The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs begin on April 19. The Winnipeg Jets are the NHL's top overall seed, having finished the regular season with the most points in the standings, and the Washington Capitals earned the No. 1 seed in the East.

Multiple seasons were on the line Wednesday in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Washington Capitals had an opportunity to close out their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 after winning three of the first four, while the Florida Panthers had the opportunity to do the same to the Tampa Bay Lightning in their own Game 5.

This year's first-round matchups feature some key rematches from last season, including the defending champion Florida Panthers facing in-state rival Tampa Bay Lighting and last year's runner-up Edmonton Oilers facing the Los Angeles Kings for the fourth year in a row.