Updated 2025 NHL Playoff Picture, Bracket, Matchups After Devils Clinch Spot
Another team punched its ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday as the NHL regular seasons nears its end.
The New Jersey Devils were idle on Wednesday, but earned a playoff berth thanks to the Philadelphia Flyers win over the New York Rangers.
With one more team playoff bound, here's a look at the current playoff matchups.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Minnesota Wild
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs WC1 St. Louis Blues
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Not only did the Devils clinch a playoff spot, but the first round meeting between them and the Carolina Hurricanes is now the first playoff matchup to be locked in.
The playoff berth for New Jersey is just its third in the last four seasons. The Devils missed the postseason last year after reaching the second round in 2023. They're hoping to make their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2012 when they lost to the Los Angeles Kings.
While the Devils aren't heading into the postseason as a top contender, they've made plenty of strides since last season when they finished the year 38-39. The biggest addition this offseason was hiring new coach Sheldon Keefe.
New Jersey also loaded up with key pieces like goalie Jacob Markstrom, defensemen Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon and Jonathan Kovacevic, and forwards Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter.
Whether Keefe will be able to lead his squad to a deep playoff run in Year 1 remains to be seen, but he at least managed to get the Devils back to the postseason.
Canucks Complete Historic Comeback in OT Win vs. Stars, Astound NHL Fans
The Vancouver Canucks scored three goals in the final minute of regulation to force overtime before right wing Kiefer Sherwood scored the game-winning goal to complete a phenomenal 6-5 comeback road win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
Center Aatu Raty scored with one minute left to cut the lead to 5-3 before center Pius Suter scored goals with 30 seconds and then six seconds left to tie the game at five. Then Kiefer Sherwood scored the game-winner with 1:16 left in OT to complete the near-impossible comeback.
Per NHL Public Relations, the Canucks became the first team to win a game after losing by three goals in the final minute of regulation.
It was an amazing win for the Canucks, whose ever-so-slight hopes to qualify for the playoffs remained alive.
Meanwhile, it was a brutal loss for the Stars, with WFAA's Mike Leslie putting it into perspective.
Needless to say, fans tipped their caps to the Canucks.
The Canucks need to win out and get a lot of help to make the playoffs, but after their remarkable finish, they're still alive. Up next is a road matchup with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
Winnipeg Jets Prospect Chaz Lucius Retires at 21 Due to Hereditary Tissue Disorder
Winnipeg Jets prospect Chaz Lucius announced his retirement from hockey on Tuesday due to a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a "group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues—primarily your skin, joints and blood vessel walls."
"After much discussion and consultation with Chaz, his representatives, and medical professionals, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club fully supports his difficult decision to retire," the Jets' organization said in a statement. "Chaz's condition and struggles with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) put him at risk of injury if he continues to play at the professional level, so we understand his choice. We wish Chaz all the best in his efforts to be an advocate for those dealing with EDS and hope for a bright future in front of him."
Lucius, 21, has spent the last three seasons playing for the Manitoba Moose—Winnipeg's AHL affiliate—after being the No. 18 overall pick in the 2021 draft. He also spent time at the University of Minnesota (2021-22).
In 25 games this season, Lucius registered nine points, though he hasn't played since February. He had 13 points in the 2023-24 season for Manitoba and five points in the 2022-23 campaign.
Lucius worked his way up the ranks with the U.S. National Team Development Program, eventually appearing at the 2023 World Juniors.
Injuries throughout his career, however, hampered his development.
"As I struggled with incurring and recovering from various joint injuries over the past several years, I had thought I was just unlucky," he said in his retirement statement. "With this diagnosis of EDS, I now realize that my body impacted by EDS could not handle the physical nature of playing hockey."