NHL Playoffs 2025: Stanley Cup schedule, bracket, scores, as Jets shock Blues in double overtimeon May 5, 2025 at 1:59 pm

MAK Gojar

1 year ago

The first round is a wrap after two thrilling Game 7s

CBS Sports

The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially in the books following a pair of heart-pounding Game 7s over the weekend. The Winnipeg Jets outlasted the St. Louis Blues 4-3 in double overtime, while the Dallas Stars came from behind to take down the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in their opening-round series. Now there’s not rest for the weary as the second round of the postseason will begin on Monday.

The second round gets started with two teams that are very familiar with one another as the Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the Florida Panthers. The defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers handily disposed of the Tampa Bay Lightning in just five games to move on. Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk had been out of action since the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, but made his long-awaited return to the ice against the Lightning. Tkachuk tallied five points (three goals & two assists) in the series, including a two-goal performance in Game 1. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs topped the Ottawa Senators in six games after initially taking a 3-0 series lead. Now the Maple Leafs will face off against the Lightning for the third time in the last four years in the postseason.

In the other Eastern Conference tilt, the Washington Capitals will take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals received a tough test from the Montreal Canadiens, but emerged victorious. Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson started off the postseason in impressive fashion with a 2.23 goals-against-average in the opening round. On the other hand, the Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils in five games, and will be looking to reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in the past four seasons.

In the Western Conference, the Jets find themselves matched up against the Stars in the next round. Both teams are certainly battle-tested after seeing their respective first round series go seven games. The Jets will be looking for a stronger performance out of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who registered a 3.85 goals-against-average in Round 1. Meanwhile, the Stars could see forward Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen return from injury in the second round, which would be a welcome addition after playing the first round without them.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights fell behind 2-1 in their opening round series against the Minnesota Wild before winning three consecutive games to close out the series. It was a very balanced offensive performance throughout the series for the Golden Knights, who saw Jack Eichel tally five points over the final three games of the series. The Edmonton Oilers rallied from a 2-0 series deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Kings in six games in the first round. The dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have combined to register 21 points thus far for Edmonton.

For the complete schedule and results for every matchup, follow along right here at CBS Sports.

Round 2

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Round 1

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers