NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: A Comprehensive Guide to the 2025 First Round

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are upon us, and the excitement is palpable. The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature eight teams competing in four series, with the winners advancing to the next round and the losers heading home. The playoffs will be broadcast on ESPN, with games starting on April 19th and culminating in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference will feature the following series:
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Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals

+ Game 1: Canadiens at Capitals, Monday, April 21, 7 p.m. ET
+ Game 2: Canadiens at Capitals, Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET
+ Game 4: Capitals at Canadiens, Sunday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. ET
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New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes

+ Game 1: Devils at Hurricanes, Sunday, April 20, 3 p.m. ET
+ Game 2: Devils at Hurricanes, Tuesday, April 22, 6 p.m. ET
+ Game 3: Hurricanes at Devils, Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET
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Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

+ Game 1: Panthers at Lightning, Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 p.m. ET
+ Game 2: Panthers at Lightning, Thursday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. ET
+ Game 4: Lightning at Panthers, Monday, April 28, TBD

Western Conference

The Western Conference will feature the following series:
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Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars

+ Game 1: Avalanche at Stars, Saturday, April 19, 8:30 p.m. ET
+ Game 2: Avalanche at Stars, Monday, April 21, 9:30 p.m. ET
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St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets

+ Game 1: Blues at Jets, Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. ET
+ Game 2: Blues at Jets, Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. ET
+ Game 3: Jets at Blues, Thursday, April 24, 9:30 p.m. ET
+ Game 4: Jets at Blues, Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET
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Montreal Canadiens vs. ET

Streaming Options

If you don’t have cable, here are some options to watch the NHL playoffs:
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• Sling TV: Offers a variety of packages, including Sling Orange for $25/month and Sling Blue for $30/month
• DirecTV Stream: Offers plans starting at $79.99/month, with add-ons for sports channels
• ESPN+: Offers exclusive NHL playoff coverage, with a subscription starting at $6.99/month

Complete Series Coverage

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, scores, and analysis for each series with the following links:
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Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals

+ NHL.com/flash
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New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes

+ NHL.com/flash
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Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

+ NHL.com/flash
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Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars

+ NHL.com/flash
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St. Winnipeg Jets

+ NHL.com/flash
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Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes

+ NHL.com/flash

TV Broadcast Schedule

Here is the TV broadcast schedule for each game:

Game 1	Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals	Monday, April 21, 7 p.m. ET
Game 2	Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals	Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET
Game 1	New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes	Sunday, April 20, 3 p.m. ET
Game 1	Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning	Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 2	Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars	Monday, April 21, 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 1	St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets	Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. ET
Game 3	Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues	Thursday, April 24, 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 1	Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights	Sunday, April 20, 10 p.m. ET
Game 1	Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings	Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. ET

By providing a comprehensive guide to the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, fans can stay informed and enjoy the excitement of the postseason. The playoffs will feature eight teams competing in four series, with the winners advancing to the next round and the losers heading home. The TV broadcast schedule is available for all games, and streaming options are also available for fans without cable. By staying up-to-date with the latest news, scores, and analysis, fans can ensure they don’t miss a single moment of the action.