Red Wings react to being eliminated from 2025 NHL playoff race
Detroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin & Todd McLellan, April 13, 2025 in Detroit.
When do the 2025 NHL playoffs start?
Here’s what to know about the final day of the NHL regular season and the beginning of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, with the schedule, TV channels, information on how to watch and how to stream as well as the teams that have clinched and could still clinch berths in the NHL postseason.
There will be 16 teams in the NHL playoffs with each round a best-of-seven format. The NHL playoff bracket doesn’t reseed. The top three teams in each division earn bids into the NHL postseason, with the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference earning the remaining four spots in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Watch NHL playoffs on ESPN (free trial)
When does the NHL regular season end?
The final day of the NHL regular season is on Thursday, April 17.
When do the 2025 NHL playoffs start?
The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs starts on Saturday, April 19.
What channels are NHL playoff games on?
ESPN, ABC and TNT will show NHL playoff games this season.
How can I stream the NHL playoffs?
The Stanley Cup playoffs can be streamed on services that carry ESPN and ABC, including FUBO TV, which offers a free trial.
They can also be seen on services that carry TNT, including Sling TV.
Who has clinched a spot in the NHL playoffs?
- Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators
- Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues
Who could still clinch a spot in the NHL playoffs?
The Western Conference teams are set, but two teams are still fighting for the final spot in the Eastern Conference: the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Canadiens have 89 points, while the Blue Jackets have 87.
Who has been eliminated from the NHL playoffs?
- Calgary Flames
- Boston Bruins
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Buffalo Sabres
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- New York Islanders
- Detroit Red Wings
- New York Rangers
- San Jose Sharks
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Nashville Predators
- Seattle Kraken
- Anaheim Ducks
- Utah Hockey Club
- Vancouver Canucks
Watch NHL playoff games on Sling TV
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Reporter Jenna Ortiz contributed to this story.
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