2025 NHL Playoffs: First-round results, scores, and full schedule as Stars, Oilers, and Panthers advance

2025 NHL Playoffs: First-Round Schedule, Bracket, Results & Highlights

The first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs has delivered edge-of-your-seat action, overtime thrillers, and a few stunning Game 7 performances. With seven of the eight first-round matchups now decided, only one series remains: a decisive Game 7 between the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues on Sunday night will finalize the second-round bracket.

Here’s a full breakdown of scores, results, and major storylines as the chase for the Stanley Cup ramps up.

✅ Western Conference First-Round Results

(2) Dallas Stars def. (3) Colorado Avalanche – 4-3 series win

Game 7 Result: Stars 4, Avalanche 2
Series Recap:

• Mikko Rantanen, traded last offseason from Colorado to Dallas, completed a third-period hat trick in Game 7.

• Dallas rallied from a 2-0 third-period deficit to complete the comeback.

• Head coach Peter DeBoer improves to 9–0 in Game 7s, while the Avalanche drop their seventh straight Game 7.

(1) Vegas Golden Knights def. (WC1) Minnesota Wild – 4-2 series win

Game 6 Result: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2
Series Recap:

Vegas overcame a 2-1 series deficit with three straight wins.

Two OT victories in Games 4 and 5 proved critical.

(2) Edmonton Oilers def. (3) Los Angeles Kings – 4-2 series win

Game 6 Result: Oilers 6, Kings 4
Series Recap:

• Edmonton stormed back from a 0-2 series deficit.

• Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl fueled the comeback with multi-point efforts throughout the final three games.

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues – Series tied 3-3

Next Game:

• Game 7: Sunday, May 4 | 7 p.m. ET | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg | TBS/Max
  Series Highlights:

• St. Louis forced Game 7 with a dominant 5-2 win in Game 6.

• Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been pulled in all three road losses.

✅ Eastern Conference First-Round Results

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs def. (WC1) Ottawa Senators – 4-2 series win

• Toronto edged Ottawa in back-to-back OT games to take early control.

• Senators forced a Game 6 but couldn’t extend the series.

(2) Florida Panthers def. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning – 4-1 series win

• Panthers won the Battle of Florida decisively.

• Tampa’s lone win came in Game 3, but Florida responded with 12 goals in Games 4 and 5 combined.

(1) Washington Capitals def. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens – 4-1 series win

• Capitals dominated after an OT scare in Game 1.

• Veteran core led by Ovechkin and Carlson dictated pace throughout the series.

(2) Carolina Hurricanes def. (3) New Jersey Devils – 4-1 series win

• Carolina’s defensive structure overwhelmed the Devils.

• Two double-overtime thrillers highlighted the series.

🔜 Second-Round Matchups (So Far)

🏆 Eastern Conference

• (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (2) Florida Panthers

• (1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

🏆 Western Conference

• (2) Dallas Stars vs. (1) Vegas Golden Knights

• TBD: Edmonton Oilers vs. Winnipeg/St. Louis winner

🧊 Notable First-Round Storylines

• Mikko Rantanen’s hat trick for Dallas against his former team will go down as one of the biggest redemption arcs of the postseason.

• The Panthers look as dominant as ever, aiming for a second straight Finals appearance.

• The Jets’ goaltending drama adds intrigue heading into their Game 7 decider with the Blues.

Stay locked in with The Horizons Times as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue. We’ll have full coverage of every Game 7, second-round preview breakdowns, and daily score updates throughout the postseason.