Not all playoff series are created equal, and while one can’t always predict with assurance which ones will end up being the most compelling, we’ve got three that jump off the page to open the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Battle of Florida, between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Colorado Avalanche-Dallas Stars matchup feature four bona fide Stanley Cup contenders. Each series is conference-final level and will see a really, really good team go home early each way.
The Battle of Ontario, with the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs meeting for the first time in 21 years … well, enough said.
What to expect? For an insider view, I reached out to coaches and front-office executives across the NHL to ask their predictions.
Enjoy.
(Note: Not every responder addressed all three series. Some responses are edited lightly for clarity.)
Lightning vs. Panthers
Exec 1: Tampa in 6. I see some mileage accumulating on the champs, and I think that Tampa has had the more cohesive and mostly healthy group this last stretch. Tampa gets the edge in net. Their big boys just seem to have their mojo and hunger back.
Exec 2: Pick Florida. Tampa is still talented and capable, but Florida is built for this and more in their window than Tampa. Seth Jones is a great replacement for Aaron Ekblad, and up front, I give the playoff edge to the Florida group. Goaltending — as always — could swing it one way or the other and will be a great factor to watch in this series.
Exec 3: Florida has had two deep runs in the playoffs, culminating with a Cup last year, while Tampa has had a bit of a resurgence with their play this year. I think Tampa is playing better hockey going into the playoffs, and have a feeling they will win the Battle of Florida this year. Either one of these teams has a chance to win it all. It’s too bad they play each other in Round 1!
Exec 4: The Lightning appear to have their groove back after suffering a couple of years of mental and physical fatigue, following three consecutive trips to the Final (winning back-to-back Cups). Meanwhile, the Panthers have endured the typical malaise that Cup winners often experience while missing significant players down the stretch to injuries (Matthew Tkachuk) and suspension (Ekblad). They will have to jell quickly or this one could be over fast. In the end, Tampa will prevail. Lightning win 4-2.
Exec 5: Like the Dallas-Colorado series in the West, this is a conference finals caliber of series. It’s so tight when you get two teams this skilled, this experienced and this just all-around good. Florida has played a lot of hockey the past two seasons, Ekblad will miss the first two games in Tampa and Tampa has home ice with the best goalie in the East. I’ll say Tampa in seven.
Exec 6: Tampa Bay. Better health, better team speed and (Jake) Guentzel addition.
Exec 7: Florida if they are healthy.
Coach 1: I know there is a lot of noise to change the playoff format to a 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, etc. I never really liked that, but this is the first year I have some time for it. It’s a shame two of these teams will be out in the first round. I like Florida over Tampa even though Tampa is equipped for a long run. Florida is just too deep throughout their lineup. Now they know how to win also.
Coach 2: Two teams that know each other very well. Highly respected head coaches, championship pedigrees and a dislike for each other that runs deep. Tampa, as the fresher and healthier team, gets it done in 7.
Coach 3: Florida-Tampa will be a war as it has evolved into one of the best, if not the best, rivalry in hockey right now. If Florida gets a healthy Tkachuk back, they win the series. If not, it’s Tampa.
Coach 4: Great series with a great rivalry and two teams with Stanley Cup experience. I think Florida in 7. Will be a battle.
Coach 5: Throw out the stats. These are two teams with a ton of swagger and championship experience. As the Panthers get back to a healthier lineup, I believe they will get to their heavy, pressure game, and that will be the difference. Florida in 7.
Coach 6: Tampa beats Florida. … I like what (Lightning general manager) Julien Brisebois did with the team at the deadline, and Florida has to be tired.
Final tally: Lightning 7-5, with Coach 3’s response discounted as not definitive.
Avalanche vs. Stars
Exec 1: Dallas in 7. I worry about Dallas’ slow starts and overall play a bit heading into this series. But I just really like their team. Missing (Miro) Heiskanen for potentially this entire series is obviously a blow, but their depth and an edge in net should give them enough to get through, and when they get Heiskanen back, I think they have a team that can go the distance.
Exec 2: Pick Colorado. I have a lot of respect for the Dallas group and their consistent work in the playoffs over the years, but Colorado has the edge here with firepower up front, including great additions in Martin Necas, Brock Nelson and now Gabriel Landeskog. And it always helps to have the best defenseman in a series like this.
Exec 3: Colorado has done a tremendous job reshaping their roster from the goaltender out in the middle of the season, which is no easy task. Dallas is a terrific team, too, and it’s a shame one of these Cup contenders will be out in two weeks, but with the best forward and best defenseman on the ice both being in an Avs jersey, I’ll pick Colorado.
Exec 4: This shooting match between two Western Conference powerhouses might be the most entertaining series in the first round. While it could go either way, I believe that (Jake) Oettinger outduels (Mackenzie) Blackwood and propels Dallas to victory. Stars win 4-2.
Exec 6: Colorado. Makar, MacKinnon and added depth down the middle.
Exec 7: Colorado. Goalie needs to be solid, not great.
Coach 1: I like Colorado over Dallas. Not sold on Oettinger yet. He is going to be a star, but there is still some growth there. (Matt) Duchene as a second-line center just isn’t deep enough for a playoff run. If Heiskanen is out, then it really tilts. I feel pretty good about the Toronto pick. The other two are a flip of the coin.
Coach 2: Two well-organized teams that addressed needs and loaded up at the trade deadline. They both have a ton of reasons why they can win this series and why they can win the Stanley Cup. But only one team can emerge, and it will be played on the ice. Colorado in 6.
Coach 3: All eyes will be on the Colorado-Dallas series. That series will have everything: speed, skill, goaltending and toughness. As most playoff series do, this will come down to two guys: Oettinger and Blackwood. Injuries will be a factor as both teams have guys coming back from injuries, so that will be an interesting piece to this series. Whoever wins the goaltending battle will win this series. Colorado wins.
Coach 4: Two of my top three picks to win the Cup. Should be a great series. Not much between these two teams. Colorado in 7.
Coach 5: Statistically, this is a close series. Goals for and against, special teams and goaltending. Both teams have game breakers. The absence of Heiskanen, at least early in this series, is a lot to overcome. Colorado’s deadline deals to solidify themselves up the middle will pay off in a long series. Colorado in 6.
Coach 6: I think Colorado beats Dallas. I am not sure that Dallas can win the series without Heiskanen. I like what (Avs GM) Chris MacFarland did for his team.
Final tally: Avalanche 10-2.
Maple Leafs vs. Senators
Exec 1: Toronto in 6. The narratives are what they are, but this is a very good Leafs team with some dirt under its nails now. Ottawa is not going to be a pushover, but as a relatively young group making their first playoff appearance in a while, I think Toronto gets the job done.
Exec 2: Pick Toronto but should be a doozy. Ottawa will be ready to compete, and Brady (Tkachuk) will drag them into the fight. I might actually give the edge to Ottawa on D and possibly in goal as well, but Toronto is just too loaded up front and have a huge experience edge being in many of these tough first-round series.
Exec 3: This brings back some great memories from a couple of decades ago. I think this series is going to be one of the best to watch in the first round. Ottawa has had Toronto’s number this year and I believe they will give the Leafs issues in the first round. Brady Tkachuk is built for the playoffs, so I’m excited to see him engage in this series and give the Leafs players fits. While I love the youth and enthusiasm from Ottawa, I think that this is the best team Toronto has had since those previous battles between these teams many years ago. Toronto is deeper on D and better in goal than they have been, which should pay dividends in this series. Toronto advances in a spirited series.
Exec 4: The Battle of Ontario could just as easily be called “David versus Goliath.” The star-studded Leafs are an offensive juggernaut and have the best D corps they’ve had in years. However, they are contending with massive expectations and immense pressure … particularly “the Core Four.” After not making the playoffs for the previous seven seasons, the Sens, on the other hand, are playing with house money. They will give the Leafs a handful. After much nailbiting, the Leafs will prevail. Leafs win 4-3.
Exec 5: Although this is an exciting series for Canada, I think Toronto is the superior team in most aspects. Toronto is probably thrilled to play someone other than Boston, Florida or Tampa. I have Toronto in five because they are just better offensively due to their superstars up front and will outscore their issues in this series.
Exec 6: Toronto. Deeper offense and better D.
Exec 7: Could go 7. … Think the Leafs sneak it out.
Coach 1: I like Toronto over Ottawa. I like Ottawa and their chances, but it’s more about Toronto. I like the way they have played all year. Not giving up easy offense, and their team game. I also love the balance and depth of the forwards and defense, especially if they get everyone back. (Jake) McCabe, (Oliver Ekman-Larsson) and (David) Kämpf are important for that depth. (Linus) Ullmark, however, could steal that series.
Coach 2: Two teams at different life stages. Toronto’s core has been together for years and has had multiple kicks at the can. Ottawa (is) just entering their playoff window after years of missing the playoffs. Toronto in 6.
Coach 3: Excited to see Ottawa make their first playoff appearance with this team. We played them a few weeks ago and were very impressed with their D core. They all defend hard, and (Jake) Sanderson is turning into a Norris trophy-caliber defenseman. He can do it all. Toronto doesn’t get enough credit for how hard they defend, as most people focus on the skill of their top guys, which they should but they also play hard. That being said, I like Ottawa in this series. Tkachuk will drag them all to another level.
Coach 4: I think Toronto is ready to make a long run and will win in 6 games. Experience will pay off for them this year, playing solid hockey all year long, more competitive. Ottawa’s a very good young team. Toronto’s just too deep.
Coach 5: Both teams have been good at home. Toronto has been equally comfortable on the road. Their added depth and experience on the back end is a factor in handling matchups on the road. Toronto’s goaltending will remain solid, Ottawa’s will need to be the “difference” in the series. Toronto in 6.
Coach 6: Toronto beats Ottawa. Too much firepower in Toronto and (Leafs GM Brad Treliving) made the D better.
Final tally: Maple Leafs 12-1.
Takeaways
The Battle of Florida was a mixed response, as expected. The Panthers’ fatigue factor was cited a number of times. This smells like seven games and overtime to me. Matthew Tkachuk with the Game 7 OT winner! I think Florida finds a way by a sliver. Best rivalry in the NHL right now?
As for the Stars, whether it’s because of their late-season struggles or their injuries — especially the uncertainty around Heiskanen — it’s pretty wild that such an overwhelming majority of execs and coaches took Colorado to win what is deemed a 50-50 matchup between Cup contenders. I still see the rematch of last spring’s second-loss Dallas win as a coin toss, but the Heiskanen factor is huge either way. If he can appear in this series, that could swing things, and if he doesn’t … I like the Avs’ chances. The way Avs GM Chris MacFarland aggressively reshaped his roster all season was something to behold.
And the Battle of Ontario. While only one responder picked the upset, it’s noteworthy how many picking Toronto still felt the Leafs would get pushed hard by the underdog Senators. And I agree with that. I think the Leafs win a tough seven-game series, but ultimately this is the most playoff-ready Toronto team in the Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner era in my mind — both in roster construction and style of play. But if the Senators take Game 1 in Toronto, hold on to your hats. Then Toronto’s playoff scars perhaps come into play.
Sit back and enjoy, everyone. The Stanley Cup playoffs are here!
(Top photo of Brady Tkachuk and John Tavares: Michael Chisholm / Getty Images)
