Today’s NHL Games (April 18, 2025)
There are no Today’s NHL Games scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025, marking a one‑day gap between the end of the regular season and the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs℠ ESPN.com. This hiatus gives teams a brief respite to regroup and makeup sessions for those in need, while fans prepare for the postseason spectacle.
Regular Season Finale Recap
Last Day Highlights
- The 2024–25 regular season wrapped up on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after each of the 32 clubs completed their 82‑game slates NHL Media.
- Alex Ovechkin famously netted his historic 895th goal on the season’s penultimate day—surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all‑time record—capping off a remarkable individual campaign Reuters.
- The Florida Panthers clinched the Presidents’ Trophy with an Eastern Conference–best 118 points, while the Colorado Avalanche topped the West at 112 points NHL Media.
Final Standings Snapshot
- Atlantic Division Champion: Florida Panthers
- Metropolitan Division Champion: Washington Capitals
- Central Division Champion: Dallas Stars
- Pacific Division Champion: Edmonton Oilers
The top three seeds in each conference—and the two wild cards—were set on April 17, setting the stage for a thrilling first round.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview
Overview & Key Dates
- The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday, April 19, with eight first‑round series kicking off across North America NHL Media.
- Games will run daily through early June, culminating in the Stanley Cup Final in late May or early June.
Eastern Conference Matchups
| Seed | Team | Opponent | First Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida Panthers | Wild Card #2 (Tampa Bay) | Apr 19, 7:00 PM ET |
| 2 | Boston Bruins | Wild Card #1 (Toronto) | Apr 19, 7:00 PM ET |
| 3 | Carolina Hurricanes | 6. New York Islanders | Apr 20, 7:30 PM ET |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 5. New York Rangers | Apr 20, 8:00 PM ET |
Panthers vs. Lightning
The Florida Panthers look to defend their title against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who squeaked in as the second wild card. Florida’s depth—anchored by Aleksander Barkov and Sergei Bobrovsky—versus Tampa’s playoff pedigree (three Cups in 10 years) makes this a marquee series Reuters.
Bruins vs. Maple Leafs
A clash of Original Six rivals: Boston returns with its league‑best defense, while Toronto rides hot goaltending from Ilya Samsonov. Expect intense physicality and likely one of the series’ standout battles Reuters.
Western Conference Matchups
| Seed | Team | Opponent | First Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas Stars | Wild Card #2 (Calgary) | Apr 19, 9:30 PM CT |
| 2 | Colorado Avalanche | Wild Card #1 (St. Louis) | Apr 19, 8:00 PM MT |
| 3 | Edmonton Oilers | 6. Los Angeles Kings | Apr 20, 9:00 PM MT |
| 4 | Vegas Golden Knights | 5. Minnesota Wild | Apr 20, 10:00 PM PT |
Oilers vs. Kings
The Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, square off against the Los Angeles Kings—last year’s surprise semifinalists. Goaltender performance by Cam Talbot (LA) vs. Calvin Pickard (EDM) could tilt the balance Reuters.
Stars vs. Flames
A Battle of Texas meets Canada: Dallas brings top‑line firepower with Jason Robertson, while Calgary boasts a stingy blue line. Special teams will be the deciding factor here SBNation.com.
Broadcast & Streaming Information
- ESPN/ABC and TNT share national windows; NHL Network carries overflow games ESPN.com.
- ESPN+ (with Hulu bundle) streams out‑of‑market games without blackouts; NHL.TV offers full‑season access internationally.
- Regional broadcasts: check your local provider for NBCSP, MSG, Sportsnet, TSN, etc. ESPN.com.
Time Zones & Start Times
| Time Zone | First-Round Starts |
|---|---|
| ET | 7 PM, 7:30 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM |
| CT | 6 PM, 7:30 PM, 8 PM, 9:30 PM |
| MT | 5 PM, 6:30 PM, 7 PM, 8 PM |
| PT | 4 PM, 5:30 PM, 6 PM, 7 PM |
Deep Dives & Storylines to Watch
Ovechkin’s Final Run
After eclipsing Gretzky, Alex Ovechkin chases his first Cup in Washington, with the Capitals eyeing redemption Reuters.
McDavid vs. Barkov
Will Connor McDavid’s dynamic offense outshine Aleksander Barkov’s two‑way brilliance in their respective series? SBNation.com.
Goalie Showdowns
First‑round goaltending matchups (e.g., Bobrovsky vs. Vasilevskiy) could define their teams’ fates Reuters.
Statistical Insights
- Power Play Efficiency: Top seed Panthers (28.4%) vs. Lightning (25.9%) Reuters.
- Penalty Kill: Bruins (83.1%) vs. Maple Leafs (80.7%) Reuters.
- Corsi For %: Stars (54.2%) vs. Flames (49.8%) SBNation.com.
Historical Context
- Canadian Cup Drought: No Canadian team has hoisted the Cup since Montreal in 1993—a 32‑year quest Reuters.
- Back‑to‑Back Champions: Last achieved by the Islanders (1982–83); Florida can become the first since 1984–85 Oilers Reuters.
Betting & Fantasy Angles
Consult lines and props for opening games—e.g., Canadiens +140 vs. Senators on RotoWire’s board—which also provides over/under and puck‑line insights for DFS players RotoWire.
Conclusion
Although April 18 is dark on the ice, it sets the stage for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, promising four weeks of high‑stakes drama. Use the SEO keyword list and in‑depth analysis above to craft an engaging, discoverable blog post that keeps fans informed and ranks at the top of Google searches worldwide.
Good luck, and may your content—and favorite team—dominate the playoffs!