Round 1 heats up as NHL playoff chaos unfolds: Rivalries ignite and underdogs refuse to fall

With parity as high as it has been and no team knocked out after 10 days of games, the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have provided chaos, comebacks, and a little controversy. All Western Conference series are going to at least Game 6, and the East still has dramatic storylines of its own. As squads fight for their playoff lives, here's how each series looks like.
Montreal Canadiens' playoff push has been powered by brash youth and underdog spirit, but injuries might have caught up with them at last. With starting goalie Sam Montembeault out and top blueliner Alexandre Carrier likely out, the Habs are thin. Young netminder Jakub Dobeš has filled in admirably, but upsetting a veteran Washington team three consecutive times is perhaps too tall an order. Yet this season might be the start of something magical in Montreal.
The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the series 3-1, but doubt remains. Historical collapses haunt the imaginations of fans and reporters alike. The Ottawa Senators have taken three of four games into overtime and demonstrated great structure. Toronto's revamped lineup—with seasoned grit and Craig Berube's defense-first system—has altered the atmosphere, though. Taking Game 5 on home ice would help to change the dynamic and alleviate anxiety.
The league's top-scoring team has inexplicably gone cold. The Lightning power play is sputtering, their stars are silenced, and they've been pulled into a war of attrition with Florida. Brandon Hagel's injury just makes things worse. The Florida Panthers, meanwhile, are flourishing in the mess on the strength of a suffocating defense and reliable Sergei Bobrovsky. If Tampa can't find its offense again, this series could be over in a hurry.
With the New Jersey Devils devoid of some of their biggest contributors—Jack Hughes and a few of their core defensemen—the series has swung in Carolina Hurricanes' direction. But an accidental Game 4 collision that eliminated Freddie Andersen has brought on a huge worry. Pyotr Kochetkov impressed in relief, but can he do it if Andersen is sidelined for an extended period? Carolina's deep, speedy roster appears constructed for a push—if the crease is stable.
Winnipeg's Vezina-quality goalie has been invisible in the playoffs, with an eye-popping sub-..820 save percentage. After back-to-back blowouts, Presidents' Trophy winners are in genuine danger. The hot Blues since the 4 Nations break are taking advantage of every mistake. Winnipeg could be due for a first-round collapse if Hellebuyck doesn't get back to regular-season form in a hurry.
At full health, Minnesota Wild doesn't resemble a No. 7 seed. Kirill Kaprizov has been dynamite, the blue line is stabilized, and Filip Gustavsson is winning the goalie duel. Vegas is deep and experienced, but they've not been able to gain separation. If the Wild were being underrated because of midseason injury, we might be seeing the resurgence of a legit threat out West.
This series has been the epitome of a heavyweight slugfest, with each club trading strong efforts. With the potential return of star D-man Miro Heiskanen from injury, the Dallas Stars could find that edge it seeks. Thomas Harley has shouldered the load amazingly well, but a healthy Heiskanen might flip the puck possession switch back in favor of the Stars and offer that little bit more to close out the Colorado Avalanche.
When McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard are on the ice, Ed virtually unstoppable. But the rest of the group have been much more vulnerable. Los Angeles Kings have possessed portions of play, particularly when the Edmonton Oilers' big three are off the ice, and their goaltending has stood up. The challenge will be getting through those grueling minutes when Edmonton's superstar trio takes over—and praying for breakdowns somewhere else.
Also read: NHL playoff controversy: Brandon Hagel injury raises questions about league's double standards
With several series going at least six games and a complete schedule of potential Game 7s this weekend, NHL fans are in store for a rollercoaster ride. Some favorites appear tenuous, underdogs are riding high, and injury worries are growing. Whatever the outcome, the first round of the 2025 playoffs has already provided one of the most intriguing opening acts in years.