The Columbus Blue Jackets were eliminated from playoff contention despite a strong late-season push.
The team faced significant emotional challenges following the death of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother.
The Montreal Canadiens clinched the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot, their first playoff appearance since 2021.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 19, with St. Louis at Winnipeg and Colorado at Dallas.
The playoff field is set, with teams now vying for positioning for draft lottery odds.
Why this matters: The Blue Jackets' season demonstrates the resilience of athletes in the face of adversity. The playoff schedule provides fans with key dates and matchups to follow throughout the postseason.
The Columbus Blue Jackets (39-33-9) showed remarkable resilience throughout the season, overcoming the tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother to remain competitive. Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the team finished strong with a five-game winning streak. Coach Dean Evason praised the team's close-knit mentality and commitment to playing hard regardless of the circumstances.
The Montreal Canadiens secured the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, setting up a first-round matchup against the Washington Capitals. The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs will commence on Saturday, April 19, featuring:
St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars
The Eastern Conference bracket includes:
Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
The Western Conference bracket includes:
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
The playoff field is set, with teams now focused on draft lottery positioning. Games on Thursday, April 17, concluded the regular season. Noteworthy games included Philadelphia at Buffalo, Detroit at Toronto, and Calgary at Los Angeles.
Q: When do the NHL playoffs start?
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 19.
Q: Which teams are in the Eastern Conference playoffs?
Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens.
Q: Which teams are in the Western Conference playoffs?
Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues.
The Blue Jackets' season was a testament to their resilience and determination.
The NHL playoff schedule is now set, offering fans exciting matchups to look forward to.
Key dates to remember: Playoffs start April 19.
The Montreal Canadiens are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
What are your predictions for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
Edmonton, Alberta – After years of dedication to the Edmonton Oilers, defenseman Darnell Nurse has reportedly requested a trade, signaling a...
Peter Laviolette, a highly respected and experienced coach with a Stanley Cup championship to his name, has officially been named the new he...
John Tortorella's arrival in late March sparked a significant turnaround for the Vegas Golden Knights, propelling them to the Stanley Cup Fi...
The Montreal Canadiens are facing the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. While Frederik Andersen played a key role in the ...
⚠ Disclaimer: Yanuki provides article summaries and links for reference only. Yanuki does not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources. Please review original sources and verify information independently. Managed by the Yanuki Data Engine. Full Disclaimer