Stanley Cup Playoffs 2025: Sunday Game 1s Preview and Reactions
As the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs heat up, hockey fans are in for a treat this Sunday with three thrilling Game 1 matchups. After an exciting two-game opening night, the action continues with the New Jersey Devils facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Ottawa Senators taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Minnesota Wild clashing with the Vegas Golden Knights. Let’s dive into the details of these matchups and see which teams might gain the early edge in their series.
Sunday’s Game 1 Matchups
- New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes (3 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Minnesota Wild vs. Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Each of these matchups brings its own set of storylines and key players to watch. Let’s break down what to expect from each game.
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
The Devils and Hurricanes split their regular-season series with two wins each. However, all four games were played before Devils star Jack Hughes suffered a season-ending injury. The Hurricanes’ offensive leader, Sebastian Aho, tallied 29 goals and 45 assists this season, while the Devils’ top scorer, Jesper Bratt, recorded 21 goals and 67 assists. The last time these two teams met in the postseason was in 2023, with the Hurricanes emerging victorious in a 4-1 series win.
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
The Battle of Ontario is set to ignite as the Senators make their first playoff appearance since 2017. This marks the first postseason for Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are entering their ninth consecutive playoff appearance, but with only one series win to show for it. Toronto’s scoring has often faltered in past postseasons, so leading scorer Mitch Marner (27 goals, 75 assists) and his teammates will be eager to change that narrative. Despite being the favorites, Toronto lost all three regular-season games against Ottawa.
Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights
The nightcap features the wild-card Wild against the formidable Golden Knights. Minnesota’s newly signed defenseman Zeev Buium, fresh from the NCAA Frozen Four final, is a player to watch. The Golden Knights, led by center Jack Eichel, who received Hart Trophy votes, are a force to be reckoned with. Vegas dominated the regular-season series against Minnesota, winning all three games with a combined score of 12-4.
Saturday’s Highlights and Stars
Before we look ahead to Sunday’s games, let’s recap the action from Saturday. The Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche both secured victories in their respective Game 1 matchups.
- Winnipeg Jets 5, St. Louis Blues 3 – Jets lead series 1-0
- Colorado Avalanche 5, Dallas Stars 2 – Avs lead series 1-0
In the Jets’ victory, Kyle Connor shone with a goal and two assists, while Mark Scheifele contributed three points. The Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon was a standout performer, scoring three points, including the game-winning goal.
Arda’s Three Stars of Saturday
- Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets
- Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
- Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg Jets
With the stage set for Sunday’s games, fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. Will the Devils, Senators, or Wild pull off an upset, or will the Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, and Golden Knights assert their dominance? Stay tuned for all the action and drama that the NHL playoffs have to offer.
Originally Written by: ESPN staff
