Find out when the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff schedule will be released, key dates, format details, and how to watch the action unfold.

Apr 8, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The Stanley Cup Playoffs field is nearly set. There’s less than a week left in the regular season, and only four spots are left up for grabs. Seeding is also a hot-button topic, with many of the first-round matchups still in flux.

The official schedule for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is typically announced shortly after the regular season concludes. When the 2024–25 NHL regular season ends, the full playoff schedule is expected to be released on or around that date, with matchups and game dates determined based on the final standings and tiebreakers.

The NHL’s playoff structure includes the top three teams from each division and two wild-card teams per conference. Division winners face wild-card teams in the first round, while second- and third-place teams within each division compete against each other.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule Release Date

The official schedule for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is typically announced shortly after the regular season concludes. Since the 2024–25 NHL regular season ends on April 17, the full playoff schedule is expected to be released on or around that date. The playoffs are set to begin on April 19, 2025, with matchups and game dates determined based on the final standings and tiebreakers.

How Do the NHL Playoffs Work?

The NHL playoffs feature 16 teams, eight from each conference, competing in a four-round, best-of-seven series format. The top three teams from each division automatically qualify, while two wild-card teams from each conference secure the final spots. The first round follows a divisional format, with the highest-seeded division winners facing the lowest-seeded wild-card teams.

The winners advance through the second round, conference finals, and ultimately, the Stanley Cup Final, where the Eastern and Western Conference champions battle for hockey’s most coveted trophy.

Image Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images