NHL Playoffs 2025: First Round Recap and Schedule

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round is well underway, bringing intense action across the league. The Carolina Hurricanes have become the first team to secure their spot in the next round, eliminating the New Jersey Devils in a hard-fought double-overtime Game 5 victory.

Game 5 of the Hurricanes-Devils series was a dramatic affair. New Jersey initially took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period, but Carolina mounted a strong comeback, scoring three goals early in the second period to tie the game. Despite stellar goaltending from the Devils` Jacob Markström, a late penalty in double overtime proved costly, allowing Sebastian Aho to score the series-clinching power-play goal for the Hurricanes. Carolina now awaits the winner of the series between the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs missed an opportunity to close out their series against the Ottawa Senators. The Senators secured a crucial 4-0 shutout victory in Game 5, thanks to a 29-save performance from Linus Ullmark, forcing the series back to Ottawa for Game 6. The Senators are attempting to join a very exclusive club in NHL history, as only four teams have ever won a series after falling behind 0-3.

In another comeback story, the Edmonton Oilers have completely turned their series around against the Los Angeles Kings. After losing the first two games at home, the Oilers have won three straight, taking a 3-2 series lead and earning a chance to eliminate the Kings back on home ice. Edmonton has shown significant dominance in possession and shots since the middle of Game 4, finding their rhythm and putting Los Angeles on the brink of a fourth consecutive first-round exit against the Oilers.

The Vegas Golden Knights also reached a notable milestone during their Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild – their 100th playoff game in franchise history, an impressive feat for a relatively young team. They celebrated the occasion with a 3-2 overtime win, taking a 3-2 series lead. The Golden Knights boast a remarkable record when scoring at least three goals in the playoffs, having won 41 straight games under those circumstances.

Looking ahead to Wednesday night, three key Game 5s are scheduled. The Florida Panthers will look to eliminate the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Washington Capitals aim to advance against the Montreal Canadiens, and the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues will face off in a pivotal contest with the series tied, each team vying to take a crucial 3-2 lead.

Below are the complete results for completed games and the schedule for upcoming games in the first round: