NHL playoff standings: Leafs-Avalanche a Cup Final preview?

ByESPN Staff

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 6:12PM

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs begin in late April, culminating with the Stanley Cup Final in June. Although the identity of the 16 playoff teams has yet to be determined, it's never too early to project dream Cup Final matchups.

Could one of those pairings be in preview mode Wednesday night?

The Colorado Avalanche -- who loaded up at the trade deadline with Brock Nelson, Ryan Lindgrenand Charlie Coyle -- will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs -- a team that added "playoff style" performers in Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton -- in one of two games on the schedule (7 p.m. ET, TNT).

To be clear, this would be a wildly divergent path for Toronto compared to recent seasons. A trip to the Cup Final would be the Leafs' first time there since 1967, when they last won the Cup. The Avs also won the Cup in their most recent trip to the Cup Final, though their championship was in 2022.

Our NHL insiders debated their Cup Final matchups this week, and the Avs made one ballot while the Leafs didn't make any.

As for the projections, Stathletes gives Colorado a 23.3% chance of making the Cup Final, which is highest among Western Conference teams; Toronto has 12.6% chances, which is fourth among Eastern contenders. This specific matchup has a 2.91% chance of occurring, which is 12th most likely -- Avs vs. Carolina Hurricanes is No. 1, at 6.32%.

There is a lot of runway left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

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