The Post’s predictions for the 2025 NHL playoffs

The Post’s hockey writers make their pick for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs:
Larry Brooks
First round
Maple Leafs over Senators in 6
Lightning over Panthers in 7
Capitals over Canadiens in 6
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals shoots the puck against the Montreal Canadiens. Getty Images
Hurricanes over Devils in 5
Jets over Blues in 5
Stars over Avalanche in 7
Golden Knights over Wild in 5
Kings over Oilers in 7
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) skates against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Second round
Lightning over Maple Leafs in 7
Capitals over Hurricanes in 7
Stars over Jets in 6
Golden Knights over Kings in 5
Conference final
Lightning over Capitals in 5
Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers at Amalie Arena on April 15, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. NHLI via Getty Images
Golden Knights over Stars in 7
Stanley Cup final
Lighting over Golden Knights in 6
Conn Smythe: Nikita Kucherov
Mollie Walker
First round
Maple Leafs over Senators in 6
Lightning over Panthers in 7
Capitals over Canadiens in 5
Hurricanes over Devils in 6
Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) celebrates with team his goal scored in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Jets over Blues in 5
Avalanche over Stars in 7
Golden Knights over Wild in 6
Oilers over Kings in 5
Second round
Lightning over Maple Leafs in 7
Hurricanes over Capitals in 6
Avalanche over Jets in 6
Golden Knights over Oilers in 7
Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) steals the puck from Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Conference final
Lightning over Hurricanes in 5
Avalanche over Golden Knights in 6
Stanley Cup final
Lightning over Avalanche in 7
Conn Smythe: Nikita Kucherov
Ethan Sears
First round
Senators over Maple Leafs in 7
Panthers over Lightning in 6
Canadiens over Capitals in 6
Hurricanes over Devils in 4
Jets over Blues in 6
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets salutes the fans after receiving second star honors following a 2-1 overtime victory over the Anaheim Ducks at the Canada Life Centre on April 16, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. NHLI via Getty Images
Avalanche over Stars in 7
Golden Knights over Wild in 5
Kings over Oilers in 7
Second round
Panthers over Senators in 5
Hurricanes over Canadiens in 5
Jets over Avalanche in 7
Kings over Golden Knights in 6
Conference final
Panthers over Hurricanes in 6
Kings over Jets in 7
Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks at Arena on April 10, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. NHLI via Getty Images
Stanley Cup final
Kings over Panthers in 6
Conn Smythe: Adrian Kempe
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals shoots the puck against the Montreal Canadiens. Getty Images
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) skates against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers at Amalie Arena on April 15, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. NHLI via Getty Images
Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi (82) celebrates with team his goal scored in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) steals the puck from Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets salutes the fans after receiving second star honors following a 2-1 overtime victory over the Anaheim Ducks at the Canada Life Centre on April 16, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. NHLI via Getty Images
Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks at Arena on April 10, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. NHLI via Getty Images
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