The field for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs has narrowed down to the final four contenders. In the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers are set for a rematch of their 2023 final. Meanwhile, the Western Conference final is a repeat of 2024, pitting the Dallas Stars against the Edmonton Oilers.
Only two teams will advance to the coveted Stanley Cup Final. This analysis provides key insights into all four teams, covering goaltender confidence, team takeaways, crucial X factors, and more.
- Dallas Stars
- Goaltender Confidence Rating: 9/10
- What we`ve learned about the Stars so far
- X factor for the Conference Finals
- Has past experience prepared the Stars for the next step?
- Edmonton Oilers
- Goaltender Confidence Rating: 8/10
- What we`ve learned about the Oilers so far
- X factor for the Conference Finals
- Is the series win over Vegas a sign of things to come?
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Goaltender Confidence Rating: 9.5/10
- What we`ve learned about the Hurricanes so far
- X factor for the Conference Finals
- Does it matter that Carolina hasn`t faced much adversity yet?
- Florida Panthers
- Goaltender Confidence Rating: 8.5/10
- What we`ve learned about the Panthers so far
- X factor for the Conference Finals
- Will Florida have to beat Carolina at its own game?
Dallas Stars
Route to the Conference Final: Defeated the Avalanche 4-3, then defeated the Jets 4-2.
Goaltender Confidence Rating: 9/10
Jake Oettinger has been crucial for the Stars, providing vital stability in net at a time when many teams face goaltending inconsistencies. He leads all goalies this postseason in shots faced, saves made, and minutes played, which highlights his importance. Oettinger`s value is particularly evident in the Stars` perfect 3-0 overtime record, including two series-clinching victories.
What we`ve learned about the Stars so far
The Stars have demonstrated remarkable adaptability. They overcame initial questions about their ability to advance without injured players like Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson. As they reach the conference finals, they still need more consistent offensive output from certain individuals (as noted below), and their depth faces a significant test against a potentially deeper opponent.
X factor for the Conference Finals
The key question is whether the scoring contributions will remain concentrated or broaden out. Entering this round, five players have accounted for 26 of Dallas` 32 goals (81%). These are Roope Hintz, Thomas Harley, Wyatt Johnston, Mikael Granlund, plus another leading scorer from earlier rounds (assuming Rantanen was a mistake and focusing on the text`s structure). The remaining 19% comes from key forwards like Jamie Benn, Evgenii Dadonov, Mason Marchment, Tyler Seguin, and Matt Duchene who have combined for only five goals. Facing a team known for its strong defensive structure, improved depth scoring will be crucial.
Has past experience prepared the Stars for the next step?
Reaching the conference finals for the third consecutive year confirms Dallas is in a championship window. The question is whether this is the season they break through to the Stanley Cup Final and potentially win it. Their previous trips provided lessons: learning from overtime losses in 2023 and struggling for consistency against the Oilers in 2024. This postseason, they`ve successfully navigated multiple overtime wins, secured the first game of a series, held off a Game 7 push, and advanced despite key injuries. Will these cumulative experiences be sufficient?
Edmonton Oilers
Route to the Conference Final: Defeated the Kings 4-2, then defeated the Golden Knights 4-1.
Goaltender Confidence Rating: 8/10
Edmonton`s regular season defensive structure was sometimes undermined by inconsistent goaltending, which seemed to carry into the playoffs initially. Kris Knoblauch notably swapped goalies, bringing in Calvin Pickard. However, Stuart Skinner returned due to Pickard`s injury and delivered two shutouts against Vegas. Despite ongoing criticism, Skinner has backstopped the Oilers to within four wins of the Final. Crucially, the team has found defensive cohesion, which benefits any netminder.
What we`ve learned about the Oilers so far
The Oilers might be the playoffs` deepest team. While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain their driving force (ranking first and second in team points), the current roster proves they are more than just two superstars. Depth players like waiver pickup Kasperi Kapanen (scoring a series-clinching goal) and veteran Corey Perry (having a strong postseason at 39) have contributed. Over a dozen forwards have scored, and the team has found defensive consistency even without Mattias Ekholm.
X factor for the Conference Finals
Special teams will be key. In the 2024 playoffs, Edmonton boasted an elite penalty kill (94%) and a strong power play (second best). This postseason presents a different picture. While their power play is still effective (25%, 6th overall), their penalty kill is notably weaker (66.7%, 14th overall) compared to the remaining teams. They struggled particularly in the second round, with a low power play success rate (9.1%) and a penalty kill near the bottom (76.9%) among the final eight teams. Can they improve their special teams efficiency?
Is the series win over Vegas a sign of things to come?
By utilizing their entire roster, the Oilers successfully limited the Golden Knights` depth players. Vegas, a team with many double-digit goal scorers in the regular season, saw key forwards like Jack Eichel go goalless and a significant drop-off in scoring from others. Their defensemen also produced far less offensively against Edmonton. The Oilers now have a proven blueprint for neutralizing opponent depth. How effectively can they apply this strategy against the top-heavy Dallas Stars lineup?
Carolina Hurricanes
Route to the Conference Final: Defeated the Devils 4-1, then defeated the Capitals 4-1.
Goaltender Confidence Rating: 9.5/10
Frederik Andersen is having an outstanding playoff run, leading all netminders with remarkable stats (.937 SV%, 1.36 GAA). He`s allowed only 12 goals in nine games and has been excellent against high-danger chances. Andersen also ranks first in high-danger saves and goal differential (+15). His performance has been elite across the board. The main concern is his injury history; he missed time in the first round. However, when healthy, he is arguably the best goalie currently playing.
What we`ve learned about the Hurricanes so far
Carolina is a team that smothers opponents with relentless pressure, leaving minimal space. This full-team effort limits shots against (second fewest at 24 per game) by controlling play in the offensive zone and wearing down the opposition with an effective cycle game. Their defensive corps, led by Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns, excels at breaking up plays. Combined with Andersen`s play and offensive contributions like Andrei Svechnikov`s eight goals, it`s clear why the Hurricanes were the first team to reach the Eastern Conference final.
X factor for the Conference Finals
Coach Rod Brind`Amour`s leadership is crucial. Having been swept by Florida in the 2023 final, he now faces a strategic battle against his former coach, Paul Maurice. Brind`Amour has guided his team effectively through the first two rounds, but this round demands his best coaching. His experience with this group, making adjustments, setting matchups, and managing team morale, will be vital. The team has matured since 2023; Brind`Amour`s role in ensuring they stick to their game plan could be the key to breaking through.
Does it matter that Carolina hasn`t faced much adversity yet?
The Hurricanes have dominated their first two series with minimal struggle. They now face a Panthers team that has had to overcome challenges and cultivate desperation. Florida`s resiliency could be an asset as the stakes rise. How will Carolina react if they fall behind or face significant pushback? Some teams that cruise early struggle against a battle-tested opponent. Carolina must avoid letting potential adversity get into their heads, which could be problematic given their relatively smooth path so far.
Florida Panthers
Route to the Conference Final: Defeated the Lightning 4-1, then defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3.
Goaltender Confidence Rating: 8.5/10
Sergei Bobrovsky hasn`t been perfect this postseason but has delivered when it matters most, helping Florida reach their third straight Eastern Conference Final. He rebounded strongly in the Toronto series, allowing only four goals in the final four games after a shaky start. Bobrovsky now faces Frederik Andersen, who has had a standout playoff, but Bobrovsky possesses valuable Cup Final experience. This battle-tested quality means the Hurricanes are unlikely to rattle him.
What we`ve learned about the Panthers so far
The Panthers possess a strong `killer instinct,` demonstrating impressive adaptability to exploit opponent weaknesses without compromising their own strengths. Their depth is a key asset, with 17 different goal scorers this postseason, including defensemen contributing significantly (11 goals from seven blueliners). Offensively, they rank fourth (3.75 goals per game), but their defensive play and penalty kill have also been exceptional, ranking second overall in goals against (2.42 per game), second in shots against (23.8 per game), and second on the penalty kill (89.5%). This balanced approach makes them very difficult to play against.
X factor for the Conference Finals
While depth has carried them, Florida`s top offensive stars were relatively quiet against Toronto. Key players like Matthew Tkachuk (zero goals), Aleksander Barkov (two goals), and Sam Reinhart (four goals on 41 shots) need to elevate their scoring. Facing Carolina`s suffocating defense will make space hard to find, but Florida has elite offensive talent that needs to make its mark. They excel at getting traffic to the net and creating shooting lanes; capitalizing on these opportunities against Andersen will be critical, requiring their star players to provide significant contributions.
Will Florida have to beat Carolina at its own game?
This series pits two teams with remarkably similar strengths, particularly defensively (ranking 1st and 2nd in most categories) and on special teams. Florida has a slight edge offensively, but Carolina has proven capable of timely scoring. The Panthers` ability to adapt will be essential. The memory of sweeping Carolina in 2023 is fresh for both teams. Florida needs to leverage their experience and tactical flexibility to dismantle a Hurricanes team that has looked dominant so far. Cracking the code against an opponent mirroring their own strengths will be the ultimate test.
