Apr 22, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates after he scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
After Thursday night’s action in the NHL playoffs, this is how each team ranks in their chances to win the Stanley Cup.
1. Washington Capitals
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 23: A general view of the Washington Capitals jersey logo during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena on October 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Washington conceded a game to Montreal but finished them off in game 5. They will now host the Hurricanes, who dismantled the Devils in 5 games.
2. Winnipeg Jets
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 04: A close-up detail of the Winnipeg Jets logo seen during the second period at the Bell Centre on March 4, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The Jets remain at the top of these rankings because they are one of the best teams in the league. Still, the Blues have become sneaky good this season and could conceivably pull it off, but it would still be a huge upset if they end up winning the series.
3. Florida Panthers
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 30: A detail of the Florida Panthers logo during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on October 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Panthers hit the ground running in their series against the Lightning. Having all their players back on the ice made all the difference in the world, and they now look like true defending champions. They will face the Leafs in round 2.
4. Edmonton Oilers
MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 12: A detailed view of the Edmonton Oilers’ logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Edmonton was down 2-0 against Los Angeles, but impressively, they came back and won the next four games to win the series. They went to game 7 of the Cup Finals last year and are poised to make another deep run.
5. Vegas Golden Knights
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 15: A general view of the Vegas Golden Knights jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on October 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Knights had a harder time with the Wild than anticipated. They won game 5 in OT and won game 6 to finish the series off. Now they face the Oilers, which will be no easy task.
6. Dallas Stars
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 15: A general view of the Dallas Stars jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on December 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Stars won game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead, but lost game 6 to the Avs in Colorado. There will be a game 7 in their series. They have overcome quite a few challenges this year, and they had a better offense and defense all season than the Avs.
7. Carolina Hurricanes
MONTREAL, CANADA – APRIL 01: A closeup view of the Carolina Hurricanes’ logo during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on April 1, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Carolina won their series over the Devils pretty handily. It will now be Hurricanes vs. Capitals in round 2. Carolina has been great all season, but they will have a difficult time taking on Washington.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 19: The Toronto Maple Leafs logo is seen on a jersey during the third period of a game against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on October 19, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Although they lost games 4 and 5, the Leafs were able to win game six on the road, and they will now advance to the second round. They will have home ice advantage, but they are going to face the defending Stanley Cup Champion Panthers.
9. Colorado Avalanche
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 23: Samuel Girard #49 of the Colorado Avalanche skates on the ice during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Having Landeskog back was a huge boost to the team’s morale to start off the playoffs. They have played a back-and-forth series with the Stars, winning game 6 to force a 7th game in the series.
10. St. Louis Blues
The Blues managed to come back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the series against the Jets. But after losing game 5 in Winnipeg, they find themselves down in the series again and on the brink of elimination. St. Louis shouldn’t be underestimated, but the Jets were the best team in the West this season.
