With intriguing storylines, promising matchups, and playoff traditions, the NHL’s postseason promises to deliver drama, intensity, and perhaps a few surprises along the way. With the NHL Playoff bracket finalized, fans can start marking their matchups and making predictions, eagerly anticipating the puck drop on Saturday evening.
NHL Playoff Preview: Key Matchups
Winnipeg’s reward for winning the Presidents’ Trophy is a first-round date with the red-hot St. Louis Blues, who enter on a remarkable 12-game winning streak. Blues’ goalie Jordan Binnington has been exceptional lately, posting a 13-3-1 record down the stretch. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens, hockey’s youngest playoff team ever; the Habs have an average age of 25.95 years, take on the top-seeded Washington Capitals. In the West, Mikko Rantanen faces his former Avalanche teammates as his Dallas Stars battle Colorado, led by Nathan MacKinnon, second in the NHL scoring race with 116 points (32 goals, 84 assists). The Florida-Tampa Bay series promises fireworks too, featuring Lightning star Nikita Kucherov, who ranked third in league scoring with 121 points (37 goals, 84 assists). These storylines and more set the stage for memorable first-round battles.
Historical: Playoff Trends and Trivia
The NHL playoffs never fail to produce captivating storylines. The Presidents’ Trophy curse is particularly noteworthy—since its inception, Presidents’ Trophy winners have been surprisingly vulnerable, raising the Cup only 8 out of 39 times, roughly 20.5% success rate. Additionally, playoff experience often matters. Teams like Tampa Bay and Washington boast recent Cup success, which could give them a psychological edge over younger squads like Montreal. Since 2010, teams with playoff-seasoned goalies have accounted for nearly 75% of Stanley Cup championships (NHL.com). Meanwhile, the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon is a postseason powerhouse; since 2020, he’s averaged 1.35 points per playoff game, among the highest playoff points-per-game rates in NHL history (NHL.com). Such stats underline the value of postseason experience and clutch performances, offering insight into possible outcomes in this year’s playoff matchups.
Printable Stanley Cup Bracket for 2025
Hockey fans, it’s officially bracket time again at Printerfriend.ly. With all the matchups locked in and schedule locked down, now is the moment to print your Stanley Cup Playoff bracket and prepare for the rollercoaster ride of the 2025 NHL playoffs.
These PDF files provide a selection of styles for a printable NHL Stanley Cup playoff bracket for 2025. You can pick the one that best suits you, whether it’s a clean and simple design, a blue background, or a gradient effect, for keeping track of the tournament.
Whether you’re predicting an upset by the youthful Canadiens, betting on Winnipeg to buck the Presidents’ Trophy curse, or backing playoff veterans like Tampa Bay, having a bracket handy will keep you invested from puck drop to the Stanley Cup final. There’s nothing quite like the NHL playoffs, where underdogs regularly become heroes, and favorites often falter. So grab your bracket, pencil in your predictions, and settle in—because hockey’s postseason journey promises thrills, drama, and unforgettable moments. Let the games begin.
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