As the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs enter the second round, fans are witnessing a postseason filled with fierce rivalries, unexpected turns, and some of the most intense hockey seen in years. With eight teams still in contention, the push toward the Cup has brought out the best—and in some cases, the most vulnerable—sides of each squad. Between overtime thrillers, highlight-reel goals, and shifting momentum, the second round is shaping up to be one for the ages.
In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs have flipped the script after decades of playoff struggles. With back-to-back wins against the Florida Panthers, including a high-octane 5–4 shootout in Game 1 and a gritty 4–3 follow-up in Game 2, the Leafs are playing with purpose and poise. William Nylander has led the offensive charge with critical goals in both matchups, while Toronto’s top defensive pair has quietly shut down Florida’s second line. The series heads to South Florida next, where the Panthers hope to respond with their backs against the wall and home-ice energy behind them.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are reasserting themselves as a defensive juggernaut. Their opening win over the Washington Capitals—a tense 2–1 overtime battle—was a textbook display of patience and puck control. Sebastian Aho notched the game-winner, but it was goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov who stole the show, turning away 38 of 39 shots and frustrating Washington’s top scorers. The Capitals, still finding their rhythm this postseason, need to spark their power play if they want to even the series. Game 2 will be critical in determining whether this series becomes a grind or a runaway.
Out West, the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets are locked in a high-speed chess match. Dallas eked out a 3–2 win in Game 1 thanks to a masterclass from forward Mikko Rantanen, who netted all three goals in a stunning hat trick performance. Despite finishing the regular season atop the standings, Winnipeg has struggled to slow Dallas’s forecheck and contain their cycle game. With Game 2 looming, the pressure is now on the Jets to prove their President’s Trophy wasn’t just a regular-season accolade but a true sign of championship potential.
In the Pacific Division, the Edmonton Oilers are reminding everyone why they’re perennial playoff threats. Behind the elite duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton secured a 4–2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1. McDavid dazzled with a coast-to-coast goal midway through the second period, and Draisaitl added two assists in a performance that left Vegas chasing shadows. The defending champs, however, won’t go quietly. With a deep bench and strong postseason pedigree, Game 2 could see them respond with renewed physicality and tighter neutral-zone play.
As the second round unfolds, each team faces the same question: who can handle the weight of expectation and execute under pressure? The next week will separate contenders from pretenders, and with every shift, the stakes only grow. For hockey fans, it’s exactly what the Stanley Cup Playoffs should be—unpredictable, emotional, and utterly electric.
