The exciting conclusion to the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs provides a strong indication that the second round is set to deliver intense and thrilling moments for hockey enthusiasts.
The opening round wrapped up this past weekend with two dramatic Game 7s, where the home teams pulled off impressive rallies from two-goal deficits in the third period to advance. On Saturday, the Dallas Stars scored four unanswered goals to overcome the Colorado Avalanche 4-2. The Presidents` Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets also mounted a late comeback, scoring twice in the final 1:56 of regulation against the St. Louis Blues to erase a 3-1 deficit before captain Adam Lowry netted the winner at 16:10 of the second overtime.
These outcomes set the stage for a second-round clash between the Stars and Jets, beginning Wednesday at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg. The Jets had the upper hand in the regular season series against their Central Division rivals, winning three out of four meetings and outscoring the Stars 13-5.
The other Western Conference series features the Pacific Division champion Vegas Golden Knights facing off against the defending conference champion Edmonton Oilers. Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Both the Golden Knights and Oilers advanced by eliminating the Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings, respectively, in six games in the first round. They split their four matchups during the 2024-25 regular season. Notably, Vegas eliminated Edmonton in the second round during their only prior playoff meeting in 2023.
In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are set to start their series Monday at Scotiabank Arena. Florida dominated the regular season encounters, winning three out of four and outscoring Toronto 13-7. The Panthers also eliminated the Maple Leafs in five games in the second round just two years ago, in their first ever postseason series.
The other Eastern Conference second-round series starts Tuesday as the Washington Capitals take on the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena. Home ice was a significant factor in the regular season, with the host team winning all four contests between these Metropolitan Division rivals. Carolina emerged victorious in their only previous playoff series against Washington, defeating them in seven games in the first round in 2019.
Despite finishing first in their respective conferences, Winnipeg and Washington are considered underdogs in their upcoming second-round matchups. Both the Jets and Capitals are listed with odds around +140 at most sportsbooks. Toronto, which finished 10 points ahead of Florida to win the Atlantic Division, is an even bigger underdog at approximately +150. Meanwhile, the series between Vegas and Edmonton is seen as nearly even, although the Golden Knights hold a slight favorite status at -115 at some sportsbooks.
Here are some teams offering potential value to consider when making prop bets on second-round series winners.
Best Bet
Vegas Golden Knights (-105)
The Golden Knights didn`t always display their best form in the opening round against the Wild. They fell behind 2-1 in the series, needed overtime wins in the next two games, and finally edged out Minnesota 3-2 in Game 6. Offensive production was somewhat limited, with no player tallying more than five points and only four players, including defenseman Shea Theodore, scoring multiple goals. Pavel Dorofeyev, who led Vegas in goals during the regular season with a career-high 35, managed only one goal in the first five games and missed Game 6 due to an injury, leaving his availability for the Edmonton opener uncertain. However, Brett Howden, following his best regular season (23 goals), provided a lift by scoring three goals against Minnesota, including two game-winners.
The Oilers were on the verge of a 0-3 deficit against the Kings but powered back with four goals in the third period of Game 3 to secure a win and ultimately take the next three contests. Calvin Pickard replaced Stuart Skinner late in Game 2 and has since been the primary goaltender, but his .893 save percentage in the series and twice allowing four goals raise some concerns. While their superstars Leon Draisaitl (three goals) and Connor McDavid (two goals) had moments against the Kings, neither found the back of the net in the final two games of the series. If Edmonton`s star players don`t significantly increase their output and Vegas`s forwards start finding more scoring consistency, it`s difficult to envision the Oilers reaching their second consecutive conference final.
Best Longshot
Toronto Maple Leafs (+152)
It`s certainly challenging to bet against the formidable defending champion Panthers, especially after their decisive first-round victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Conversely, the Maple Leafs had a less convincing path, storming to a 3-0 series lead against the Ottawa Senators before dropping the next two games and needing a late third-period heroic goal from Max Pacioretty in Game 6 to advance to the second round for only the second time since 2004. Florida clearly possesses the goaltending advantage with Sergei Bobrovsky, but Toronto`s Anthony Stolarz served as Bobrovsky`s backup last season and may have gleaned valuable insights into playoff success.
The Maple Leafs require a significant offensive boost from their star forward, three-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner Auston Matthews. He scored only twice in the opening round and has recorded a mere three goals over his last 16 playoff games across the past three series (including zero in five contests against Florida in 2023). Despite this, I feel optimistic about Toronto`s prospects under head coach Craig Berube. He previously worked wonders with the St. Louis Blues, guiding them to a Stanley Cup win in 2018-19 after taking over mid-season, and successfully led the Leafs to just their second division title since 1999-2000 in his first year behind their bench.
