The Stanley Cup playoffs are just days away, with the 2024-25 NHL regular season's final games taking place Thursday night.

The Presidents' Trophy for best regular-season record has already been clinched by the Winnipeg Jets , who are hoping an excellent campaign carries on into the postseason. In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals — once Alex Ovechkin broke the all-time NHL goal-scoring record — have secured the No. 1 seed.

However, the NHL playoffs are notoriously unpredictable, and a higher seed promises only expectations. The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are looking to win the East for a third consecutive season, while the Toronto Maple Leafs , Carolina Hurricanes , and Tampa Bay Lightning could all make deep runs. Over in the West, the Colorado Avalanche loom as a serious threat, as do the Vegas Golden Knights among others.

NHL playoff standings

Eastern Conference final standings

Western Conference final standings

How does the NHL playoffs bracket work?

First round:

Second round:

Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final

NHL Eastern Conference bracket

NHL Western Conference bracket

When do the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs start?

The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs will start on Saturday, April 19 . The Stanley Cup Final does not have a set start date, given that multiple rounds of playoff hockey have to playout, but the championship series is scheduled to conclude no later than June 23.