The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have seen their first series concluded. The Carolina Hurricanes eliminated the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 on Tuesday night with a thrilling 5-4 double-overtime victory, sealed by a power-play goal from Sebastian Aho, sending the Devils home for the summer.
New Jersey initially appeared poised to extend the series, taking a commanding 3-0 lead early in Game 5. However, Carolina quickly responded with three goals of their own in the second period. Despite a strong performance from Devils goaltender Jacob Markström, who stopped 32 consecutive shots, a crucial high-sticking penalty in the second overtime proved costly. Carolina capitalized on the ensuing power play to win. The Hurricanes will advance to face the victor of the series between the Capitals and Canadiens.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs missed an opportunity to close out their series. The Ottawa Senators forced a Game 6 with a dominant 4-0 win. Goaltender Linus Ullmark earned his first career playoff shutout with 29 saves. Thomas Chabot and Dylan Cozens scored for Ottawa, with two empty-net goals securing the victory. The Senators are now attempting a rare comeback, as only four teams in NHL history have ever won a series after trailing 3-0. They aim to take the next step in Game 6 on Thursday.
In another comeback story, the Edmonton Oilers have rebounded from an 0-2 deficit against the Los Angeles Kings to take a 3-2 series lead. They have a chance to eliminate the Kings at home on Thursday. This series shifted significantly; since Game 4, the Oilers have controlled play, outshooting and outscoring Los Angeles. The Kings are looking to avoid being eliminated by Edmonton in the first round for the fourth consecutive year, but the Oilers seem to have found their rhythm.
The Vegas Golden Knights reached a franchise milestone on Tuesday, playing their 100th playoff game – an impressive feat for a team less than ten years old. They celebrated by defeating the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in overtime, taking a 3-2 series lead. An interesting statistic: Vegas has won 41 consecutive playoff games when scoring at least three goals.
Looking ahead to Wednesday night, three Game 5s are scheduled. The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals both have opportunities to advance by eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens, respectively. In another crucial Game 5, the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues will face off in Canada, vying to break their 2-2 tie and take a 3-2 series lead.
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2 | Recap
Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0 | Recap
Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | at OTT
*Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at TOR
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers
Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2 | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0 | Recap
Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1 | Recap
Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2 | Recap
Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | at TB
*Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at FLA
*Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at TB
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens
Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1 | Recap
Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3 | Recap
Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2 | Recap
Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | at WSH
*Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at MTL
*Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at WSH
(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT) | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2 | Recap
Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT) | Recap
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3 | Recap
Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1 | Recap
Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1 | Recap
Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | at WPG
Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at STL
*Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at WPG
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche
Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2 | Recap
Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | at COL
*Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at DAL
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2 | Recap
Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | at MIN
*Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at VGK
(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5 | Recap
Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2 | Recap
Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1 | Recap
Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | at EDM
*Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at LA
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale