The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and the second round matchups are coming into focus. We don’t have a start date for the next round, but it will likely be around May 4 or 5, depending on if any of the first round series go seven games.
The Carolina Hurricanes were the first team to clinch and their second-round opponent, the Washington Capitals, followed them. Here’s a look at the updated playoff bracket as the second-round field continues to settle.
2023 NHL playoff bracket: Second Round
Eastern Conference
No. 2 MET Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 1 MET Washington Capitals
The Hurricanes and Capitals both won their opening series in five games. Carolina rolled over the New Jersey Devils while Washington thumped the Montreal Canadiens. Sebastian Aho led the Hurricanes with eight points while Andrei Svechnikov led the team with five goals. Frederik Andersen gave up 1.59 goals per game minding the net in the first round. Dylan Strome led the Caps with nine points and naturally Alex Ovechkin led them with four goals. Logan Thompson gave up 2.23 goals per game in the first round series.
The two teams split their four-game regular season series. The final game of the season series was the only one to go to overtime. Game 1 of the series is set for Tuesday, May 6.
No. 3 ATL Florida Panthers vs. No. 1 ATL Toronto Maple Leafs
The Panthers upset the Tampa Bay Lightning, winning the series in five games. Sam Reinhart led the team with six points, while Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuck each led the team with three goals. Sergei Bobrovsky gave up 2.21 goals per game in the series. The Maple Leafs had to go six games, but took care of the Ottawa Senators. Mitch Marner led the team with seven points and John Tavares led the team with three goals. Anthony Stolarz gave up 2.25 goals per game in the first round.
The Panthers won the regular season series, winning three of the four games. The teams played the final two games in April and split them. Game 1 of the series is set for Monday, May 5.
Western Conference
No. 1 PAC Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 3 PAC Edmonton Oilers
The Golden Knights beat the Minnesota Wild in six games to advance out of the first round. Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl led Vegas with five points, and Hertl led the team with three goals. Adin Hill gave up 2.83 goals per game during the series. The Oilers upset the Los Angeles Kings in six games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for 21 points in the first round series, while Evan Bouchard led the team with four goals. Calvin Pickard started the four wins in goal and allowed 2.93 goals per game. Stuart Skinner started the two losses and gave up 6.11 goals per game. The Golden Knights and Oilers split their season series, with each team claiming a road game.
No. 2 CEN Dallas Stars vs. No. 1 CEN Winnipeg Jets or WC2 St. Louis Blues
