2025 Stanley Cup Playoff First-Round Preview and Best Bets (April 19-20)

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived, and we’re breaking down every first-round matchup with series odds and sharp winner picks. Below are our Stanley Cup Playoff predictions for all eight series, followed by Game 1 best betsfor the weekend action. If you’re looking for NHL picks for April 19, we’ve got you covered with moneyline/total plays and NHL player props for Saturday and Sunday’s Game 1s.

First-Round Series Predictions

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues

• Series Odds: Jets -180 vs. Blues +150

• Series Pick: Jets in 6 games. Winnipeg’s depth and goaltending give them the edge. Connor Hellebuyck is a rock in net for the Jets, a clear advantage over the Blues’ volatile Jordan Binnington. Offensively, Kyle Connorand Mark Scheifele lead a potent Jets attack that should outpace St. Louis. The Blues have some championship experience left from 2019 (e.g. Brayden Schenn), but their younger core (Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas) may struggle against a more seasoned Jets squad. Winnipeg’s home-ice and Hellebuyck’s brilliance should carry them through this series.

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

• Series Odds: Avalanche -135 vs. Stars +115

• Series Pick: Stars in 7 games. In a mild upset, Dallas’s balance and goaltending can knock off Colorado. The Avalanche boast superstar power with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar (and they have the 2022 Cup pedigree), but the Stars match up well. Jake Oettinger gives Dallas a goaltending edge over Colorado’s Alexandar Georgiev, and the Stars’ forward depth — led by Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and veteran Joe Pavelski — can exploit the Avs’ defense beyond the top pair. Both teams have plenty of playoff experience, but Dallas’s more well-rounded lineup and Oettinger’s ability to steal games make the Stars our pick in a hard-fought series.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild

• Series Odds: Golden Knights -200 vs. Wild +170

• Series Pick: Golden Knights in 5 games. The defending champs should handle the Wild. Vegas is loaded with playoff-tested talent — Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Jonathan Marchessault — and they play a relentless two-way game. Minnesota’s hopes rest largely on Kirill Kaprizov, but Vegas can key in on the Wild’s one elite scorer with their deep defense (anchored by Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore). In net, the Golden Knightshave a strong tandem and the confidence of last year’s Cup run, while Minnesota’s young goalie (likely Filip Gustavsson) faces his biggest test. The Wild simply lack the scoring depth and postseason pedigree (they haven’t escaped Round 1 in years) to threaten the Golden Knights. Experience and roster depth give Vegas a clear upper hand.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

• Series Odds: Oilers -170 vs. Kings +150

• Series Pick: Oilers in 6 games. Edmonton’s firepower should overwhelm LA in the end. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are matchup nightmares – the two best players in the world can dominate a series, especially on the power play. The Kings will put up a fight with their structured team defense and playoff-hardened veterans like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty (both two-time Cup champions). However, LA’s goaltending is average at best, and they’ll have a hard time containing Edmonton’s top-ranked power play. Neither team is elite in net, but Edmonton’s offense can cover for it. The Oilers gained valuable playoff experience with deep runs recently, and that, combined with McDavid’s game-breaking talent, should push Edmonton through in a high-scoring series.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

• Series Odds: Maple Leafs -210 vs. Senators +175

• Series Pick: Maple Leafs in 5 games. Toronto’s star power and experience trump Ottawa’s youthful energy. The Leafs’ core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares is simply more explosive and battle-tested than the Senators’ lineup. Ottawa’s rising stars (Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle) will make their presence felt, but this is their first taste of playoff hockey – a tough draw against a loaded divisional rival. In goal, Toronto’s Ilya Samsonov (or whoever gets the nod) is steady enough behind a better team, while Ottawa’s goalie Joonas Korpisalo will be under siege. The Sens are an exciting up-and-coming team, but the Maple Leafs have been through the playoff gauntlet in recent years and finally broke through a round – they won’t squander a favorable matchup. Toronto’s superior firepower should see them advance comfortably.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

• Series Odds: Lightning -140 vs. Panthers +120

• Series Pick: Panthers in 7 games. This Battle of Florida is razor-close, but we’ll call for the slight upset. The Lightning carry the weight of experience – Stamkos, Kucherov, Point and Hedman have two rings – and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy remains the ultimate playoff security blanket. However, Florida’s confidence is soaring after last year’s deep run, and they have plenty of elite talent themselves. Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkovcan go toe-to-toe with Tampa’s stars, and they’ll be hungry after falling short in the Final recently. Goaltending is the wildcard: Sergei Bobrovsky can be hot or cold, but if he plays like he did in the 2023 playoffs, Florida can absolutely win this. The Panthers proved they can slay giants (remember their Boston upset), and the Lightning showed some cracks last year. In a lengthy series that could go either way, Florida’s momentum and younger legs give them the nod in seven thrilling games.

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens

• Series Odds: Capitals -180 vs. Canadiens +150

• Series Pick: Capitals in 5 games. Washington’s veteran core should dispatch Montreal’s rebuild squad with relative ease. The Caps still boast Alex Ovechkin – chasing another Cup and still scoring at an elite rate – and capable support from the likes of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson and John Carlson. The Canadiens, by contrast, are relying on a very young group (led by Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield) that’s largely untested in postseason play. Montreal’s surprise 2021 Final run is a distant memory; this current Habs team doesn’t have the depth or goaltending to match Washington. Caps goalie Darcy Kuemper (a Cup winner in 2022) versus Montreal’s inexperienced netminders is a clear advantage for Washington. Barring a heroic effort from the Habs’ kids, the Capitals’ savvy and Ovechkin’s scoring will rule the day.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

• Series Odds: Hurricanes -170 vs. Devils +150

• Series Pick: Hurricanes in 7 games. This might be the marquee matchup of the first round, and it’s going the distance. Carolina’s smothering defense and structured system will be tested by New Jersey’s speed and skill. The Hurricanes have been knocking on the door for years – Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Teuvo Teravainen and a deep blue line led by Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns – and they know how to navigate a long series. The Devils are a rising power behind Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and a cadre of young stars, but they’re still a bit greener in big moments. Goaltending is relatively even (neither side has a proven superstar in net), so this comes down to execution and experience. Carolina’s players have been through several playoff wars (including a Conference Final), and that experience plus home-ice advantage should be the tiebreaker. It’ll be tight, but the Canes’ defense and forecheck will wear down New Jersey and eke out a Game 7 win.

Game 1 Best Bets (April 19-20, 2025)

For each of the matchups below, we highlight the Game 1 best bet (moneyline or total) and a player prop to target:

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues – Game 1

• Best Bet: Jets -185 (Moneyline). Winnipeg should defend home ice in the opener. The Jets have been strong at home all year and will ride Connor Hellebuyck’s goaltending to clamp down on the Blues. Laying -185, Winnipeg’s the chalk for a reason – expect a focused effort and a Game 1 win for the home side.

• Player Prop: Kyle Connor Over 3.5 Shots on Goal. Connor is the trigger man for the Jets’ offense, averaging over 3 shots per game in the regular season. In front of the loud Winnipeg crowd, he’ll be firing early and often (top-line minutes and top power-play unit). Look for Connor to eclipse 3.5 shots as he pushes the attack in Game 1.

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche – Game 1

• Best Bet: Over 5.5 Total Goals. Both these teams can light the lamp, and Game 1 should showcase their firepower. Colorado’s attack led by Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen is lethal, and Dallas can counter with scorers like Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. With so much offensive talent (and a somewhat average goaltending matchup), over 5.5 is a confident play. A 4-3 type of game feels very plausible as the tone-setter.

• Player Prop: Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 Shots on Goal. MacKinnon is a volume shooter and a playoff performer who tends to take charge. He averaged well over 4 shots a night and often ramps it up in big games. In Game 1 at home, expect MacKinnon to be flying – topping 5+ shots as he probes the Stars’ defense.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils – Game 1

• Best Bet: Under 5.5 Total Goals. This projects as a tight, defensive battle to start the series. Carolina’s style at home is to check relentlessly and get reliable goaltending, while New Jersey knows it can’t get into a shootout with the Canes’ structured defense. Both teams respect each other’s offensive weapons, so Game 1 could be more cautious and low-scoring. Take the under and expect a 3-2 type contest.

• Player Prop: Jack Hughes Over 3.5 Shots on Goal. Even in a defensive game, Hughes will get his looks. The Devils’ young star is not shy about shooting – he averaged around four shots per game this year. Facing Carolina’s tough D, Hughes will be trying to create chances whenever he can. Bank on him to register at least 4 shots as New Jersey leans on its superstar to crack the Carolina defense.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators – Game 1

• Best Bet: Maple Leafs -160 (Moneyline). Toronto is the superior team and will be keen to make a statement in Game 1 at home. The Senators will be amped up, but the Leafs’ talent advantage (especially up front) should prevail. At -160, Toronto’s moneyline offers solid value for a team with far more scoring depth and playoff experience. They know the importance of not letting an underdog gain early confidence.

• Player Prop: Auston Matthews to Score a Goal (+ odds).** Big players shine on big stages, and Matthews loves facing Ottawa. He’s one of the league’s elite goal scorers and is coming off a 40+ goal season. In front of the home crowd, look for Matthews to find the back of the net in Game 1 – whether it’s on a patented one-timer from the circle or a greasy rebound, he has a knack for delivering in rivalry games.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild – Game 1

• Best Bet: Golden Knights -190 (Moneyline). Vegas at home in Game 1 is a confident play despite the juice. The Golden Knights know how to set the tone in a series – expect a fast start with their deep lineup rolling four lines. Minnesota may need time to adjust to Vegas’s pressure. With the Fortress (T-Mobile Arena) rocking and Vegas’s balanced attack, the Knights should take Game 1 convincingly.

• Player Prop: Kirill Kaprizov to Score a Goal. Even if the Wild fall in Game 1, Kaprizov is the likeliest candidate to solve Vegas’s defense. He’s the focal point of Minnesota’s offense and a prolific finisher. Kaprizov led the Wild in goals again this season, and he’ll be firing every chance he gets. Take him to score an anytime goal – the Wild star could still sneak one past the Knights, even in a losing effort.

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Bottom Line: The 2025 first round is stacked with great matchups. We’ve identified our best series bets and Game 1 best bets for the weekend slate. Enjoy the games, and good luck with your Stanley Cup Playoff predictions and wagers! Let’s drop the puck and cash some tickets. Go hockey!