We have the printable 2025 NHL Playoff bracket in PDF up for you to use for free. The bracket is blank until the playoff seeds are set at the conclusion of regular season play. The 2025 NHL Playoffs start on or around April 18th, 2025 and run through mid-late June. Once we get closer to the playoffs, the NHL will confirm the exact start date for us as well as the bookends for the Stanley Cup Finals.
How Many NHL Teams Earn a Spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff?
So, the NHL is sorta set up like the NBA Playoff Bracket with 16 teams earning postseason berths. There is no play-in game in the NHL playoff schedule. We also seed the teams based on points and not straight up W-L percentages, and so on. The three divisional winners in each conference and top two teams in each division earn playoff spots. Then, the top 2 remaining teams independent of division win the last two spots. In the bracket, the top 2 seeds take on the Wild Card teams too, so its setup is a tad different there as well. Does it all make sense?
What is the Format of the Playoff Series?
Every series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a best of seven affair. The teams will rotate between locations based on the rotation in use. We can expect it to be similar if not the same as past postseasons with a HHAAHAH rotation. In this scheme, H stands for the home team of the better team (or seed closer to the #1). The first team to win four games wins the series and moves on to the next round of play.
NHL Seed Determination for the Postseason
So, for the NHL Playoffs, the best team in each conference is the overall #1 seed. They play the lower ranked wild card team in the first round of the playoffs (WC2 on the bracket). The #2 ranked team plays the better wild card team (WC 1 on the bracket). Done the same in each conference. Then you see the remaining teams paired up by seed. We don’t reseed in the NHL playoffs anymore (has been a few years).
2025 NHL Playoff Picture
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)e
2025 NHL Playoff Schedule – 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
Complete Wild-Golden Knights series coverage
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
Printable 2025 NHL Playoff Bracket and Stanley Cup Finals
We have a blank, printable 2025 NHL Playoff bracket posted up for you. It’s in image format above and in PDF here. When we get the final bracket seeds and matchups set from the NHL regular season, we’ll come back and update you. Once we see the 2024-25 regular season schedules published, we’ll also update you with an initial NHL Playoff Picture. You can look at the list of all of the Stanley Cup winners while you wait for the playoffs to get here too. The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff schedule is up here for you too.
Updated 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket
Here’s the updated 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket for you.
2024 Stanley Cup Finals Highlights (Game 3)
Here are some highlights from the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals to check out.
