Five Potential NHL Playoff Matchups That We’d Love To See
By Anthony Carbone, The Hockey News Intern
The NHL playoffs are where rivalries ignite, underdogs rise up and legends are made. Every post-season delivers its unforgettable battles, but some matchups have the potential to steal the spotlight before the puck even drops. Imagine high-octane superstars clashing, old foes revisiting past grudges or an upstart team trying to topple a dynasty. As the regular season winds down, the standings hint at some electrifying possibilities.
From classic showdowns to fresh new storylines, here are five potential first-round NHL playoff matchups that could set the hockey world ablaze and keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars
The first matchup to consider would be between two Western Conference juggernauts, the Avalanche and the Stars. Superstars across both lineups would see Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas take on the likes of Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz, leading to an entertaining matchup.
The Avs are looking to win another Stanley Cup this decade – having hoisted the NHL’s championship trophy in 2022 – as they attempt to get back to the final. Not to mention, this series would pit former Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen against his former team as the newest member of the Stars.
Dallas has made it to the Western Conference final two years in a row, but his year, they want to take another step and compete for Lord Stanley’s Cup. This series will most likely happen if these two teams remain in second and third place in the Central Division, and with the way the standings look, a series between these two teams seems almost inevitable. With the amount of star power on both sides and their Stanley Cup windows open, these two teams are looking to do anything to win, and seeing them go against each other in Round 1 would make for a must-see series.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers
Here's an Original Six matchup for the list, as a battle between the Leafs and Rangers would make for a great first-round series. With the NHL’s current playoff format, Toronto hasn’t played a Metropolitan Division opponent in a long time – and the last time the Leafs faced the Rangers in the playoffs was way back in 1962. If the Leafs can win the Atlantic Division and the Rangers line up in a wild-card spot, this matchup could spark a lot of interest. The ‘Core Four’ in Toronto going up against Rangers newcomer J.T. Miller and standout goaltender Igor Shesterkin? Yes, please.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
The Battle of Ontario would be a compelling matchup in the first round of the playoffs. The Senators, looking to make the post-season for the first time since 2017, would love a shot at playing their division rival in the first round. The Leafs, looking to progress from the second round and go on a Cup run, would entertain a Battle of Ontario matchup.
The rich history between the two teams could result in a great series with great matchups between Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander going up against the likes of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle and goalie Linus Ullmark. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs was 2004, with the Leafs winning in seven games.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
From the Battle of Ontario to the Battle of Alberta. The rich legacy between Alberta’s two teams began in 1980 when the Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary, and the rest is history. Most recently, in the 2022 playoffs, the Oilers faced off against the Flames in a highly anticipated second-round matchup. The Oilers took that series in five games, and Connor McDavid was the hero in overtime of Game 5 in Calgary.
⏪🗓 May 26, 2022
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 26, 2023
The #Oilers clinched the second-round series over the Flames as Connor McDavid ended the #BattleofAlberta with an unforgettable 5-4 OT winner. pic.twitter.com/WXeYAloR7I
With the Oilers looking to make it back to the Cup final, a feisty Flames roster is looking to make the post-season for the first time since 2022. The Flames are leaning on rookie goalie Dustin Wolf to lead them into the playoffs. This series will likely happen if Edmonton can capture the top spot in the Pacific from Vegas and if Calgary remains in a wild-card position. If it does happen, it will certainly be electric.
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Battle of the Sunshine State is the Florida showdown that NHL fans need. This rivalry has intensified over the past few seasons as these clubs have battled in the playoffs three times in the past four years. In 2021, the Lightning won the series 4-2. In 2022, they swept the Panthers 4-0. And last post-season, the Panthers won 4-1.
Every regular-season meeting between these two teams is always intense – in a game in December, Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov hit Panthers pot-stirrer Matthew Tkachuk knee-on-knee, which did not sit well with Florida’s bench. The Panthers are looking to go back-to-back and win their second Stanley Cup in a row, while the Lightning are pushing for another Cup with their core players, after going back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.
This series will most likely happen if these two teams finish in the second and third spots in the Atlantic Division, which could happen if Toronto overtakes Florida again. Two Eastern Conference favorites that could potentially meet in the first round would make for must-watch playoff hockey.
Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
Topics
-
The Hockey News Big Show: NHL’s Top Cup Contenders One Week After The Trade Deadline
The Hockey News Big Show now looks toward the battle for the playoffs in the NHL and beyond with a new segment.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Top 10 NHL Teams With The Most Wins Over The Past Decade
By Krishna Bhagnathsingh, The Hockey News InternYahoo Sports - Mar. 9 -
Analyzing Knicks' potential first-round matchups for 2025 NBA playoffs
With the NBA Playoffs just one month away, let's dive into the Knicks' potential first round matchup and how they stack up against each of them.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Five NHL Players On Playoff Hopefuls Who Have Slumped Since The 4 Nations Face-Off
Last month, the 4 Nations Face-Off delivered the kind of edge-of-your-seat action that got hearts pounding for both hockey fans and NHL players — whether they were suiting up in the tournament or ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
NHL playoff watch: Jets-Hurricanes a Stanley Cup Final preview?
Two of the league's best square off in a matchup that could repeat in June. Plus, updated playoff projections, draft lottery standings, more.ESPN - Mar. 10 -
PFL 2025: What are the fights and potential matchups to look forward to?
The new season of PFL brings new fighters and new weight classes. Here are the best matchups and the reason why you should watch.ESPN - 2d -
NHL playoff watch: Where will the Devils finish?
New Jersey currently holds the No. 3 seed in the Metro, but could drop to a wild-card spot -- or worse.ESPN - 3d -
Can Tampa Bay Catch Lightning In A Bottle And Return To Their Championship Ways?
By Nicholas Rego, The Hockey News InternYahoo Sports - 1d -
Don't Forget The Top Two 2024 NHL Draft Picks Play In Sharks v. Blackhawks Matchup
The hockey world will be interested in Macklin Celebrini vs. Connor Bedard when the San Jose Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Commanders bring back key defensive line reserve for 2025
The Washington Commanders brought back a key reserve from their 2024 defensive line on Sunday night.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Who won the MIAA high school hockey state championships?
Six state champions were crowned at the MIAA boys and girls high school hockey state championships at TD Garden on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Boston Celtics rookie Baylor Scheierman's basketball journey is about love for the game
Given the context he needs to grow his game in, it is not hard to see it in action.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
NY Giants mock draft 3.0: Projecting every Big Blue pick as free agency kicks off
Here’s our third New York Giants mock draft now that NFL free agency has kicked off.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
West Virginia shockingly left out of NCAA field
WVU was projected into the NCAA Tournament in all 111 brackets on the BracketMatrix. But not the one that matters.Yahoo Sports - 12m
More in Sports
-
Commanders bring back key defensive line reserve for 2025
The Washington Commanders brought back a key reserve from their 2024 defensive line on Sunday night.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Who won the MIAA high school hockey state championships?
Six state champions were crowned at the MIAA boys and girls high school hockey state championships at TD Garden on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Boston Celtics rookie Baylor Scheierman's basketball journey is about love for the game
Given the context he needs to grow his game in, it is not hard to see it in action.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
NY Giants mock draft 3.0: Projecting every Big Blue pick as free agency kicks off
Here’s our third New York Giants mock draft now that NFL free agency has kicked off.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
West Virginia shockingly left out of NCAA field
WVU was projected into the NCAA Tournament in all 111 brackets on the BracketMatrix. But not the one that matters.Yahoo Sports - 12m