The quest for the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs has begun. Sixteen teams across the league have qualified for the postseason bracket. Following an 82-game regular season, the teams now compete in best-of-seven series. Play started Saturday, April 19, with the first-round matchups underway.
The playoff format begins with divisional play for two rounds. The top three teams in each of the four divisions make the field. Two wild-card teams from each conference join the group. The conference championships follow the divisional rounds. The Stanley Cup Finals conclude the season in late May or early June.
In the Eastern Conference, divisional pairings include the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators in the Atlantic. Also in the Atlantic, the Tampa Bay Lightning face the Florida Panthers. Metropolitan Division play features the Washington Capitals against the Montreal Canadiens. The Carolina Hurricanes meet the New Jersey Devils.
Western Conference matchups see the Winnipeg Jets battle the St. Louis Blues in the Central Division. The Dallas Stars play the Colorado Avalanche. The Pacific Division features the Las Vegas Golden Knights taking on the Minnesota Wild. The Los Angeles Kings compete against the Edmonton Oilers.
Hockey fans looking to follow the action can watch games across multiple television networks. The NHL playoffs air on channels including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, truTV, and TBS. These networks carry games throughout the early rounds. Viewers can access these channels through cable providers or live TV streaming services.
The full schedule for the first round shows games running through late April and potentially into May if series require all seven games. For example, the St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets series full schedule lists Game 1 on April 19 and a potential Game 7 on May 4. Other series follow a similar pattern with games spaced every few days.
Many observers offered predictions before the playoffs began. The Athletic NHL Staff, for instance, shared their picks for series winners and Stanley Cup champions. Their analysis covers every first-round pairing and forecasts potential outcomes through the final round. Fans can see the NHL playoff predictions 2025 to compare with their own thoughts on which teams might advance.
Watching these channels through a service like Sling TV allows subscribers to follow the playoff journey. Access depends on the specific package a viewer chooses. Coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 typically falls under one package, while TNT, truTV, and TBS may be in another. Fans should check provider lineups to ensure they have the necessary channels for specific games they want to watch.
As the playoffs unfold, teams will battle intensely on the ice. Every game brings new drama and excitement. Following favorite teams or watching key matchups is easy with access to the broadcast channels. The path to the Stanley Cup is long, promising many memorable moments for hockey fans watching at home.
