Welcome back to NHL Notebook — the series here at <a class="text-accent" href="https://canucksarmy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CanucksArmy</a> where we deliver you news and notes from around the National Hockey League — oftentimes through a <a class="text-accent" href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vancouver Canucks</a>-tinted lens!
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Unfortunaley, the Vancouver Canucks will not be heading to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team fell six points short of the St. Louis Blues for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
However, with or without the Canucks, the playoff stage is set for the 16 teams around the NHL:
<h2>Pacific Division</h2>
<blockquote>Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild</blockquote>
The Golden Knights swept the season series 3-0 against the Wild.
Vegas enters this series having won five of its last seven games, with those two losses coming in shootouts. After locking up the Pacific Division title, the Golden Knights were able to give some veterans some rest during the final few games of the season. Shockingly, Mark Stone and the rest of the Golden Knights roster are fully healthy for this playoff run.
Minnesota enters this series winners of four of their last five games. However, all four of those wins came after regulation. The Wild were one of the hottest teams out of the gate this season, but fell into injury trouble. But now, they&#8217;re all healthy with Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returning at the tail end of the regular season.
Series Prediction: Vegas 4-2.
<blockquote>Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers</blockquote>
The Kings won the season series 3-1 over the Oilers.
Los Angeles enters this series having won eight of their last 10 games, with last night&#8217;s loss to the Calgary Flames being one of their setbacks, although they rested players. The Kings are one of the hottest teams coming into the playoffs, backed by solid defensive play and the emergence of Quinton Byfield. They have a full bill of health, except for Tanner Jeannot, who is considered week-to-week.
Edmonton is the opposite. They are just starting to get healthy? Connor McDavid played in the final game of the regular season, but Leon Draisaitl, Trent Frederic, Evander Kane and Stuart Skinner all remain questionable. Mattias Ekholm is the only one who has been ruled out for the first round of the playoffs, which is a massive loss.
This is the fourth straight year these teams have met in the playoffs. Edmonton has won all three of the previous years, and we&#8217;re predicting that history will repeat itself.
Series Prediction: Edmonton 4-3.
<h2>Central Division</h2>
<blockquote>Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues</blockquote>
The Jets won the season series 3-1 over the Blues.
Winnipeg enters this series winners of four of their last five, and despite locking up the Western Conference, did not rest any of their star players. Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck all played in Game 82 against the Anaheim Ducks, in a meaningless game. Nikolaj Ehlers has been declared week-to-week with a foot injury, while another top-six forward, Gabe Vilardi, remains day-to-day.
St. Louis was one of the hottest teams coming out of the 4 Nations Face-off. They went on a 12-game winning streak, but have dropped three of their last four heading into the playoffs. The Blues had a scare with Robert Thomas leaving their final game, but head coach Jim Montgomery deemed him day-to-day.
Series Prediction: Jets 4-1.
<blockquote>Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche</blockquote>
The Avalanche won the season series 2-1 over the Stars.
Dallas is limping into this playoff run. At one point, they were competing with the Jets for the top spot in the Central Division and Western Conference. But now, they have lost seven in a row, allowing four or more in six and five or more in five of those games. Not only has the goaltending dried up for the Stars, but their top forward, Jason Robertson, left Game 82 and was seen sporting a knee brace after the game. That&#8217;s not to mention their top defenceman, Miro Heiskanen, who logged over 25 minutes per game this season, has already been ruled out for the first round.
Colorado has had their recent struggles as well, winning just two of their previous five starts, but comes into this matchup healthier. Valeri Nichuskin, Artturi Lehkonen, Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Lindgren are all deemed day-to-day, but there are no signs they won&#8217;t be ready for Game 1. Not only that, but Captain Gabriel Landeskog completed his conditioning stint in the AHL and has since been called up. We&#8217;ll see if he makes it into NHL action, having not played since the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals.
Series Prediction: Avalanche 4-2.
<h2>Atlantic Division</h2>
<blockquote>Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators</blockquote>
The Senators swept the season series 3-0 against the Maple Leafs.
Toronto enters the playoffs as one of the hottest teams, winners of five straight and nine of their last 10 games. Many regard this as one of the best chances for Toronto to make noise in the playoffs, facing off against a Senators team whose core has yet to see playoff action, while having their two biggest kryptonites face off in the other Atlantic Division matchup. Toronto has a couple of blue line injuries, with Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson dealing with ailments.
Ottawa enters the playoffs winners of six of their last eight games. This is the first taste of NHL playoff action for most of this Senators&#8217; core, with Captain Brady Tkachuk being a prime player for the physical style of hockey that the postseason demands. Tkachuk missed eight games, but did return for the regular season finale last night. The Senators enter the playoffs with a clean bill of health.
Series Prediction: Maple Leafs 4-2.
<blockquote>Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers</blockquote>
The Lightning and Panthers tied the season series 2-2.
Tampa Bay enters the playoffs with a .500 record over six games, but two of those losses came in overtime. The Lightning have the NHL&#8217;s leading scorer, along with three other players finishing with 80+ points. Their offensive talent, along with the brick wall, Andrei Vasilevskiy, in net, is a tall task for any team, even the reigning Stanley Cup champs. The only player of note with an injury coming into the playoffs is Trade Deadline acquisition Oliver Bjorkstrand, who is deemed week-to-week.
Florida has struggled entering the playoffs, losing seven of their last 10 games. The Panthers made some big splashes at this past trade deadline, acquiring Seth Jones and Brad Marchand; however, the problem is that they&#8217;ve dealt with numerous injuries, making it unclear how all these players will gel together. Let&#8217;s not forget, Aaron Ekblad was suspended for violating the NHL&#8217;s PED policy and will miss the first two games of this series. Head coach Paul Maurice said all players will be available for Game 1, but does that include the seriously injured Matthew Tkachuk?
Series Prediction: Lightning 4-3.
<h2>Metropolitan Division</h2>
<blockquote>Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens</blockquote>
The Capitals won the season series 2-1 against the Canadiens.
Washington continues to win games coming into the playoffs, but has had trouble keeping the puck out of their net. Since Alex Ovechkin broke the NHL goal-scoring record, the Capitals&#8217; offence hasn&#8217;t been as explosive, scoring more than three goals just once. Head coach Spencer Carbery had no update on starting goalie Logan Thompson&#8217;s playoff status, but otherwise, the Capitals have no other notable injuries.
Montreal is another one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs, having won seven of their last 10 games. The Canadiens have no notable injuries outside of Kirby Dach&#8217;s, which was sustained earlier this season. But they did get some KHL reinforcement in Ivan Demidov, who had two first period points in their penultimate game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Series Prediction: Capitals 4-3.
<blockquote>Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils</blockquote>
The Hurricanes and Devils tied the season series 2-2.
Carolina has not looked great heading into the playoffs, losing seven of their last eight games, but they haven&#8217;t had anything to play for as their series matchup was the first to be confirmed earlier in the month. Thus, the Hurricanes took advantage and rested some players, which could have led to these results. Carolina has no notable injuries heading into the playoffs.
New Jersey&#8217;s offence has dried up over their last five games, scoring more than two goals just once, and losing four of those five. The Devils had Dougie Hamilton return in their final game of the season, but they will still be without their top offensive weapon in Jack Hughes, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury on March 2. They will also be without top defensive defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler, who joins Hughes on long-term injured reserve.
Series Prediction: Hurricanes 4-1.
What do you think, Canucks fans? Do you agree with our series predictions? Let us know in the comments below.
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Welcome back to NHL Notebook — the series here at <a class="text-accent" href="https://canucksarmy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CanucksArmy</a> where we deliver you news and notes from around the National Hockey League — oftentimes through a <a class="text-accent" href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vancouver Canucks</a>-tinted lens!
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Unfortunaley, the Vancouver Canucks will not be heading to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team fell six points short of the St. Louis Blues for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

However, with or without the Canucks, the playoff stage is set for the 16 teams around the NHL:
<h2>Pacific Division</h2>
<blockquote>Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild</blockquote>
The Golden Knights swept the season series 3-0 against the Wild.

Vegas enters this series having won five of its last seven games, with those two losses coming in shootouts. After locking up the Pacific Division title, the Golden Knights were able to give some veterans some rest during the final few games of the season. Shockingly, Mark Stone and the rest of the Golden Knights roster are fully healthy for this playoff run.

Minnesota enters this series winners of four of their last five games. However, all four of those wins came after regulation. The Wild were one of the hottest teams out of the gate this season, but fell into injury trouble. But now, they're all healthy with Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returning at the tail end of the regular season.

Series Prediction: Vegas 4-2.
<blockquote>Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers</blockquote>
The Kings won the season series 3-1 over the Oilers.

Los Angeles enters this series having won eight of their last 10 games, with last night's loss to the Calgary Flames being one of their setbacks, although they rested players. The Kings are one of the hottest teams coming into the playoffs, backed by solid defensive play and the emergence of Quinton Byfield. They have a full bill of health, except for Tanner Jeannot, who is considered week-to-week.

Edmonton is the opposite. They are just starting to get healthy? Connor McDavid played in the final game of the regular season, but Leon Draisaitl, Trent Frederic, Evander Kane and Stuart Skinner all remain questionable. Mattias Ekholm is the only one who has been ruled out for the first round of the playoffs, which is a massive loss.

This is the fourth straight year these teams have met in the playoffs. Edmonton has won all three of the previous years, and we're predicting that history will repeat itself.

Series Prediction: Edmonton 4-3.
<h2>Central Division</h2>
<blockquote>Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues</blockquote>
The Jets won the season series 3-1 over the Blues.

Winnipeg enters this series winners of four of their last five, and despite locking up the Western Conference, did not rest any of their star players. Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck all played in Game 82 against the Anaheim Ducks, in a meaningless game. Nikolaj Ehlers has been declared week-to-week with a foot injury, while another top-six forward, Gabe Vilardi, remains day-to-day.

St. Louis was one of the hottest teams coming out of the 4 Nations Face-off. They went on a 12-game winning streak, but have dropped three of their last four heading into the playoffs. The Blues had a scare with Robert Thomas leaving their final game, but head coach Jim Montgomery deemed him day-to-day.

Series Prediction: Jets 4-1.
<blockquote>Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche</blockquote>
The Avalanche won the season series 2-1 over the Stars.

Dallas is limping into this playoff run. At one point, they were competing with the Jets for the top spot in the Central Division and Western Conference. But now, they have lost seven in a row, allowing four or more in six and five or more in five of those games. Not only has the goaltending dried up for the Stars, but their top forward, Jason Robertson, left Game 82 and was seen sporting a knee brace after the game. That's not to mention their top defenceman, Miro Heiskanen, who logged over 25 minutes per game this season, has already been ruled out for the first round.

Colorado has had their recent struggles as well, winning just two of their previous five starts, but comes into this matchup healthier. Valeri Nichuskin, Artturi Lehkonen, Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Lindgren are all deemed day-to-day, but there are no signs they won't be ready for Game 1. Not only that, but Captain Gabriel Landeskog completed his conditioning stint in the AHL and has since been called up. We'll see if he makes it into NHL action, having not played since the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals.

Series Prediction: Avalanche 4-2.
<h2>Atlantic Division</h2>
<blockquote>Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators</blockquote>
The Senators swept the season series 3-0 against the Maple Leafs.

Toronto enters the playoffs as one of the hottest teams, winners of five straight and nine of their last 10 games. Many regard this as one of the best chances for Toronto to make noise in the playoffs, facing off against a Senators team whose core has yet to see playoff action, while having their two biggest kryptonites face off in the other Atlantic Division matchup. Toronto has a couple of blue line injuries, with Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson dealing with ailments.

Ottawa enters the playoffs winners of six of their last eight games. This is the first taste of NHL playoff action for most of this Senators' core, with Captain Brady Tkachuk being a prime player for the physical style of hockey that the postseason demands. Tkachuk missed eight games, but did return for the regular season finale last night. The Senators enter the playoffs with a clean bill of health.

Series Prediction: Maple Leafs 4-2.
<blockquote>Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers</blockquote>
The Lightning and Panthers tied the season series 2-2.

Tampa Bay enters the playoffs with a .500 record over six games, but two of those losses came in overtime. The Lightning have the NHL's leading scorer, along with three other players finishing with 80+ points. Their offensive talent, along with the brick wall, Andrei Vasilevskiy, in net, is a tall task for any team, even the reigning Stanley Cup champs. The only player of note with an injury coming into the playoffs is Trade Deadline acquisition Oliver Bjorkstrand, who is deemed week-to-week.

Florida has struggled entering the playoffs, losing seven of their last 10 games. The Panthers made some big splashes at this past trade deadline, acquiring Seth Jones and Brad Marchand; however, the problem is that they've dealt with numerous injuries, making it unclear how all these players will gel together. Let's not forget, Aaron Ekblad was suspended for violating the NHL's PED policy and will miss the first two games of this series. Head coach Paul Maurice said all players will be available for Game 1, but does that include the seriously injured Matthew Tkachuk?

Series Prediction: Lightning 4-3.
<h2>Metropolitan Division</h2>
<blockquote>Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens</blockquote>
The Capitals won the season series 2-1 against the Canadiens.

Washington continues to win games coming into the playoffs, but has had trouble keeping the puck out of their net. Since Alex Ovechkin broke the NHL goal-scoring record, the Capitals' offence hasn't been as explosive, scoring more than three goals just once. Head coach Spencer Carbery had no update on starting goalie Logan Thompson's playoff status, but otherwise, the Capitals have no other notable injuries.

Montreal is another one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs, having won seven of their last 10 games. The Canadiens have no notable injuries outside of Kirby Dach's, which was sustained earlier this season. But they did get some KHL reinforcement in Ivan Demidov, who had two first period points in their penultimate game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Series Prediction: Capitals 4-3.
<blockquote>Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils</blockquote>
The Hurricanes and Devils tied the season series 2-2.

Carolina has not looked great heading into the playoffs, losing seven of their last eight games, but they haven't had anything to play for as their series matchup was the first to be confirmed earlier in the month. Thus, the Hurricanes took advantage and rested some players, which could have led to these results. Carolina has no notable injuries heading into the playoffs.

New Jersey's offence has dried up over their last five games, scoring more than two goals just once, and losing four of those five. The Devils had Dougie Hamilton return in their final game of the season, but they will still be without their top offensive weapon in Jack Hughes, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury on March 2. They will also be without top defensive defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler, who joins Hughes on long-term injured reserve.

Series Prediction: Hurricanes 4-1.

What do you think, Canucks fans? Do you agree with our series predictions? Let us know in the comments below.

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