The 2025 NHL Playoff schedule starts on April 19th, 2025. The playoffs go through the Stanley Cup Finals that begin on June 9th, 2025. This will be the 107th season of play for the NHL with the regular season kicking off with two games in Prague, Czech Republic between the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils. We have the Stanley Cup Playoff schedules, TV broadcast information, and more as it is confirmed by the league.
When do the 2025 NHL Playoffs Start?
So, you know that we are getting into Spring when March Madness wraps up and it’ time for the 2025 NHL Playoff schedule to begin. We estimate the start of the first round of the playoffs to be April 19th, 2025. This round of play will go through approximately May 3rd give or take a few days based on how many games each series takes to wrap up. As information gets firmed up or becomes more clear, I’ll update you here. If you would like to checkout the blank, printable 2025 NHL Playoff bracket, we have one up in PDF and image formats for you.
What is the 2025 NHL Playoff Schedule?
So, no changes for this year. The 2025 NHL playoff schedule goes for four rounds. It always takes place between April and June every year. Just like the seasons. The NBA Playoffs also run in parallel to the NHL each season. Once the dust settles on offseason transactions, the draft, and more, we’ll update you on the overall Stanley Cup Playoff picture. You can also check out the list of Stanley Cup winners to see how many times your favorite team has taken home the Stanley Cup. Here’s the high-level schedule for the playoffs for you.
- First Round: April 18-May 3.
- Second Round: May 4 – TBD
- Conference Finals: TBD
- Stanley Cup Finals: June 9-TBD
We have the 2024 NHL Playoff bracket posted up here for you to work your own NHL bracketology as well as the printable 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket in PDF.
When do the Stanley Cup Finals 2025 Take Place?
The 2025 Stanley Cup Finals get started on June 9th, 2025 They are a best of seven game series. If the championship round goes the distance, we can see a game 7 in late June. As the NHL playoff picture firms up and the NHL confirms matchups, dates, and times, we’ll update you here.
What TV Channels Show the 2025 NHL Playoffs?
If you want to watch the 2025 NHL Playoffs, you’ll have several options based on what country you are in at the time. In the US, the 2025 NHL Playoffs will be shown on TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, and TBS. For Canadian hockey fans, the games are shown on Sportsnet and CBC.
2025 NHL Playoff Picture
The 2025 NHL Playoff picture is set. All updated seeds, who’s in, who’s out, etc is in the complete first round schedule for you below.
What Teams are in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs?
As of April 16th, pregame
Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators
Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues
2024-25 NHL Eastern Conference Standings
(as of pre-game April 16th if the playoffs were set today; x-clinched playoff berth; y-clinched division title; z-eliminated from postseason contention
Metropolitan Division
y-Washington Capitals (111 points)
x-Carolina Hurricanes (99)
x-New Jersey Devils (91)
Atlantic Division
y-Toronto Maple Leafs (106)
x-Tampa Bay Lightning (102)
x-Florida Panthers (98)
Wild card
x-Ottawa Senators (95)
Montreal Canadiens (89)
Sitting outside playoff position: Columbus Blue Jackets (87), z-Detroit Red Wings (83), z-New York Rangers (83), z-New York Islanders (82), z-Pittsburgh Penguins (78), z-Buffalo Sabres (77), z-Philadelphia Flyers (76), z-Boston Bruins (76)
2024-25 NHL Western Conference Standings
(as of games April 15; p-clinched Presidents’ Trophy; x-clinched playoff berth; y-clinched division title;z-eliminated from postseason contention)
Central Division
p-Winnipeg Jets (114)
x-Dallas Stars (106)
x-Colorado Avalanche (102)
Pacific Division
y-Vegas Golden Knights (108)
x-Los Angeles Kings (105)
x-Edmonton Oilers (99)
Wild card
x-Minnesota Wild (97)
x-St. Louis Blues (96)
Sitting outside playoff spot: z-Calgary Flames (94), z-Vancouver Canucks (90), z-Utah Hockey Club (89),
z-Anaheim Ducks (79), z-Seattle Kraken (76), z-Nashville Predators (66), z-Chicago Blackhawks (61), z-San Jose Sharks (52)
2025 NHL Playoff Schedule
2025 NHL Playoffs – First Round
2025 NHL Playoff Schedule – Eastern Conference
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Ottawa Senators (WC2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (1A)
Game 1: Senators at Maple Leafs, Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, ESPN2
Game 2: Senators at Maple Leafs, Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, ESPN2
Game 3: Maple Leafs at Senators, Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS, ESPN2
Game 4: Maple Leafs at Senators, Saturday, April 26, 7 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS, truTV, MAX
Game 5: Senators at Maple Leafs, Tuesday, April 29, TBD *
Game 6: Maple Leafs at Senators, Thursday, May 1, TBD *
Game 7: Senators at Maple Leafs, Saturday, May 3, TBD *
* If necessary
Florida Panthers (3A) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (2A)
Game 1: Panthers at Lightning, Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS
Game 2: Panthers at Lightning, Thursday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, MAX, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS
Game 3: Lightning at Panthers, Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, MAX,, SN, TVAS, FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS
Game 4: Lightning at Panthers, Monday, April 28, TBD
Game 5: Panthers at Lightning, Wednesday, April 30, TBD *
Game 6: Lightning at Panthers, Friday, May 2, TBD *
Game 7: Panthers at Lightning, Sunday, May 4, TBD *
* If necessary
Montreal Canadiens (WC2) vs. Washington Capitals (1M)
Game 1: Canadiens at at Capitals, Monday, April 21, 7 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS, MNMT
Game 2: Canadiens at Capitals, Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS, MNMT
Game 3: Capitals at Canadiens, Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, MAX, MNMT
Game 4: Capitals at Canadiens, Sunday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS, truTV, MAX, MNMT
Game 5: Canadiens at Capitals, Wednesday, April 30, TBD *
Game 6: Capitals at Canadiens, Friday, May 2, TBD *
Game 7: Canadiens/at Capitals, Sunday, May 4, TBD *
* If necessary
New Jersey Devils (3M) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (2M)
Game 1: Devils at Hurricanes, Sunday, April 20, 3 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS, FDSNSO, MSGSN
Game 2: Devils at Hurricanes, Tuesday, April 22, 6 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNSO, MSGSN
Game 3: Hurricanes at Devils, Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET; TBS, MAX, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNSO, MSGSN
Game 4: Hurricanes at Devils, Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, MAX, SN, SN360, TVAS, FDSNSO, MSGSN
Game 5: Devils at Hurricanes, Tuesday, April 29, TBD *
Game 6: Hurricanes at Devils, Friday, May 2, TBD *
Game 7: Devils at Hurricanes, Sunday, May 4, TBD *
* If necessary
2025 NHL Playoff Schedule – Western Conference
WESTERN CONFERENCE
St. Louis Blues (WC2) vs. Winnipeg Jets (1C)
Game 1: Blues at Jets, Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, MAX, FDSNMW
Game 2: Blues at Jets, Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS2, ESPN2, FDSNSW
Game 3: Jets at Blues, Thursday, April 24, 9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS, FDSNSW
Game 4: Jets at Blues, Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS, FDSNMW
Game 5: Blues at Jets, Wednesday, April 30, TBD *
Game 6: Jets at Blues, Friday, May 2, TBD *
Game 7: Blues at Jets, Sunday, May 4, TBD *
* If necessary
Colorado Avalanche (3C) vs. Dallas Stars (2C)
Game 1: Avalanche at Stars, Saturday, April 19, 8:30 p.m. ET; TNT, MAX, truTV, SN360, SN, TVAS, Victory+, ALT
Game 2: Avalanche at Stars, Monday, April 21, 9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360, TVAS-D, Victory+, ALT
Game 3: Stars at Avalanche, Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360, TVAS2, Victory+, ALT
Game 4: Stars at Avalanche, Saturday, April 26, 9:30 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, MAX, SN, TVAS, Victory+, ALT
Game 5: Avalanche at Stars, Monday, April 28, TBD *
Game 6: Stars at Avalanche, Thursday, May 1, TBD *
Game 7: Avalanche at Stars, Saturday, May 3, TBD*
* If necessary
Minnesota Wild (WC1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (1P)
Game 1: Wild at Golden Knights, Sunday, April 20, 10 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS
Game 2: Wild at Golden Knights, Tuesday, April 22, 11 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS
Game 3: Golden Knights at Wild, Thursday, April 24, 9 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, MAX, SN360, TVAS2, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS
Game 4: Golden Knights at Wild, Saturday, April 26, 4 p.m. ET; TBS, truTV, MAX, SNW, SNP, SN1, TVAS, FDSNNO, SCRIPPS
Game 5: Wild at Golden Knights, Tuesday, April 29, TBD *
Game 6: Golden Knights at Wild, Thursday, May 1, TBD *
Game 7: Wild at Golden Knights, Saturday, May 3, TBD *
* If necessary
Edmonton Oilers (3P) vs. Los Angeles Kings (2P)
Game 1: Oilers at Kings, Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, TVAS2, FDSNW
Game 2: Oilers at Kings, Wednesday, April 23, 10 p.m. ET; TBS, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS, FDSNW
Game 3: Kings at Oilers, Friday, April 25, 10 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS2, TNT, truTV, MAX, FDSNW
Game 4: Kings at Oilers, Sunday, April 27, 9:30 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS, truTV, MAX, FDSNW
Game 5: Oilers at Kings, Tuesday, April 29, TBD *
Game 6: Kings at Oilers, Thursday, May 1, TBD *
Game 7: Oilers at Kings, Saturday, May 3, TBD *
* If necessary
2025 NHL Playoffs – Second Round
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Florida Panthers (3A) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (1A)
Florida leads series 3-2
Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
Game 4: Panthers 2, Maple Leafs 0
Game 5: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1
Game 6: Maple Leafs at Panthers, Friday, May 16, 8 p.m. ET; TNT, MAX, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 7: Panthers at Maple Leafs, Sunday, May 18, 7:30 p.m. ET; TNT, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS *
* If necessary
Carolina Hurricanes (2M) vs. Washington Capitals (1M)
Carolina wins series 4-1
Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1
Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2
Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas Stars (3C) vs. Winnipeg Jets (C1)
Dallas leads series 3-2
Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0
Game 3: Stars 5, Jets 2
Game 4: Stars 3, Jets 1
Game 5: Jets 4, Stars 0
Game 6: Jets at Stars, Saturday, May 17, 8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 7: Stars at Jets, Monday, May 19, TBD; ESPN, TVAS *
* If necessary
Edmonton Oilers (3P) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (1P)
Edmonton wins series 4-1
Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
Game 4: Oilers 3, Golden Knights 0
Game 5: Oilers 1, Golden Knights 0 (OT)
2025 NHL Playoffs – Conference Finals
| MATCHUP | DATE | TIME (ET) | TV |
| Winner of 1-4-5-8 vs. Winner of 2-3-6-7. | TBD | TBD | TBD |
2025 Stanley Cup Finals Schedule
| MATCHUP | DATE | TIME (ET) | TV |
| Game 1 | June 9 – TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 2 | June TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 3 | June TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 4 | June TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5* | June TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | June TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | June TBD | TBD | TBD |
2024 NHL Playoff Highlights (Stanley Cup Finals Game 1)
To get you ready for 2025, we have highlights from the 2024 playoffs. You can also check when the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup here.
