With the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs now in the rearview mirror, attention quickly turns to the high-stakes action of the second round
Just eight teams remain, each with their sights set on hockey’s ultimate prize—and the intensity has only ramped up.
Several contenders have already asserted themselves, showcasing either early dominance or impressive resilience. Among the standout performers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and Carolina Hurricanes have delivered strong starts, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling push toward the Stanley Cup.
Eastern Conference Clashes Intensify
The Eastern Conference features two compelling matchups, both showcasing teams that finished strongly in the regular season. The Washington Capitals, who ended with the best record in the East, face off against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs, division winners for the first time in a quarter-century, are locked in a series with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
These series promise a blend of skilled hockey, strategic depth, and significant playoff history. The early games have already hinted at the high stakes and competitive nature of these second-round matchups.
Hurricanes and Capitals: A Series Fueled by Bad Blood
The Washington Capitals versus Carolina Hurricanes series is predicted to be the best of the second round, albeit flying under the national radar – despite its potential for drama and intensity.
The NHL playoffs are set to reach new heights in this highly anticipated matchup, fueled by lingering tension from a heated regular-season clash. Their April 2nd meeting was especially intense, racking up penalties that included eight 10-minute misconducts and four fighting majors—an early preview of the physicality on display.
While a subsequent game was notably calmer, the presence of players like Tom Wilson suggests this series will still be emotionally charged and hard-hitting. Both teams rank among the NHL’s best, with Washington boasting the Eastern Conference’s top record and Carolina finishing just four wins and 12 points behind in the standings.
Carolina’s Disciplined Approach
The Carolina Hurricanes rely on a disciplined dump-and-chase system that emphasizes puck possession and shot suppression. This approach helped them allow the fewest shots per game in the NHL this season, averaging just 24.9.
They also led the league in unblocked shot attempts with 50.3 per game, indicating a significant volume imbalance in their favor. Their goaltending duties were shared during the season, and while one starter was injured in the first round, the expected starter for Game 1 of the second round was practicing.
Washington’s Physicality and Scoring Depth
Washington thrives in physical contests, an area where Carolina may not match their intensity. The Capitals averaged the second-most goals per game in the NHL, scoring 286 over the season. Despite being held to a low shot count (23 per game) by Carolina in regular season matchups, their ability to score efficiently poses a threat.
The Washington goaltender also posted a respectable save percentage (.923) and goals-against average (2.23) in the first round. Expect physicality to be tested, potentially disrupting Carolina’s structured game.
Maple Leafs – Navigating a Psychological Battle
The series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers is anticipated to be as much a psychological contest as a physical one. Success in this matchup may hinge on which team possesses the stronger collective mindset.
Toronto enters as the top seed in the Atlantic Division, but they carry a history of playoff struggles, having needed six games to close out their first-round series after a mild scare. Their ability to start strong, as shown by jumping out in Game 1, is evident, but Florida’s third-period comeback in that same game highlights the work still required.
The Florida Panthers, the reigning champions who won the Stanley Cup last season and made the Final the year prior, seem to have found their stride in the playoffs.
They dispatched their rivals in five games in the first round. However, sustained deep playoff runs demand immense mental and physical resilience, and eventually (as one pundit says), “the tank runs out and the mind gets tired”. Both teams will need psychological fortitude to advance.
Goaltending Takes Center Stage in Winnipeg vs. Dallas
The series between the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars is poised to feature goaltending as the dominant narrative, potentially overshadowing other factors like injuries. Both teams survived grueling Game 7s to reach this point. Dallas advanced despite injuries to key forwards and defensemen, a testament to their overall team strength. Winnipeg also sustained injuries to significant forwards and defensemen during their first-round series. While the status of these injured players remains uncertain in the secretive playoff environment, the spotlight remains firmly on the netminders.
Winnipeg’s goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, a finalist for major NHL awards this season, faced significant adversity in the first round of the playoffs. Despite his strong regular-season form, he struggled against the St. Louis Blues, getting pulled in three road games due to subpar performances.
On the other side, Jake Oettinger, goaltender for the Dallas Stars, also faced challenges early in his first-round matchup against the high-powered Colorado Avalanche offense. However, unlike Hellebuyck, Oettinger rebounded as the series progressed, delivering a solid overall performance that helped propel Dallas into the second round.
Power Play Poised to Decide Oilers vs. Golden Knights
The series between the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights is largely expected to be decided by special teams, specifically the power play. Edmonton is particularly lethal with the man advantage – and putting the Oilers on the power play is described as “the easiest way to lose” to their star-studded unit. It’s worth noting that Vegas finished the regular season with the second-best power play at 28.3 percent.
Vegas relied heavily on their power play to advance through the first round, capitalizing on opponents who took numerous penalties. While relying solely on special teams in the playoffs is generally discouraged, both the Oilers and Golden Knights have excelled in making opponents pay for infractions – and have been strong on the penalty kill.
The prediction holds that any team careless enough to incur excessive penalties will likely lose the series, given both teams’ ability to score easily with an extra skater. Early Second-Round Impressions
The second round has begun with notable outcomes. The Hurricanes and Oilers both secured Game 1 victories in their respective series. The Maple Leafs also managed to beat the Panthers in Game 1, though Florida mounted a significant comeback effort that made the game tighter than anticipated.
This early action underscores the competitive balance and the high stakes of these matchups.
NHL Playoffs at Full Throttle
As Round 2 unfolds, it’s clear that each series carries its own defining storyline—be it goaltending duels, psychological resilience, physical intensity, or special teams dominance. The parity among the remaining teams speaks to the razor-thin margins that separate contenders from champions in the NHL playoffs. With every shift and every save taking on heightened significance, the road to the Stanley Cup promises more drama, momentum swings, and unforgettable moments still to come.