It’s that time of the year, the biggest tournament in the NHL: the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 2025 Stanley Cup began on April 19, out of 16 teams, the four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the NHL’s regular season. The tournament is currently still in round one, but there is plenty of time for twists and turns. Some teams are handling their business while others are facing hard odds. 

So, what is the projection like this year? The NHL’s top overall seed has finished the regular season with the most points is the Winnipeg Jets. The main favorites are the Carolina Hurricanes, Winnipeg Jets,  Florida Panthers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. On the other hand, teams like the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, and Montreal Canadiens are struggling and would most likely need a miracle to break through. 

Some key players to look out for are Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), and Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche). I asked the people of Point Pleasant Boro who they thought was going to win it all. A few said they thought the Carolina Hurricanes would win, but others have high hopes for the Florida Panthers. As well as some picks for the Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This is always a fun tournament to watch; the crowds and fans truly make the experience. So, who will win? It’s all up in the air, it truly is anyone’s game.