If the completion of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs suggests anything, it’s that the upcoming second round promises intense moments for hockey enthusiasts.
The first round concluded recently with thrilling Game 7s where home teams overcame 2-goal deficits during the third period to progress. The Dallas Stars triumphed with four unanswered goals, defeating the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on Saturday. Additionally, the Winnipeg Jets, the Presidents’ Trophy holders, made a comeback in the final two minutes to beat the St. Louis Blues, with Adam Lowry scoring the decisive goal in overtime.
This sets the stage for an exciting second-round encounter between the Stars and the Jets starting Wednesday in Winnipeg. The Jets have won three of their four regular season matchups against the Stars.
In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights will face the Edmonton Oilers, beginning Game 1 on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Both teams came off strong showings in the first round, eliminating the Minnesota Wild and the Los Angeles Kings, respectively.
Moving to the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs will clash with the defending champions, the Florida Panthers. Their past matchups indicate a compelling encounter, as the Panthers won three of four during the regular season and eliminated Toronto two years prior.
Simultaneously, the Washington Capitals will face the Carolina Hurricanes in a rivalry renewed. Historically, home teams have dominantly performed in their previous encounters.
Despite leading their divisions, both Winnipeg and Washington are considered underdogs in their matchups, carrying odds around +140. Toronto’s standing has them even further back at +150, while the Vegas-Edmonton series is too close to call, leaning slightly in favor of the Golden Knights at -115.
Here are notable teams to consider when placing prop bets for second-round series victories:
Best Bet
Vegas Golden Knights (-105, DraftKings)
The Knights navigated an intense first-round and emerged victorious against the Wild in a tightly contested series. Notably, Shea Theodore contributed significantly, while Pavel Dorofeyev faces uncertainty for the next game after an injury.
Best Longshot
Toronto Maple Leafs (+152, Caesars)
Betting against the Panthers is challenging given their playoff performance. Yet, Toronto’s Auston Matthews must elevate his game to counter Florida’s advantages in the crease.
For full predictions and expert picks throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, visit SportsLine!
