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.

History was made in the NHL this season, but not the kind that its most storied U.S. franchises wanted. The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs mark the first time that the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers have all missed the cut in the same postseason:

EDGE stats: Dubois ranks highly at his position in high-danger shots on goal (68; 92nd percentile), top shot speed (92.81 mph; 91st percentile) and even-strength skating distance (198.55 miles; 89th percentile). -- Perlowitz