NHL Playoffs 2025: Schedule, Bracket, Scores, Results for all First-Round Series in Pursuit of the Stanley Cup

The first series winner of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs has been decided. The Carolina Hurricanes eliminated the New Jersey Devils in five games, clinching the series with a 5-4 double-overtime victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night, courtesy of a power-play goal from Sebastian Aho. New Jersey initially took a 3-0 lead in the opening period, but Carolina quickly responded with three goals in the second period to tie the game. Devils goaltender Jacob Markström made 32 consecutive saves to force overtime, but a high-sticking penalty in the second extra frame proved costly, leading to Aho`s winning goal. The Hurricanes will advance to face the winner of the series between the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens.

The Toronto Maple Leafs missed an opportunity to close out their series, as the Ottawa Senators secured a 4-0 victory to force a Game 6 back in Ottawa. Linus Ullmark earned his first career playoff shutout with 29 saves. Goals from Thomas Chabot and Dylan Cozens, plus two empty-netters, sealed the win for the Senators. Historically, only four NHL teams have overcome an 0-3 series deficit, a challenge Ottawa will look to continue tackling in Game 6 on Thursday.

In a significant turnaround, the Edmonton Oilers, after falling behind 0-2, have taken a 3-2 series lead and have a chance to eliminate the Los Angeles Kings at home on Thursday. This series has seen a clear shift since the middle of Game 4, with the Oilers dominating possession, shots, and scoring. Los Angeles faces the prospect of being eliminated by Edmonton in the first round for the fourth consecutive season.

The Vegas Golden Knights reached a franchise milestone with their 100th playoff game on Tuesday night. They celebrated the occasion with a 3-2 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild, taking a 3-2 series lead. Notably, Vegas boasts an impressive record of 41 consecutive playoff wins when scoring at least three goals.

Wednesday night features three pivotal Game 5s. Both the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals have opportunities to eliminate their opponents, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens, respectively. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues return to Winnipeg with the series tied, vying to take a crucial 3-2 lead.

Below are the complete results and schedule for every first-round matchup:

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

• Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
• Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
• Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
• Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
• Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
• Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | 7 p.m. | at OTT | TBS/Max
• *Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at TOR | TBD

(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers

• Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
• Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
• Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
• Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
• Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | 7:30 p.m. | at TB | ESPN2
• *Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at FLA | TBD
• *Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at TB | TBD

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

• Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
• Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
• Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
• Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
• Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | 7 p.m. | at WSH | ESPN
• *Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at MTL | TBD
• *Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at WSH | TBD

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

• Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
• Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
• Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
• Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
• Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

• Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
• Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
• Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
• Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
• Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 | 9:30 p.m. | at WPG | ESPN
• Game 6: Friday, May 2 | TBD | at STL | TBD
• *Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | TBD | at WPG | TBD

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

• Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
• Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
• Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
• Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
• Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
• Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | 9:30 p.m. | at COL | TBS/Max
• *Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at DAL | TBD

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

• Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
• Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
• Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
• Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
• Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
• Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | 7:30 p.m. | at MIN | ESPN
• *Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at VGK | TBD

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

• Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
• Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
• Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
• Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
• Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
• Game 6: Thursday, May 1 | 10 p.m. | at EDM | ESPN
• *Game 7: Saturday, May 3 | TBD | at LA | TBD