kucherov is in open ice. He has a powerful shot and incredible vision, allowing him to set up his teammates. Kucherov will be crucial for the Lightning as they aim for another Stanley Cup run this spring.
Auston Matthews | C | Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews is arguably the most gifted goal scorer in hockey. The Maple Leafs star recently scored his 400th goal in just nine professional seasons. Matthews scored 32 goals in the regular season, despite missing some games due to injury. He is a power forward who can score from anywhere on the ice. The Maple Leafs have been eliminated in the first round in six of the last seven seasons and haven`t won the Stanley Cup since 1967. If Toronto wants to change their fortunes this year, Matthews will need to lead the way.
Brad Marchand | RW | Florida Panthers
The Panthers are aiming for consecutive Stanley Cups, but it will be a challenging task. Star winger Matthew Tkachuk was injured in February and has been out since. As a result, the Panthers acquired veteran winger Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins before the trade deadline. Marchand`s role could be even more important if Tkachuk misses playoff time. While Tkachuk`s offensive presence is missed, his physicality and ability to get under opponents` skin might be even more missed. Marchand brings that element to the game and is still a strong scorer. His postseason experience could be a valuable asset to the Florida team at this time of year.
Alex Ovechkin | LW | Washington Capitals
It has been an eventful season for Ovechkin. The Capitals star became the NHL`s all-time leading goal scorer, passing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th goal earlier this month. Even at 39, Ovechkin remains a dynamic offensive player. He still has one of the most powerful one-timers in the league and can lead Washington on a Stanley Cup run. The Capitals were contenders for the Presidents` Trophy and had the best record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. If Ovechkin can replicate his regular-season success in the playoffs, he will be a must-watch player this spring.
Sebastian Aho | C | Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have a strong group of forwards, but trading Mikko Rantanen at the deadline was a setback. Consequently, the Hurricanes will need their top forwards to step up if they want playoff success, starting with Sebastian Aho. Aho has an excellent shot and can be very effective from the slot. He is also Carolina`s top playmaker, leading the team with 45 assists this season. If Aho can dominate in the offensive zone, the Hurricanes have the potential to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference.
Jacob Markstrom | G | New Jersey Devils
The Devils suffered a significant blow when star forward Jack Hughes was injured for the season. Hughes is New Jersey`s most talented offensive player, so his absence is a major loss for the playoffs. For the Devils to have any playoff success, goaltender Jacob Markstrom will need to be outstanding. New Jersey had been searching for a franchise goalie for years and finally found one in Markstrom. The veteran goalie had a solid season with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage, but he might need to be even better to keep New Jersey`s playoff hopes alive.
Brady Tkachuk | LW | Ottawa Senators
Even if Matthew Tkachuk is unable to play for the Panthers, there will still be a Tkachuk brother in the playoffs. Senators star forward Brady Tkachuk had an upper-body injury late in the season but played in Ottawa`s regular-season finale. Like his brother Matthew, Tkachuk is known for his agitating style and exceptional scoring ability, which he showcased at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Tkachuk can get to the tough areas and score at any moment. He leads a strong top-six forward group and will be looking for success in his first playoff experience.
Lane Hutson | D | Montreal Canadiens
Before the season started, Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov were considered the top contenders for the Calder Trophy as the NHL`s best rookie. However, Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson has impressed as a great playmaker on Montreal`s defense. Hutson finished the regular season tied for second among NHL defensemen in assists (60). The rookie defenseman is a fantastic puck-mover with great speed and vision on the ice. Hutson is also strong defensively, with 123 blocked shots and only 34 penalty minutes all season. The Canadiens` young star will be crucial to their playoff performance as they face the Capitals in the first round.
Connor Hellebuyck | G | Winnipeg Jets
While trying to avoid the obvious choice, it`s clear that the Jets` Stanley Cup hopes rest on Connor Hellebuyck. He is considered the best goalie in the world and is looking to redeem himself after a poor 2024 playoff showing. In five games against the Avalanche last year, Hellebuyck allowed 7.10 goals above average with a .865 save percentage. This was some of the worst goaltending of his career, but he rebounded with one of his best regular seasons. Can he continue this form in the playoffs? If so, the Jets can beat any team.
Jack Eichel | C | Vegas Golden Knights
Few players have had as much impact on their team as Jack Eichel. He played at a superstar level all season and is a key reason why the Golden Knights are Stanley Cup favorites. Eichel led Vegas to a Cup in 2023, but he may have played even better in 2024-25. Eichel set career highs in assists (66) and points (94), but that doesn`t fully capture his brilliance. With Eichel on the ice at five-on-five, Vegas has a 52.9% expected goals share and a plus-27 goal differential. If this continues, Eichel could be adding his name to the Cup again.
Thomas Harley | D | Dallas Stars
The Stars` forwards are highly praised, but their defensive performance will be crucial. Since Miro Heiskanen`s knee surgery in January, Dallas has struggled defensively. Heiskanen might return later in the series against the Avalanche, but until then, the Stars will rely heavily on young Thomas Harley. The 23-year-old had career highs in all offensive categories and was the only defenseman besides Heiskanen with strong five-on-five impact. Can Harley handle the role of a top defenseman in the playoffs?
Cale Makar | D | Colorado Avalanche
There are many players to watch on the Avalanche, but Cale Makar could be one of the most impactful players in the entire postseason. Makar is coming off an incredible regular season, especially offensively. He became the first defenseman to score 30 goals since 2009 and nearly reached 100 points. Makar can drive play from the blue line, a rare ability for defensemen, and he is an exciting player to watch.
Darcy Kuemper | G | Los Angeles Kings
When the Kings traded for Darcy Kuemper last summer, it seemed like a risky move for both sides. However, both teams benefited, and Los Angeles received excellent goaltending from Kuemper. His goals saved above average rank third in the league. If the Kings are to overcome their rivals, Kuemper will need to make crucial saves in key moments.
Leon Draisaitl | C | Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid is the main star in Edmonton, but Leon Draisaitl is a strong supporting player and a Hart Trophy contender. Draisaitl won the Maurice `Rocket` Richard Trophy with 52 goals, and the Oilers need his offense because their depth scoring has been lacking. Fortunately for the Oilers, Draisaitl performs well in the playoffs. In 74 career playoff games, he has 41 goals, and Edmonton will need him to maintain that pace to reach the Final again.
Kirill Kaprizov | LW | Minnesota Wild
Minnesota is considered an underdog against the Golden Knights, especially offensively. Kirill Kaprizov might be the player who can close the gap, as he is the most dynamic offensive threat on either team. Injuries limited Kaprizov in the regular season, but he can change games when he`s at his best. In 2023-24, Kaprizov scored 46 goals and 96 points. If the Wild are to pull off an upset, Kaprizov will need to score against a strong Vegas defense.
Jake Neighbours | LW | St. Louis Blues
Dylan Holloway is injured, at least for the start of the series, so another young forward will need to step up for the Blues. Jake Neighbours could be that player, as he scored 22 goals and a career-high 46 points. St. Louis needs all the offensive help they can get against Connor Hellebuyck, and Neighbours will have a bigger role in the lineup with Holloway out. Can he contribute alongside Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou to provide timely goals in what is expected to be a low-scoring series?
