NHL Playoffs 2025: Stanley Cup Schedule, Bracket & Scores

The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers began their second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on the road with a 5-4 defeat on Monday night. Despite a slow start, they nearly mounted a dramatic late comeback, a pattern seen frequently in these NHL playoffs.

Toronto built what appeared to be a comfortable 4-1 lead in the second period, thanks to two first-period goals from William Nylander and additional markers from Matthew Knies and Chris Tanev. A controversial moment occurred when Toronto`s goaltender, Anthony Stolars, exited the game after being hit in the head by an elbow from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. No penalty was assessed on the play, much to the frustration of Leafs coach Craig Berube.

“Elbow to the head,” stated Berube. “Clear as day… I understand officials miss calls, but that was undeniably a penalty.” Toronto announced Stolars was under evaluation, but no further information was provided.

Starting the third period down 4-1, the Panthers outscored the Maple Leafs 3-1 with goals from Eetu Luostarinen, Uvis Balinskis, and Bennett, but Florida could not find the tying goal.

Joseph Woll stopped 17 of 20 shots, which was just enough to secure a 1-0 series advantage for the Maple Leafs.

“We didn`t look like ourselves initially,” commented Paul Maurice, Florida`s coach, regarding his team`s start. “Then we corrected things in the second and put on a strong push in the third.” Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, also in Toronto.

In the other Eastern Conference matchup, the Washington Capitals will face the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals advanced after a challenging series against the Montreal Canadiens. Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson had an impressive first round, posting a 2.23 goals-against-average. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games and are aiming to reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in four seasons.

In the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets are matched up against the Dallas Stars. Both teams are battle-tested after their respective first-round series went the full seven games. The Jets will look for a stronger performance from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who had a 3.85 goals-against-average in Round 1. The Stars could potentially see forwards Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen return from injury in the second round, which would be a significant boost after they missed the first round.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights overcame a 2-1 series deficit against the Minnesota Wild, winning three consecutive games to close out the series in six. Vegas displayed balanced offensive production throughout the series, with Jack Eichel registering five points in the final three games. The Edmonton Oilers also rallied, coming back from a 2-0 hole to defeat the Los Angeles Kings in six games in the first round. The dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have collectively accumulated 21 points for Edmonton so far.

Round 2 Schedule & Results

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

• Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
• Game 2: Wednesday, May 7 | 7 p.m. | at TOR | ESPN
• Game 3: Friday, May 9 | 7 p.m. | at FLA | TNT/truTV/Max
• Game 4: Sunday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m. | at FLA | TBS/truTV/Max
• *Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | TBD | at TOR | ESPN
• *Game 6: Friday, May 16 | TBD | at FLA | TNT/truTV/Max
• *Game 7: Sunday, May 18 | TBD | at TOR | TNT/Max

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

• Game 1: Tuesday, May 6 | 7 p.m. | at WSH | ESPN
• Game 2: Thursday, May 8 | 7 p.m. | at WSH | ESPN
• Game 3: Saturday, May 10 | 6 p.m. | at CAR | TNT/truTV/Max
• Game 4: Monday, May 12 | 7 p.m. | at CAR | TNT/truTV/Max
• *Game 5: Thursday, May 15 | TBD | at WSH | TNT/truTV/Max
• *Game 6: Saturday, May 17 | TBD | at CAR | TBD
• *Game 7: Monday, May 19 | TBD | at WSH | ESPN

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

• Game 1: Wednesday, May 7 | 9:30 p.m. | at WPG | ESPN
• Game 2: Friday, May 9 | 9:30 p.m. | at WPG | TNT/truTV/Max
• Game 3: Saturday, May 11 | 4:30 p.m. | at DAL | TBS/truTV/Max
• Game 4: Tuesday, May 13 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN
• *Game 5: Thursday, May 15 | TBD | at Jets | TNT/truTV/Max
• *Game 6: Saturday, May 17 | TBD | at DAL | TBD
• *Game 7: Monday, May 19 | TBD | at WPG | ESPN

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

• Game 1: Tuesday, May 6 | 9:30 p.m. | at VGK | ESPN
• Game 2: Thursday, May 8 | 9:30 p.m. | at VGK | ESPN
• Game 3: Saturday, May 10 | 9 p.m. | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
• Game 4: Monday, May 12 | 9:30 | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
• *Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | TBD | at VGK | ESPN
• *Game 6: Friday, May 16 | TBD | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
• *Game 7: Sunday, May 18 | TBD | at VGK | TNT/Max

Round 1 Results

(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: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2

(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: Panthers 6, Lightning 3

(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: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1

(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: Jets 5, Blues 3
• Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
• Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)

(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: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
• Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2

(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: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2

(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: Oilers 6, Kings 4