The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday, April 19, featuring 16 teams competing for hockey's ultimate prize. The Winnipeg Jets, this year's Presidents' Trophy winners with 116 points, lead the Western Conference, while the Washington Capitals top the Eastern Conference with 111 points.

Major Storylines:

• Winnipeg Jets aim to break the Presidents' Trophy curse
• Washington Capitals seek redemption after last year's early exit
• Florida Panthers defend their Stanley Cup championship
• Strong Western Conference featuring Vegas, Dallas, and Edmonton

Eastern Conference First Round:

• Toronto Maple Leafs (A1) vs Ottawa Senators (WC2)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs Florida Panthers (A3)
• Washington Capitals (M1) vs Montreal Canadiens (WC1)
• Carolina Hurricanes (M2) vs New Jersey Devils (M3)

Western Conference First Round:

• Winnipeg Jets (C1) vs St. Louis Blues (WC2)
• Dallas Stars (C2) vs Colorado Avalanche (C3)
• Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs Minnesota Wild (WC1)
• Los Angeles Kings (P2) vs Edmonton Oilers (P3)

Complete series schedules with dates, times (EDT), and broadcast information for all first-round matchups are available. All Game 5, 6, and 7 times are to be determined. Games marked with an asterisk (*) will be played if necessary.

The playoffs promise intense matchups as teams battle for the Stanley Cup, with Canadian teams looking to end their 32-year championship drought and the Presidents' Trophy winners hoping to overcome historical playoff struggles.

[Detailed game schedules for each series remain exactly as in the original article, formatted with correct spacing and markdown]

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