Overview

• The Winnipeg Jets secured the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top overall seed, while the Washington Capitals lead the Eastern Conference after Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking season.
• The first-round matchups include notable rivalries such as the 'Battle of Florida' (Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers) and the 'Battle of Ontario' (Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators).
• The NHL has announced opening night games: Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues at 6:00 PM ET and Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche at 8:30 PM ET on April 19.
• The Florida Panthers enter the playoffs as defending Stanley Cup champions, while the Colorado Avalanche and Panthers are narrow betting favorites to win this year's championship.
• The playoff format follows a division-based bracket with a 2-2-1-1-1 home-ice structure, and the tournament is expected to deliver intense matchups and potential upsets across the board.