It’s time for hockey’s annual postseason spectacle—the Stanley Cup playoffs have arrived beginning April 19, 2025. Saturday’s puck-drop begins the chase for the coveted trophy, headlined by the Winnipeg Jets, the NHL’s top seed and Presidents’ Trophy winners with a franchise-record 116 points. However, hockey history reminds us this isn’t necessarily good news for Winnipeg. Only eight Presidents’ Trophy winners have captured the Cup since the award debuted in 1986, leaving Jets fans cautiously optimistic. Is it a blessing or a curse? Only time will tell.
NHL Playoff Preview: Stories and Stats
Meanwhile, excitement swirls in Montreal, where the Canadiens shocked many observers, clinching the final playoff spot with the youngest-ever playoff roster at an average age of 25.95 years. With memorable moments and upsets almost guaranteed, the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs promise excitement, heartache, and countless storylines to captivate fans throughout the postseason.
Winnipeg opens against the surging St. Louis Blues, who earned their spot thanks to a 12-game winning streak to end the season. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, boasting eight shutouts and a .925 save percentage, will be key to ending Winnipeg’s Presidents’ Trophy curse.
In Dallas, former Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen meets his old teammates, creating intriguing tension for their series. Colorado superstar Nathan MacKinnon enters with 116 points, second-best in the NHL. Out East, the youthful Montreal franchise faces powerhouse Washington, while Toronto’s Mitch Marner (100 points) hopes to overcome a feisty Ottawa team. In a battle of Florida hockey (huh?) the Florida Panthers face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round again, highlighting Nikita Kucherov’s incredible 121-point season, third overall in scoring. With fascinating matchups across both conferences, fans are poised for competitive battles that could defy regular-season trends.
Historical: Brackets, Upsets, and Curses
Playoff history suggests regular-season dominance doesn’t always translate to postseason success. In fact, the Presidents’ Trophy winner has won the Stanley Cup only 20.5% of the time since the trophy’s inception. Additionally, the playoffs often reward experience. For instance, Tampa Bay and Washington have both captured recent Stanley Cups, building a playoff-tested culture. Montreal’s youthful core, by contrast, might struggle with postseason pressures.
Historically, goalies play pivotal playoff roles—since 2010, 75% of Stanley Cup champions featured veteran netminders with significant playoff experience. Teams also rely heavily on elite forwards; Nathan MacKinnon’s playoff scoring average of 1.35 points-per-game since 2020 underscores the critical impact of star power. These historical trends could shape the 2025 playoffs, offering clues to which teams might survive the postseason gauntlet.
Free, Printable 2025 NHL Bracket
With all the NHL playoff matchups and schedule finalized, it’s the perfect time to download and print all of our versions of the NHL Stanley Cup playoff bracket. Tracking series wins, upsets, and breakthroughs is a playoff tradition beloved by professional hockey fans.
These PDF files provide a selection of formats for charting the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Offering variations in design, from a clean and simple version to more visually engaging gradient and double-color options, there’s a printable NHL Stanley Cup Playoff bracket for 2025 to suit different preferences.
Whether you’re boldly picking the Canadiens’ youthful Cinderella story, betting on Winnipeg to finally buck the Presidents’ Trophy curse, or favoring seasoned playoff veterans, filling out your bracket brings an extra layer of excitement. Prepare yourself for late-night thrillers, overtime heroics, and heart-stopping victories. Print your bracket, settle into your lucky arm chair, and get ready for another Stanley Cup playoffs.
