The 2025 NHL playoffs are set to commence on Saturday, with 16 teams vying for the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup. The journey to lift this coveted trophy will be challenging and demanding, but ultimately rewarding for the team that emerges victorious.
The question on everyone`s mind is: which team will it be? This year`s playoff field is quite open, with several teams considered legitimate contenders, making the postseason unpredictable. NHL experts have shared their predictions on which teams are most likely to go all the way and have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup.
According to SportsLine, the favorites as the playoffs begin are the Colorado Avalanche (+750), Florida Panthers (+750), Dallas Stars (+800), and Vegas Golden Knights (+800). Will one of these top teams live up to expectations, or could a dark horse like the St. Louis Blues (+3500) or Montreal Canadiens (+6000) surprise everyone with an improbable championship run?
Over the next few months, the world`s best hockey players will battle fiercely for the sport`s most prestigious trophy. With so much at stake, experts have made their initial picks for which team will be celebrating as Stanley Cup champions when the final buzzer sounds at the end of the playoffs.
Stanley Cup Picks
Nivison: I strongly believe that the Western Conference champion will emerge from the series between the Avalanche and Stars, and I`m leaning towards the Avalanche. In the past two postseasons, a lack of center depth hindered Colorado`s deep playoff aspirations. However, the addition of Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle to support Nathan MacKinnon has addressed this issue. This strengthened center lineup should be sufficient to navigate the competitive Western Conference. In the Eastern Conference, I anticipate the Lightning will reaffirm their status as a playoff powerhouse. With Andrei Vasilevskiy performing at his peak, the Lightning are poised to secure another conference title.
This sets the stage for a rematch of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, where the Avalanche prevailed in six games. While Tampa Bay might put up a stronger fight this time, the Avalanche`s superior speed and skill will likely be too much for the Lightning`s experienced defensive unit to handle. Pick — Avalanche defeat Lightning 4-3 (Avalanche future odds: +750)
Bengel: The Lightning experienced a significant change with Steven Stamkos departing in free agency to join the Predators. However, the Lightning proactively addressed this loss by acquiring Jake Guentzel prior to free agency. This acquisition could be the missing piece, as Guentzel achieved a career-high 41 goals during the regular season. Guentzel, alongside Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel, forms one of the most formidable forward groups in the league.
Unsurprisingly, the Lightning led the NHL in scoring with 3.56 goals per game and boast one of the league`s most potent power-play units. Kucherov, the NHL`s points leader, remains an elite playmaker capable of carrying the offensive load, even with the team`s overall offensive depth. Adding to their offensive prowess, Andrei Vasilevskiy`s playoff experience is a major asset for the Lightning. Vasilevskiy has consistently excelled on the biggest stage, notably recording a 1.90 goals-against average in both of Tampa Bay`s Stanley Cup-winning seasons in 2020 and 2021. When Vasilevskiy is at his best, few goaltenders can match his skill.
After early exits in the first round in the past two seasons, the Lightning have bolstered their roster with key additions like Guentzel and the returning Ryan McDonagh. Their offensive firepower, Victor Hedman leading the defense, and Vasilevskiy in goal create a championship-caliber formula, and this team is proven in high-pressure playoff situations. Pick — Lightning defeat Golden Knights 4-3 (Lightning future odds: +900)
