The ice is set, the stakes are sky-high, and the chase for hockey’s ultimate glory is about to begin. The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and it’s time to gear up for a wild ride! Starting April 19, 16 teams will battle through grueling best-of-seven series, all chasing the ultimate prize: the Stanley Cup. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just jumping on the hockey bandwagon, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the schedule, first-round match-ups, and where to catch every heart-pounding moment. Let’s dive in!

NHL Playoffs schedule: When does the action start?

The puck will drop on the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs this Saturday, April 19, with first-round games paving the way for weeks of hard-hitting hockey. The regular season concludes on April 17, and the NHL doesn’t waste any time, kicking off the postseason two days later. The first round will continue until early May, and the later rounds (Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and the Stanley Cup Final) will follow in a compressed schedule. The Stanley Cup Final is expected to begin around June 7 and could last until June 23 in case it reaches the full seven games.

Although official game times and dates for each first-round series remain to be finalized, the NHL has officially announced Saturday’s early slate to feature the Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues at 6 p.m. ET and the Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche at 8:30 p.m. ET. The entire first-round schedule will be made available by Thursday, April 17, so stay tuned to NHL.com for the latest. Every series is played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, which means the better seed plays Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 at home and the worse seed receives Games 3, 4, and 6. Buckle up—this is going to be a marathon!

First round match-ups: Who’s facing off?

The playoff bracket is set and loaded, with 16 teams—eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference—set to battle. Here are the locked-in first-round match-ups, according to the latest standings and seeding:

Eastern Conference

Toronto Maple Leafs (A1) vs. Ottawa Senators (WC1): The Battle of Ontario is back! This is Ottawa’s first playoff trip since 2017, and they face a Toronto team eager for a deep playoff run.

Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs. Florida Panthers (A3): It’s a Sunshine State showdown! The defending champ Panthers play their arch-nemesis, the team they ousted last season in five games.

Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (WC2): The Caps, led by Alexander Ovechkin, face a gritty Montreal squad on its first playoff journey since 2021. Note: Columbus Blue Jackets may still steal this spot if they win their last game and receive assistance.

Carolina Hurricanes (M2) vs. New Jersey Devils (M3): A 2023 rematch, as Carolina knocked New Jersey out in the second round. Fast-speed, high-intensity hockey is to be expected.

Western Conference

Winnipeg Jets (C1) vs. St. Louis Blues (WC2): The Jets, after winning their inaugural Presidents’ Trophy, play a Blues team battling to maintain Canada’s Stanley Cup dry spell.

Dallas Stars (C2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (C3): A Central Division battle of two titans with marquee rosters.

Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Minnesota Wild (WC1): The Golden Knights, Pacific Division champions, face a Wild team seeking their first series victory since 2015.

Los Angeles Kings (P2) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P3): A fourth consecutive playoff matchup between these two, with the Oilers having taken the last three. The Kings have home ice this time—can they turn the tables?

These set-ups are destined to provide drama, rivalries, and perhaps a few upsets. The top seed in each conference (Winnipeg and Washington) will try to capitalize on their regular-season superiority, but the postseason is a different story.

Where to watch: Don’t miss a single Game

Ready to catch every slapshot and overtime thriller? The 2025 NHL Playoffs will be broadcast across multiple channels and streaming platforms, ensuring you’ve got plenty of options. Here’s the breakdown:

• TV Channels: Games will air on ABC, ESPN, TNT, TBS, and truTV in the U.S. In Canada, tune into CBC, Sportsnet, or TVA Sports for French-language coverage. Select games on ABC and ESPN will also be available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.

• Streaming Services: ESPN+ will stream all ABC and ESPN games, including Conference Finals match-ups, plus full-match replays of every playoff game. Max (with a Standard or Premium plan) will carry all TNT Sports games. Hulu + Live TV is a great option for complete coverage, bundling ESPN+ and all national playoff channels. Sling TV (Orange + Blue) and YouTube TV also offer robust channel lineups, though Sling users can access ABC games via ESPN3. Fubo covers ABC and ESPN but lacks TNT and TBS.

• Free Viewing Option: Select games on ABC can be watched for free with a digital antenna, like the Mohu Leaf 50, which supports 4K and has a 60-mile range. Check the FCC’s Reception Map Tool to confirm ABC availability in your area.

• International Viewing: In Canada, Sportsnet’s coverage kicks off Saturday with Hockey Central at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by Jets vs. Blues and Stars vs. Avalanche. Check local listings for CBC and TVA Sports.

Broadcasting details: Who’s calling the games?

The NHL’s media rights package divides playoff coverage between ESPN/ABC and TNT Sports, with TNT getting the Stanley Cup Final this year. Look for A-list commentary teams, with ESPN’s group probably including Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro, and Emily Kaplan, and TNT’s team featuring Kenny Albert, Eddie Olczyk, and Brian Boucher. In Canada, Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean and the Hockey Central team will host pregame coverage, with Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson handling important games.

Games on ESPN and ABC will include advanced stats and player tracking, thanks to the NHL’s partnership with AWS, while TNT’s broadcasts often lean into storytelling and behind-the-scenes access. For fans wanting a deeper dive, ESPN+ offers alternate streams with unique camera angles and real-time analytics. Check your provider’s app (ESPN or Watchtnt) for mobile viewing, but you’ll need to authenticate with your cable or streaming subscription.

The 2025 NHL Playoffs are shaping up to be a blockbuster, with rivalries like Toronto vs. Ottawa and Tampa Bay vs. Florida setting the tone early. From the opening puck drop on April 19 to the final horn in June, every game is a chance for history to be made. Whether you’re watching on ESPN, streaming on Max, or catching a free ABC broadcast with an antenna, you’ve got no excuse to miss the action.

So grab your jersey, stock the fridge, and let’s see who hoists the Stanley Cup! Who’s your pick to go all the way?