Stanley Cup Playoffs: Conference Finals Predictions Heat Up

New York, NY — The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have reached their conference finals, featuring the Florida Panthers against the Carolina Hurricanes in the East, and the Dallas Stars facing the Edmonton Oilers in the West. With a chance for the ultimate prize on the line, teams are gearing up for intense matchups this week.

The Panthers, the defending champions, made a strong comeback to eliminate the Toronto Maple Leafs in the last round after falling into a 2-0 series deficit. They will now meet the Hurricanes, who have advanced following a five-game victory over the New York Islanders.

“The Panthers are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with,” said analyst Kevin Weekes. “Their offensive depth has been impressive this postseason, particularly with the addition of key players.”

In addition, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky’s performance has been stellar, boasting a .956 save percentage against unblocked shots.

The Eastern Conference final is expected to be a rematch of 2023’s finals, which Florida swept. Many predict that the Panthers will emerge victorious again, with 19 of 24 ESPN experts favoring Florida to win the series. Predicted outcomes vary, with some experts suggesting the Panthers could win in six or seven games.

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers prepare to battle again after facing off in last year’s finals. Both teams showed resilience in previous rounds, but analysts have weighed in on their expectations for this series.

“It’s a very close matchup,” said analyst Blake Bolden. “Both teams are battle-tested, but the Stars might have the advantage in goaltending.” Jake Oettinger, who has performed well this postseason, has been deemed a significant factor for Dallas.

Voting among experts leans toward the Stars, with 17 of 24 picks favoring Dallas to win the series, suggesting a potential seven-game battle. Predictions include both teams leveraging their impressive depth and star players to claim victory.

The first game of the Eastern Conference final will take place on May 21, followed by the Western Conference final on May 22. As the Stanley Cup Playoffs progress, fans and analysts alike are eager to see which teams will advance to the finals.