When do 2025 NHL playoffs begin? Bracket format, dates and more
The NHL regular season will end on Thursday, and the playoff bracket is becoming clearer.
The Washington Capitals (Metropolitan), Winnipeg Jets (Central) and Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific) have clinched division titles and the Toronto Maple Leafs could clinch the Atlantic Division title on Sunday. The Jets (Western) and Capitals (Eastern) have clinched the best records in their conferences, and the Jets can clinch the Presidents' Trophy for top regular-season team on Sunday.
Thirteen of the 16 playoff spots have been filled and the remaining three could be clinched on Sunday. Also, three first-round series are set: Carolina-New Jersey, Dallas-Colorado and Los Angeles-Edmonton (home-ice advantage TBD). More could follow Sunday.
Here's what you need to know about when the NHL playoffs begin, the Stanley Cup playoffs bracket format and key dates through the opening of free agency.
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 17 with seven games.
When do the NHL playoffs begin?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 19.
NHL playoff bracket explained
The top three teams in each division qualify for the playoffs. The next best two teams in each conference qualify as wild-card teams.
The playoff bracket is as follows (all series are best-of-seven):
First round (in each conference)
- Best team vs. second wild-card team
- No. 2 team in that division vs. No. 3 team.
- Other division winner vs. first wild-card team
- No. 2 team in that division vs. No. 3 team.
Second round (in each conference)
The winners of the first two series would face each other, as would the winners of the third and fourth series. Home-ice advantage goes to the team with the best record.
Conference finals (in each conference)
The winners of the second-round series would face each other. Home-ice advantage goes to the team with the best record.
Stanley Cup Final
Conference finals winners would face each other in the championship round. Home-ice advantage goes to the team with the best record.
Current NHL playoff bracket
(as of morning of Sunday, April 13)
Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
Western Conference
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
When is the NHL draft lottery?
That date is to be determined. NHL Central Scouting's final prospects rankings are due to come out the week of April 15.
When is the NHL Scouting Combine?
The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine will be held June 1-7 at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York.
When does the Stanley Cup Final begin?
No opening date has been set. It depends on how the playoff series progress. The last possible date for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is June 23.
When is the NHL Awards Show?
That date is to be determined.
When is the NHL draft?
The 2025 draft will be held on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 in Los Angeles at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater. It was last held in Los Angeles in 2010.
Top prospects, media and fans will be in attendance, but NHL team executives, scouts and coaches will participate virtually this year.
When does NHL free agency begin?
NHL free agency begins at noon on July 1.