Apr 19, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (7) high fives teammates following game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

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NHL Playoffs 2025: First-Round Schedule, Scores & Bracket Updates

Complete breakdown of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round—matchups, results, and live score updates

The chase for hockey’s most coveted prize is officially on as the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have dropped the puck. After a long and grueling regular season, the postseason opened with a powerful statement from two Western Conference heavyweights.

The Winnipeg Jets, fresh off clinching the Presidents’ Trophy, looked every bit like a top seed as they handled the St. Louis Blues in convincing fashion to take a 1-0 lead in their series. It was a confident start for a team with eyes on the Cup, showcasing the same depth and discipline that carried them through the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche didn’t just win, they sent a message. In a matchup loaded with tension and history, Colorado overwhelmed the Dallas Stars with a dominant 5-1 performance. With their top lines firing and their defense stepping up, the Avalanche reminded everyone why they remain one of the league’s most dangerous postseason teams.

The second day of the 2025 #StanleyCup Playoffs begins with familiar foes as Nico Hischier and the @NJDevils battle Sebastian Aho and the @Canes in Game 1 at Lenovo Center.

🕒: 3 p.m. ET
📺: @ESPN, @Sportsnet, SN360 and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/LfgzL3lSTt
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 20, 2025

But the action is only heating up. Sunday promises even more drama and intensity as three more series get underway. The New Jersey Devils hit the road to face the Carolina Hurricanes, hoping to set the tone early in what’s expected to be a fast-paced and physical series.

In Ontario, one of the NHL’s fiercest rivalries writes its next chapter as the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs collide. With passionate fan bases and high expectations, this series could easily become one of the first round’s most thrilling battles.

To wrap up Sunday’s slate, the Minnesota Wild square off against the Vegas Golden Knights in a matchup that pits grit against experience. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, but come playoff time, all bets are off.

The first round is just starting, and the storylines are already rich, from powerhouse statements to regional rivalries and redemption arcs. Buckle up, hockey fans. The road to the Stanley Cup has begun, and it will be one wild ride.

The complete 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Schedule, broken down by series, including dates, times, locations, and TV channels

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

Game	Date	Time	Location	TV Channels
1	Sunday, April 20	7 p.m.	at TOR	ESPN2
2	Tuesday, April 22	7:30 p.m.	at TOR	ESPN2
3	Thursday, April 24	7 p.m.	at OTT	ESPN2
4	Saturday, April 26	7 p.m.	at OTT	TBS, truTV
*5	Tuesday, April 29	TBD	at TOR	TBD
*6	Thursday, May 1	TBD	at OTT	TBD
*7	Saturday, May 3	TBD	at TOR	TBD

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

Game	Date	Time	Location	TV Channels
1	Tuesday, April 22	8:30 p.m.	at TB	ESPN
2	Thursday, April 24	6:30 p.m.	at TB	TBS, truTV
3	Saturday, April 26	1 p.m.	at FLA	TBS, truTV
4	Monday, April 28	TBD	at FLA	TBD
*5	Wednesday, April 30	TBD	at TB	TBD
*6	Friday, May 2	TBD	at FLA	TBD
*7	Sunday, May 4	TBD	at TB	TBD

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens

Game	Date	Time	Location	TV Channels
1	Monday, April 21	7 p.m.	at WSH	ESPN
2	Wednesday, April 23	7 p.m.	at WSH	ESPN
3	Friday, April 25	7 p.m.	at MTL	TNT, truTV
4	Sunday, April 27	6:30 p.m.	at MTL	TBS, truTV
*5	Wednesday, April 30	TBD	at WSH	TBD
*6	Friday, May 2	TBD	at MTL	TBD
*7	Sunday, May 4	TBD	at WSH	TBD

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

Game	Date	Time	Location	TV Channels
1	Sunday, April 20	3 p.m.	at CAR	ESPN
2	Tuesday, April 22	6 p.m.	at CAR	ESPN
3	Friday, April 25	8 p.m.	at NJ	TBS
4	Sunday, April 27	3:30 p.m.	at NJ	TBS, truTV
*5	Tuesday, April 29	TBD	at CAR	TBD
*6	Friday, May 2	TBD	at NJ	TBD
*7	Sunday, May 4	TBD	at CAR	TBD

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues

Game	Date	Time	Location	TV Channels
1	—	—	—	Jets 5, Blues 3
2	Monday, April 21	7:30 p.m.	at WPG	ESPN2
3	Thursday, April 24	9:30 p.m.	at STL	ESPN2
4	Sunday, April 27	1 p.m.	at STL	TBS, truTV
*5	Wednesday, April 30	TBD	at WPG	TBD
*6	Friday, May 2	TBD	at STL	TBD
*7	Sunday, May 4	TBD	at WPG	TBD

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

Game	Date	Time	Location	TV Channels
1	—	—	—	Avs 5, Stars 1
2	Monday, April 21	9:30 p.m.	at DAL	ESPN
3	Wednesday, April 23	9:30 p.m.	at COL	ESPN
4	Saturday, April 26	9:30 p.m.	at COL	TBS, truTV
*5	Monday, April 28	TBD	at DAL	TBD
*6	Thursday, May 1	TBD	at COL	TBD
*7	Saturday, May 3	TBD	at DAL	TBD

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild

Game	Date	Time	Location	TV Channels
1	Sunday, April 20	10 p.m.	at VGK	ESPN
2	Tuesday, April 22	11 p.m.	at VGK	ESPN
3	Thursday, April 24	9 p.m.	at MIN	TBS, truTV
4	Saturday, April 26	4 p.m.	at MIN	TBS, truTV
*5	Tuesday, April 29	TBD	at VGK	TBD
*6	Thursday, May 1	TBD	at MIN	TBD
*7	Saturday, May 3	TBD	at VGK	TBD

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

Game	Date	Time	Location	TV Channels
1	Monday, April 21	10 p.m.	at LA	ESPN2
2	Wednesday, April 23	10 p.m.	at LA	TBS
3	Friday, April 25	10 p.m.	at EDM	TNT, truTV
4	Sunday, April 27	9:30 p.m.	at EDM	TBS, truTV
*5	Tuesday, April 29	TBD	at LA	TBD
*6	Thursday, May 1	TBD	at EDM	TBD
*7	Saturday, May 3	TBD	at LA	TBD

Image Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!