2025 Stanley Cup playoffs predictions

The Denver Gazette sports staff makes its postseason picks:

Paul Klee, sports editor

Avalanche-Stars series: Avalanche in 5

Assigning Mikko Rantanen to an opening series vs. his Avs boys is a made-for-TV trick straight from the NFL’s playbook. But Nate MacKinnon brings a new gear to the playoffs — and Evan Rawal reports the Stars have real injury issues.

Western Conference finals: Oilers over Avalanche in 5

Edmonton’s Game 7 loss in the 2024 Stanley Cup final adds extra motivation for Connor McDavid, the reigning Conn Smythe winner.

Eastern Conference finals: Capitals over Panthers in 7

Months shy of his 40th birthday, Alex Ovechkin has missed only 76 games in a hard-hitting career two decades long. How is that possible?

Stanley Cup finals: Oilers over Capitals in 5

Canada hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993 — four years before McDavid was born. The drought ends in June.

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Evan Rawal, Avalanche reporter

Avalanche-Stars series: Avalanche in 6

No Miro Heiskanen is significant, and all of Dallas’ underlying numbers without him are ugly. If Jason Robertson is also hurt, that’s not good news for a Dallas team facing a pretty healthy Colorado squad.

Western Conference finals: Golden Knights over Avalanche in 7

Vegas’ easier path to the conference finals comes in handy late in a tightly contested series.

Eastern Conference finals: Lightning over Hurricanes in 6

Hurricanes will have the easier path to the conference finals but the Lightning are just a better team with an elite goaltender.

Stanley Cup finals: Golden Knights over Lightning in 6

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Every single media member will attempt to cover this warm-weather matchup between two recent champs.

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Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor

Avalanche-Stars series: Avalanche in 6

This should be the Western Conference finals matchup, not the first round. The Avalanche get revenge for last season as they are the healthier and more dangerous squad.

Western Conference finals: Golden Knights over Avalanche in 7

The Avs could be worn out by this point going through the Stars and possibly the Jets. The Vegas’ side of the bracket is just a lot easier.

Eastern Conference finals: Capitals over Panthers in 6

Alex Ovechkin continues his historic season by leading Washington back to the Stanley Cup final over the defending champs.

Stanley Cup finals: Capitals over Golden Knights in 7

This is the storybook ending the NHL wants, right? 

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist

Avalanche-Stars series: Avalanche in 5

All signs point to Avs, who are healthier, hotter and about to get an emotional jolt from the return of Gabe Landeskog. The only caveat: What if Peter DeBoer coaches circles around Jared Bednar?

Western Conference finals: Golden Knights over Avalanche in 7

We’re going to Vegas, baby. While this isn’t the blood feud of Avs vs. Red Wings back in the day, it’s the most underrated rivalry in the league.

Eastern Conference finals: Capitals over Lightning in 6

On the other side of the tourney bracket, this first-round matchup between Tampa Bay and coach extraordinaire Jon Cooper versus the defending champion Panthers feels like mirror image of Avs-Stars. Winner of series could get on a big roll.

Stanley Cup finals: Capitals over Golden Knights in 6

At age 39, this is Alex Ovechkin’s year. Am I right? But it’s goaltending of Logan Thompson that will make or break Ovi’s shot at a storybook ending.