The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is in the books, and for fans needing to scratch the hockey itch, the postseason has delivered. There were thrilling matchups and shocking exits. Both the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning failed to advance. Fans were treated to two Game 7s, including a thriller in which the Winnipeg Jets tied the game with just 1.6 seconds remaining, then completed the comeback in double-overtime.

With the second round now underway, let’s take a look at each series. No wild card teams made it through, and every team remaining has a legitimate shot to hoist the Stanley Cup. Buckle up—these are going to be fierce battles.

Let’s start in the East!

Washington Capitals vs Carolina Hurricanes

Blaiz’s prediction: Washington in seven

The Capitals have been surprising teams all year and finished as the best team in the East. The first round of the playoffs did not change that perception, and Washington will move on to the conference finals.

Washington Capitals

Washington survived a physical series with Montreal. The Canadiens out-hit the Capitals in four of five games, and though the series ended in five, it was tighter than the final line suggests. Montreal’s young core showed promise for the future.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Jack Hughes-less Devils were expected to struggle without their star forward. Still, they made Carolina work for every inch. The Hurricanes showed resiliency in the clincher, erasing a 3-0 deficit and winning in double overtime to close out the series in five games.

Regular season matchups

The teams split the season series 2-2. Carolina won both its games in regulation, while Washington needed a shootout in one of its wins.

How Carolina advances

The Hurricanes play a disciplined dump-and-chase system, excelling in puck possession and shot suppression. They allowed the fewest shots in the NHL this season (24.9 per game) and led the league in unblocked shot attempts (50.3) per moneypuck.com. That kind of volume imbalance wins games.

Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov shared duties in the crease. Andersen was knocked out in Game 4 after a collision with Timo Meier. Kochetkov, who played 57 games during the season, closed out the first-round series, but Andersen is practicing and expected to start Game 1 against Washington.

One concern: Carolina struggled on the road, going 16-21-4 this season. Without home-ice advantage, they’ll need to steal one in Washington to stay in control.

How Washington advances

The Capitals thrive in physical games, and Carolina won’t bring that same intensity. Washington must stay aggressive but disciplined.

The Caps averaged the second-most goals in the NHL (286) but were held to just 23 shots per game by Carolina in the regular season. Still, Logan Thompson posted a .923 save percentage and 2.23 GAA in Round 1, providing a strong backstop.

A notable moment: On April 2, Washington lost 5-1 to Carolina in a game that saw 142 combined penalty minutes. Most of the chaos came after the game was already out of reach, but that kind of game could still disrupt the Hurricanes’ structure—expect Tom Wilson to test that theory.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers

Blaiz’s prediction: Toronto in seven

The Maple Leafs play just as well on the road as they do at home. They just need to stick to their game and not overreact when they lose a game or three. They nearly coughed up a 4-1 lead in Game 1 on Monday but held on for a 5-4 win to take an early series lead.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs are in their best position to win a Cup in decades. They won their division for the first time in 25 years and dispatched Ottawa in six games, three of which went to overtime. It was only their second series win in their last 10 playoff appearances.

Florida Panthers

The reigning champs made quick work of the Tampa Bay Lightning, eliminating them in five games. Florida stumbled into the playoffs with a 3-6-1 finish, but it got a boost when Matthew Tkachuk returned from a lower-body injury that cost him the final 25 regular-season games.

Regular season matchups

Florida won the season series 3-1. Toronto scored just four goals in its three losses, though two of those games were decided by one goal—not counting empty-netters.

How Toronto advances

Auston Matthews needs to show up. He had only two goals in the first round, including a minus-four performance in a Game 5 shutout loss. He bounced back in Game 6, scoring the opening goal. Toronto will need full buy-in from its stars to advance.

Anthony Stolarz, who backed up Florida during their 2024 Cup run, has been excellent for Toronto this season and has led the NHL in save percentage two seasons in a row. He left Game 1 midway through the second period after taking a couple of shots to the head. If he’s unavailable, Joseph Woll—who started 41 games this season—will step in. Woll looked shaky in Game 1 but gave Toronto just enough saves to preserve the win.

Home ice could matter. Florida had a winning road record, but only just barely (20-19-2). Toronto was 27-13-1 at home and nearly identical on the road. Sound Of Hockey looked at this earlier in the year and found home teams are called for 3.2 percent fewer penalties on average. Staying disciplined will be key.

How Florida advances

Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand are elite agitators who can draw penalties. Per moneypuck.com the Panthers ranked fourth in the NHL in penalties drawn, and they scored five power-play goals against Toronto in the regular season.

But Florida also brings skill. Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart lead the offense. Florida averaged 3.00 goals per game (15th in NHL), compared to Toronto’s 3.26 (seventh). Sergei Bobrovsky doesn’t post gaudy numbers but is a proven playoff performer, despite his uninspiring performance in Game 1. He just needs to keep the Leafs’ stars quiet.

Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars

Blaiz’s prediction: Winnipeg in five

The Presidents’ Trophy winners have been solid all season, starting 15-1 to become the fastest team in NHL history to reach 15 wins. The first round pushed the Jets to the limit, but they faced the hottest team in hockey—the St. Louis Blues—who had won 12 straight late in the regular season and rode that confidence into the playoffs. The Jets will get back to their game and take care of Dallas. Expect to see more of the Winnipeg white-out in these playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg needed seven games and double OT to escape the St Louis Blues. Cole Perfetti’s goal with 1.6 seconds left forced OT—the latest game-tying goal in a Game 7 in NHL history.

Dallas Stars

Dallas limped into the playoffs after losing seven straight but was able to hold onto home ice advantage in its matchup with the Colorado Avalanche. After trading wins through six games, Colorado held a 2-0 lead entering the third period of Game 7. Then Mikko Rantanen erupted for a hat trick and four points, lifting Dallas to a comeback series win and a storybook moment against the Finn’s former team.

Regular season matchup

Winnipeg dominated the series 3-1, allowing just five goals in four games (one of which was an empty-netter). Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger started all four games against each other. Hellebuyck posted a .965 save percentage, while Oettinger struggled and was pulled once.

How Winnipeg advances

Hellebuyck is the likely 2024-25 Vezina winner, with a 2.00 GAA and .925 save percentage. He struggled in Round 1 (.830 save percentage) and will need to bounce back. Winnipeg’s power play led the NHL at 28.9 percent, so special teams will be critical.

Injuries to Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey loom large, though both are day-to-day. If one or both return for Game 1, that’s a huge boost.

How Dallas advances

Dallas was solid all year, but the Stars have looked shaky for a month. They need to re-establish their game and get healthier. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen are both on their way back from injuries, which would be a huge boost. After eliminating the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7, head coach Pete DeBoer said, “I believe you’re going to see them both play in the second round, but I don’t know if it’s going to be Game 1 or Game 3 or Game 5.”

Oettinger has to be better. He struggled in all four games against Winnipeg during the regular season, including one appearance where he was pulled. Rantanen needs to be consistent—he had just one point in the first four games, then exploded for 11 in the final three. That version of Rantanen gives Dallas a real shot.

Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers

Blaiz’s prediction: Vegas in six

I don’t like this pick; I don’t like it at all. If I’ve learned anything from Vegas Golden Knights’ eight seasons in the NHL, it’s to never count them out. I keep thinking they’re going to collapse, but they just keep winning. After taking the Pacific Division, I feel obligated to pick them here as well. Maybe it’s reverse psychology—hopefully this jinx works and Edmonton advances.

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas beat Minnesota in six, but the series was close. Game 5 swung the series when an apparent game-winning goal for Minnesota was overturned after dual reviews for a kicking motion and then offside. Gustav Nyquist was confirmed to be offside before the goal, and Vegas went on to win in OT, then closed it out in Game 6.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers fell behind in every game against the Los Angeles Kings, but rallied four times to win the series in six. Calvin Pickard replaced Stuart Skinner after Game 2 and won four straight.

Regular season matchup

The season series was split 2-2. The first three games were played earlier in the season, which can sometimes make the outcome less indicative of current playoff form. Edmonton won the final meeting 3-2 on April 1.

How Vegas advances

The Golden Knights finished third in the NHL during the regular season and had the third-best goal differential (+60). Their power play was second-best (28.3 percent), and their defense limited shots to just 26.1 per game (fourth fewest). They’ll need to contain McDavid’s speed and play their structured game.

Adin Hill posted a respectable .906 save percentage, but his 2.47 GAA ranks sixth in the NHL. The team protects him well, and he’s been dependable.

How Edmonton advances

The Oilers’ resiliency was impressive, but constantly chasing games is not sustainable. They need better starts.

It’s unclear if Skinner or Pickard will start Game 1. Pickard was solid in his appearances but played a “bend-don’t-break” type of game. Goaltending has always been a question mark for this club, and it remains so now. Edmonton may simply ride the hot hand for the rest of the playoffs. While stealing a game would be a bonus, the goalie’s job in Edmonton (more so than for other playoff teams) is to keep the Oilers in it and give their stars a chance to win.

Edmonton leads the NHL in shots per game (32.0). Vegas limits those chances well, so the Oilers will need to get the puck to the net and capitalize.

Sound Of Hockey picks

Every team left has a path to the Final. There is no runaway favorite and no true Cinderella story. Here’s how the Sound Of Hockey crew sees the Cup Final shaping up. I’m sensing a trend here…

Wrapping up

The only bummer about the second round is that we go from four games per night to two. Still, the matchups are strong and should not disappoint.

Leave your picks for the second round and Cup winner in the comments!