Stanley Cup Playoffs 2025: Picks, predictions for each Spherical 2 collection, together with Jets vs. Stars

With two Sport 7s formally determined to conclude Spherical 1, the second-round matchups are set for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and eight groups will proceed to battle for hockey’s final prize. Over the subsequent two weeks, the Jap and Western Convention Finals can be determined as these groups will go head-to-head.

Within the Jap Convention, the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have confirmed they might nonetheless be the workforce to beat, however will face a really robust take a look at towards the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the meantime, the Washington Capitals — who completed with the very best document within the East — will face off towards the Carolina Hurricanes within the Metropolitan Division matchup.

Relating to the Western Convention, the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets averted catastrophe within the opening spherical, however will face a good more durable workforce within the Dallas Stars. The Stars additionally needed to overcome a 2-0 deficit in Sport 7 to defeat the Colorado Avalanche, however now are favored to take down the Presidents’ Trophy winners.

Lastly, the Vegas Golden Knights will tackle the Edmonton Oilers in what may very well be a battle for the ages. Vegas beat the Minnesota Wild in six video games to achieve the second spherical, whereas Edmonton gained 4 consecutive video games towards the Los Angeles Kings to maneuver on.

Earlier than the second spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs start, listed here are our skilled picks for each collection winner.

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs

Sequence odds: Panthers -184, Maple Leafs +150 (through FanDuel)

Bengel: I made the error of selecting towards the Panthers within the opening spherical, however I will not be making the identical oversight this time round. The Panthers regarded like a well-oiled machine as they took down the Lightning in simply 5 video games. Star ahead Matthew Tkachuk made his long-awaited return to the lineup and proved to be the straw that stirs the drink for Florida. The Panthers showcased their balanced offensive assault with everybody from Sam Reinhart to Tkachuk to Aleksander Barkov producing. It additionally would not harm that the Panthers have a confirmed playoff goaltender within the type of Sergei Bobrovsky, who tallied a 2.21 goals-against-average within the first spherical.

In the meantime, the Maple Leafs are going to wish spectacular showings from their proficient group of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares in the event that they need to defeat the Panthers. They’ll need to discover a method to pile on the targets in the event that they need to have any likelihood of beating the Panthers. I feel this can be a really entertaining collection, however the Panthers have an excessive amount of firepower and are the reigning Stanley Cup champions for a purpose. Choose — Panthers def. Maple Leafs 4-2

Nivison: The Maple Leafs have been capable of survive a minor scare from the Senators, and so they’re again within the second spherical for the second time within the final three years. The final time they reached the second spherical, they have been ousted by the Panthers in 5 video games. If this result’s going to be any completely different, the Core 4 plus Matthew Knies must proceed its robust play. These 5 mixed for 12 targets and 20 assists towards the Sens.

In fact, the opponent is rather more formidable now. What the Panthers did to the Lightning final spherical was downright horrifying. Gustav Forsling and Aleksander Barkov held Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Level and Brandon Hagel in test for your entire collection. Florida has confirmed time and time once more it may possibly shut down elite offensive gamers, and its ahead group can rating with anybody. The Leafs put up a superb struggle, however Barkov is the distinction as soon as once more. Choose — Panthers def. Maple Leafs 4-2

Hurricanes vs. Capitals

Sequence odds: Hurricanes -160, Capitals +140 (through DraftKings)

Bengel: It is undoubtedly value noting that the Capitals received fairly a take a look at towards the Canadiens regardless of ending off the collection in 5 video games. Nonetheless, it is a workforce that thrived offensively to the tune of the second-most targets per contest (3.49) throughout the common season. Whereas they’ve been a sensational offensive workforce at occasions, I do suppose that they could rely slightly an excessive amount of on Alex Ovechkin, and the Hurricanes have extra scoring depth in Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and lots of others.

Whereas I do just like the Hurricanes on this matchup, I’m forecasting this to be an extended collection as these two groups are very evenly matched. By way of one spherical, these are the highest two groups relating to having the bottom goals-against-average. The Hurricanes are slated to get beginning netminder Frederik Anderson again from damage to start the collection, which can be an enormous enhance. This collection may very well be determined by which workforce’s again finish rising to the event all through the collection, and I am finally backing the Hurricanes in a good affair. Choose — Hurricanes def. Capitals 4-3

Nivision: Each of those groups have been clear favorites of their respective first-round collection, and so they performed prefer it. In addition to these squads performed offensively, the goalies have been essentially the most spectacular. Logan Thompson (4.11) and Frederik Andersen (3.93) are the highest two goalies in targets saved above common this postseason, based on Pure Stat Trick.

So, which goalie will blink first and most frequently on this collection? If Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov preserve enjoying the best way they did in Spherical 1, it is going to be Thompson. Svechikov discovered his scoring contact, and Aho confirmed that he is likely one of the finest two-way facilities within the league. For the Caps, Alex Ovechkin totaled 4 targets towards the Canadiens, displaying he can nonetheless fill the web within the playoffs too. Sadly for Ovechkin and everybody else on the Washington roster, Carolina and Montreal aren’t in the identical universe relating to enjoying protection. Objectives can be tougher to come back by for the Capitals, and the Canes win the collection. Choose — Hurricanes def. Capitals 4-2

Stars vs. Jets

Sequence odds: Stars -165, Jets +140 (through BetMGM)

Bengel: Each groups had a aptitude for the dramatic within the first spherical, however finally survived some very robust assessments. Ahead Mikko Rantanen put collectively a pair of performances for the ages in Video games 6 and seven to push the Stars previous the Avalanche. After a sluggish begin to the postseason, Rantanen racked up a mind-boggling 4 targets and 4 assists within the remaining two video games of that collection. What could have been even mores spectacular than Rantanen’s play was the truth that Dallas was capable of win the collection with out star ahead Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen. Contemplating how deep the Stars are up the center, they’re the workforce to beat on this collection, and I consider that they will come out on the profitable finish.

Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck — the favourite to win the Vezina Trophy — actually did not play just like the NHL’s high netminder within the opening spherical. Hellebuyck registered a stunning 3.85 goals-against-average and a .830 save proportion in seven video games towards the Blues. He surrendered not less than three targets in six of the seven video games, whereas permitting 5 or extra targets in three contests. Hellebuyck merely needs to be higher if the Jets need any likelihood of hanging with the Stars and their juggernaut offense, however I simply do not see that occuring. Choose — Stars def. Jets 4-2

Nivison: These groups have been lifeless within the water within the third interval of their respective Sport 7 matchups, and so they each stormed again in dramatic trend to advance. The Jets have been capable of do it regardless of one other troubling efficiency from star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, not less than in regulation. His 9.84 targets allowed above common ranks lifeless final within the playoffs, per Pure Stat Trick.

The massive query for me on this collection is whether or not Hellebuyck can acquire some confidence from a superb effort in time beyond regulation of Sport 7. If he can, the Jets completely have a shot on this collection. If he continues to battle, then the collection can be very temporary. The Stars merely have an excessive amount of firepower, particularly with Jason Robertson nearing a return, for Hellebuyck to be letting in comfortable targets. Moreover, Winnipeg has little room for error as a result of each Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrisey are banged up after that first-round brawl with St. Louis. Dallas is deeper, more healthy and is getting higher goaltending. Choose — Stars def. Jets 4-1

Oilers vs. Golden Knights

Sequence odds: Golden Knights -115, Oilers -105 (through Caesars)

Bengel: The Golden Knights actually had a forgettable begin towards the Wild, however finally noticed their expertise push them by means of to the subsequent spherical. Nonetheless, Vegas registered a 3.17 goals-against-average, which actually is not a really perfect efficiency with a confirmed playoff goaltender like Adin Hill in web and now the Oilers on deck. Hill must play extra like he did within the remaining three video games towards Minnesota. Regardless of getting off to a sluggish begin offensively, the Golden Knights noticed star ahead Jack Eichel shut out the collection robust with 5 factors over the ultimate three video games within the opening spherical. 

In the meantime, the Oilers averaged an NHL-best 4.5 targets per contest within the first spherical towards the Kings. In actual fact, they scored not less than 5 targets in three of these video games. At any time when a workforce has celebrity forwards like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, scoring alternatives are at all times going to be fairly plentiful. Nonetheless, the Oilers’ Achilles heel has at all times gave the impression to be the goaltending place. Edmonton ended up shifting to Calvin Pickard because the workforce’s beginning netminder for the ultimate 4 video games towards Los Angeles, which have been all victories. If Pickard can produce serviceable performances in web, the Oilers have an opportunity, however I feel the Golden Knights do sufficient to maneuver on. Choose — Golden Knights def. Oilers 4-3

Nivison: Final spherical, the Oilers proved as soon as once more that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can cowl up plenty of warts. That duo mixed for 21 factors as Edmonton ripped off 4 straight wins after falling behind 2-0 within the collection. The Kings have been as effectively geared up as anybody to cope with the Oilers’ star forwards, and so they could not comprise them for lengthy.

On paper, the Golden Knights ought to be as much as the problem, however Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin had some very uneven performances towards the Wild. If that pattern continues, McDavid and Draisaitl will feast once more. On the opposite facet, the Oilers are nonetheless with out Mattias Ekholm on the blue line, which makes them weak to barrages from the likes of Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl. Add in the truth that neither workforce received stellar goaltending within the first spherical, and this might flip right into a surprisingly high-scoring collection. If it does, it is robust to wager towards McDavid and the Oilers. Choose — Oilers def. Golden Knights 4-3