Kuemper finished those playoffs with a .902 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average. The numbers were good enough to get the job done with the Avalanche, but the Kings might need a bit better goaltending to win this series. Kuemper has the potential to do that, but it won't be easy against the Oilers' offense.

The Stanley Cup has been won by an 8-seed in the past. Top teams go out in the first round all the time. Even those who don’t love hockey have a hard time avoiding the NHL Playoffs, which is non-stop intensity for almost two months.

The first-round matchups are set for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and 16 teams will begin their journey toward hockey's ultimate prize. Only eight of them will make it past this first round, and we're here making picks for which teams will stay alive to fight another round.