2025 Stanley Cup playoffs: The
conference finals matchups, the favorites and what to watch for
[May 20, 2025]
The NHL playoffs have reached the conference finals, with four teams
ready to battle for the Stanley Cup.
The defending champion Florida Panthers face the Carolina Hurricanes
in the Eastern Conference Final, while the Edmonton Oilers and
Dallas Stars meet up for a rematch of the 2024 West final.
Canada’s hopes of ending the nation’s Cup drought — dating to
Montreal’s win in 1993 — rests with the Oilers.
All four rounds of the playoffs are best-of-seven, and the first
team to 16 victories wins the Stanley Cup. It’s a grind that won’t
end until June.
Final four matchups
Florida vs. Carolina. These teams played this round two years ago,
and the Panthers swept the series, winning all four games by a goal.
They are much different now, with Florida having won the first title
in franchise history and the Hurricanes changing their roster with a
series of trades over the past several months. The big question is
whether Carolina can get that one big goal they've been missing in
six consecutive playoff appearances under Rod Brind'Amour that ended
with disappointing exits.
Dallas vs. Edmonton. Play starts in Texas, with the Stars owning
home-ice advantage. They should have the edge in goal with Jake
Oettinger, and coach Peter DeBoer has a team in the West final for
the sixth time in seven seasons. The Oilers have the edge of
experiencing from their long playoff run last year, plus two of the
best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
How to watch
Every game of the Stanley Cup playoffs is nationally televised in
the U.S on an ABC/ESPN or Turner network. The NHL schedule is here
and a streaming guide is here. Much of TNT’s coverage, which
includes the Stanley Cup Final, will be simulcast on truTV and
available on Max’s B/R Sports Add-On. In Canada, games will be
showcased on Sportsnet and CBC.
Who to watch
Florida: Brad Marchand is more than a decade removed from hoisting
the Cup with Boston, and he was the Bruins' captain until getting
traded to the Panthers at this year's deadline. He was arguably
their best player in Game 7 of the second round against the Maple
Leafs and even at age 37 remains a difference-maker.
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Dallas Stars' Thomas Harley celebrates after scoring in overtime in
Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the
Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth
Patterson)
Carolina: Jaccob Slavin may be one of the best
defensive defenseman in the history of the sport. Capitals coach
Spencer Carbery lavished praise on Slavin at the end of their
series, and the 31-year-old American is an expert at blocking shots,
clearing pucks and doing all the little things that lead to wins at
this time of year.
Dallas: Mikko Rantanen — traded from Colorado to Carolina and then
Carolina to Dallas this season — leads all playoff scorers with 19
points. He has driven the bus for the Stars and is must-see
entertainment every game given how dominant he has been.
Edmonton: Connor McDavid. The best hockey player in the world had a
down season by his standards and dealt with injury, yet McDavid
still finished with 100 points. Maybe he was on cruise control
waiting for this moment, and the Stanley Cup is close enough to feel
again for the three-time league MVP.
Who are the Stanley Cup favorites?
Before the playoffs: Dallas and Florida were listed as co-favorites
by BetMGM Sportsbook, followed by Colorado, Carolina, Edmonton and
Vegas (tied) and Washington.
After the first round (in order): Florida, Carolina, Dallas,
Edmonton, Vegas, Toronto, Winnipeg and Washington.
After the second round (in order): Edmonton, Florida, Dallas,
Carolina.
When is the Stanley Cup Final?
The playoffs began April 19 to open three rounds of seven-game
series in the East and West before the final starts in early June.
If the final goes the distance, Game 7 could be as late as June 23.
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