With the first round officially concluded after two exciting Game 7s, the matchups for the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are now set. Eight teams remain in contention, battling for the sport`s ultimate trophy. Over the next two weeks, these intense head-to-head series will determine the participants in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals.
Eastern Conference Overview
In the Eastern Conference, the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have demonstrated they are still the team to beat, but they face a formidable opponent in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals, who finished the regular season with the best record in the East, will take on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division clash.
Western Conference Overview
Out West, the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets narrowly avoided an early exit in the opening round but now face an even tougher challenge against the Dallas Stars. The Stars, who overcame a 2-0 deficit in Game 7 to defeat the Colorado Avalanche in their previous series, are now favored to advance past the Presidents` Trophy-winning Jets. Finally, a potentially classic series looms between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers. Vegas reached the second round by eliminating the Minnesota Wild in six games, while Edmonton advanced by winning four consecutive games against the Los Angeles Kings.
Before the second round commences, here are our expert predictions for the winner of each series.
Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Bengel: I made the mistake of picking against the Panthers in Round 1, and I won`t do it again. Florida looked like a well-oiled machine in their five-game dispatching of the Lightning. Star forward Matthew Tkachuk`s return was significant, and their offense showcased balanced production from players like Sam Reinhart, Tkachuk, and Aleksander Barkov. It certainly helps that they have a proven playoff goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky, who posted a 2.21 goals-against average in the first round.
Meanwhile, for the Maple Leafs to overcome the Panthers, their talented core of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares will need spectacular performances. They must find ways to score heavily against Florida`s defense. While I expect an entertaining series, the Panthers possess too much offensive firepower and are the defending champions for a reason. Pick — Panthers def. Maple Leafs 4-2
Nivison: The Maple Leafs survived a minor scare from the Senators and are back in the second round. Their last appearance here, two years ago, ended in a five-game defeat to the Panthers. If this result is to change, the Core Four plus Matthew Knies must maintain their strong play (combining for 12 goals and 20 assists against the Sens). Of course, the opponent is significantly more challenging now. What the Panthers did to the Lightning last round was frankly intimidating. Gustav Forsling and Aleksander Barkov effectively neutralized Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel throughout the series. Florida has repeatedly proven its ability to shut down elite offensive players, and their forwards can match anyone`s scoring punch. Toronto will put up a strong fight, but Barkov`s two-way impact is the key difference again. Pick — Panthers def. Maple Leafs 4-2
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals
Bengel: It`s worth noting that the Capitals faced a strong challenge from the Canadiens despite winning in five games. This is a team that thrived offensively in the regular season, finishing second in goals per game (3.49). However, while their offense can be sensational, they might rely a bit too much on Alex Ovechkin, whereas the Hurricanes boast more scoring depth with Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, and others.
Although I favor the Hurricanes, I anticipate a lengthy series as these teams are quite evenly matched. Both teams were among the top two in the first round regarding the lowest goals-against average. Carolina is expected to get starting netminder Frederik Andersen back from injury for the start of the series, which will be a major boost. This series could well be decided by which team`s defense and goaltending rise to the occasion, and ultimately, I`m backing the Hurricanes in a tight contest. Pick — Hurricanes def. Capitals 4-3
Nivison: Both teams were clear favorites in their first-round series and played accordingly. Beyond the offense, the goaltenders have been the most impressive performers. Logan Thompson (WSH) and Frederik Andersen (CAR) ranked as the top two goalies in goals saved above average during the postseason according to Natural Stat Trick. So, which goalie will blink first and most often? If Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov continue their Round 1 form, it might be Thompson. Svechikov found his scoring touch, and Aho proved his status as one of the league`s premier two-way centers. For Washington, Alex Ovechkin scored four goals against the Canadiens, showing he can still produce in the playoffs. Unfortunately for Ovechkin and the rest of the Capitals, Carolina`s defensive structure is in a different league compared to Montreal`s. Goals will be significantly harder to come by for Washington, leading to a Hurricanes series win. Pick — Hurricanes def. Capitals 4-2
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets
Bengel: Both teams provided plenty of drama in the first round but ultimately survived tough tests. Mikko Rantanen delivered a pair of incredible performances in Games 6 and 7, accumulating four goals and four assists in the final two games to propel the Stars past the Avalanche. Perhaps even more impressively, Dallas won the series despite potential absences for key players like forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen. Given the Stars` depth, particularly down the middle, they are the team to beat in this series, and I believe they will emerge victorious.
Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the favorite for the Vezina Trophy, certainly didn`t perform like the league`s top netminder in the opening round. Hellebuyck posted a concerning 3.85 goals-against average and an .830 save percentage across seven games against the Blues. He allowed at least three goals in six games and five or more in three contests. Hellebuyck absolutely needs to be significantly better if the Jets hope to compete with the Stars` formidable offense, but I don`t see that happening. Pick — Stars def. Jets 4-2
Nivison: These teams were both in dire situations in the third period of their respective Game 7s and dramatically stormed back to advance. The Jets` comeback occurred despite another difficult performance from star goalie Connor Hellebuyck earlier in the series (ranking last in playoffs in GSAA before Game 7 OT). The big question for me is whether Hellebuyck can gain confidence from his strong effort in Game 7 overtime. If he can, Winnipeg absolutely has a shot. If he continues to struggle, the series will be very brief. The Stars simply have too much offensive power, especially with Jason Robertson nearing a return, for Hellebuyck to be allowing soft goals. Furthermore, Winnipeg has injury concerns with Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey banged up after their first-round series. Dallas is deeper, healthier, and currently receiving better goaltending. Pick — Stars def. Jets 4-1
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Bengel: The Golden Knights certainly had a rough start against the Wild but ultimately relied on their talent to push through. However, their 3.17 goals-against average is concerning, especially with a proven playoff goalie like Adin Hill in net and the high-powered Oilers up next. Hill will need to perform more like he did in the final three games against Minnesota. Despite a slow offensive start, Jack Eichel finished the first round strongly with five points in the last three games.
Meanwhile, the Oilers boasted the NHL`s best offense in the first round against the Kings, averaging 4.5 goals per game and scoring at least five goals in three contests. With superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, scoring opportunities are always abundant. However, Edmonton`s consistent weakness has often been goaltending. They switched to Calvin Pickard as the starter for the final four games against Los Angeles, all of which were victories. If Pickard can provide serviceable goaltending, the Oilers have a chance, but I believe the Golden Knights will do enough to advance. Pick — Golden Knights def. Oilers 4-3
Nivison: Last round, the Oilers proved once again that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can mask significant deficiencies. The duo combined for 21 points as Edmonton ripped off four straight wins after falling behind in the series. Even the Kings, who are arguably built to handle star forwards, couldn`t contain them long-term. On paper, the Golden Knights defense should be up to the challenge, but Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin had very inconsistent performances against the Wild. If that continues, McDavid and Draisaitl will feast. On the other side, the Oilers are still without Mattias Ekholm on the blue line, making them vulnerable to attacks from players like Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl. Add in the fact that neither team received stellar goaltending in Round 1, and this series could become surprisingly high-scoring. In a high-scoring affair, it`s difficult to bet against McDavid and the Oilers. Pick — Oilers def. Golden Knights 4-3
