Following two thrilling Game 7 finishes that wrapped up the first round, the pairings for the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are now finalized. Eight teams remain in contention for hockey`s top honor. Over the next fortnight, these teams will compete head-to-head to determine the finalists for both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
In the Eastern Conference, the defending champions, the Florida Panthers, have demonstrated their formidable strength and are still considered a top contender. However, they face a significant challenge from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Washington Capitals, who ended the regular season with the East`s best record, will compete against the Carolina Hurricanes in a Metropolitan Division showdown.
Moving to the Western Conference, the top seed, the Winnipeg Jets, narrowly avoided an upset in the initial round but now encounter an even stronger opponent in the Dallas Stars. The Stars themselves staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 2-0 deficit in Game 7 to eliminate the Colorado Avalanche. Dallas is now seen as the favorite to defeat the team that earned the Presidents` Trophy.
Lastly, the Vegas Golden Knights are set to clash with the Edmonton Oilers in a series anticipated to be highly competitive. Vegas advanced by defeating the Minnesota Wild in six games, while Edmonton secured their spot by winning four consecutive games against the Los Angeles Kings.
As the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs commences, here are expert predictions for the winner of each series.
Panthers vs. Maple Leafs
Series odds: Panthers -184, Maple Leafs +150
According to expert Bengel, the Panthers appeared dominant in their first-round victory over the Lightning. The return of Matthew Tkachuk bolstered their already balanced offensive attack, supported by reliable goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky, who posted a 2.21 goals-against-average in the first round. For the Maple Leafs to succeed, their key players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares must deliver exceptional performances and find ways to score frequently. Despite Toronto`s potential, Florida`s offensive depth and status as defending champions make them the favored team.
Expert Nivison notes that the Maple Leafs navigated past the Senators and reached the second round again, facing the Panthers who eliminated them previously in five games. Success for Toronto depends on sustained strong play from their main offensive group, including Matthew Knies, who combined for 12 goals and 20 assists against the Senators. The Panthers` performance in Round 1 was formidable, with key players like Gustav Forsling and center Aleksander Barkov effectively neutralizing the Lightning`s top offensive threats. Florida is known for its ability to contain elite players while possessing a strong scoring ability themselves. Though the Maple Leafs are expected to compete hard, Barkov`s impact is seen as a deciding factor in favor of Florida.
Hurricanes vs. Capitals
Series odds: Hurricanes -160, Capitals +140
Expert Bengel points out that the Capitals faced a challenge from the Canadiens despite winning in five games. Washington had a strong offense in the regular season, ranking second in goals per game (3.49). However, they might rely too heavily on Alex Ovechkin, while the Hurricanes possess more scoring depth with players like Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho. Both teams were among the top defensively in the first round with the lowest goals-against-averages. The potential return of Hurricanes starting goalie Frederik Andersen from injury would be a major boost. Bengel forecasts a lengthy, tight series, ultimately backing the Hurricanes due to their defensive capability.
Expert Nivison observes that both teams were clear favorites and performed accordingly. Goaltending has been particularly impressive, with Logan Thompson and Frederik Andersen leading the playoffs in goals saved above average. The key question is which goalie might falter. If Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov maintain their strong first-round performance, it could be Thompson. Svechnikov rediscovered his scoring touch, and Aho proved to be an excellent two-way center. For the Capitals, Alex Ovechkin showed he can still score playoff goals with four against Montreal. However, Carolina`s defense is significantly stronger than Montreal`s, making goals harder for Washington. Nivison believes the Hurricanes will win the series.
Stars vs. Jets
Series odds: Stars -165, Jets +140
Expert Bengel notes both teams had dramatic first-round series. Mikko Rantanen had outstanding performances in Games 6 and 7 for the Stars against the Avalanche, racking up eight points in those two games. Dallas managed to win the series despite key injuries to Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen. Given their depth, particularly down the middle, Bengel sees the Stars as the team to beat in this matchup. Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a Vezina Trophy favorite, struggled in the opening round against the Blues, posting a 3.85 goals-against-average and a .830 save percentage. Bengel believes Hellebuyck needs to significantly improve for the Jets to compete with the Stars` powerful offense, which he doesn`t foresee happening.
Expert Nivison highlights that both teams were on the brink of elimination in their respective Game 7 third periods but mounted dramatic comebacks. The Jets advanced despite further struggles from Connor Hellebuyck, whose goals allowed above average ranked last among playoff goalies (9.84 per Natural Stat Trick). The crucial question for Nivison is whether Hellebuyck can build confidence from his overtime performance in Game 7. If he doesn`t improve, the series could be brief, as the Stars possess too much offensive talent, especially with Jason Robertson nearing a return, to allow soft goals. Furthermore, Winnipeg may face challenges as Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrisey were banged up after their physical first-round series. Dallas is seen as deeper, healthier, and benefiting from better goaltending.
Oilers vs. Golden Knights
Series odds: Golden Knights -115, Oilers -105
Expert Bengel observes that the Golden Knights had a shaky start against the Wild but ultimately advanced on talent. However, their 3.17 goals-against-average in that series is concerning heading into a matchup with the high-powered Oilers, necessitating better play from goaltender Adin Hill, particularly like his performance in the final three games against Minnesota. While Vegas`s offense started slow, Jack Eichel finished the first round strongly with five points in the last three games. Meanwhile, the Oilers led the league in the first round with an average of 4.5 goals per contest against the Kings, scoring five or more goals in three games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl consistently generate scoring opportunities. Edmonton`s historical weakness has been goaltending. They switched to Calvin Pickard as the starter for the last four games against Los Angeles, winning all of them. Bengel suggests that if Pickard can provide steady goaltending, the Oilers have a chance, but ultimately believes the Golden Knights will do enough to win a tight series.
Expert Nivison notes that the Oilers demonstrated in the last round how Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl`s combined 21 points could overcome team deficiencies, leading to four consecutive wins after falling behind 2-0. The Kings, despite being well-equipped to handle the Oilers` stars, couldn`t contain them consistently. On paper, the Golden Knights should be up to the challenge, but Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin had inconsistent performances against the Wild. If this continues, McDavid and Draisaitl could thrive. Conversely, the Oilers are still missing Mattias Ekholm on defense, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from players like Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl. With neither team receiving stellar goaltending in the first round, Nivison predicts a potentially high-scoring series. In such a scenario, betting against McDavid and the Oilers is difficult.
Elton Marrow