The NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are less than a week old, but five teams are already in a 2-0 series deficit in their first-round matchup.
Which teams have a chance of coming back and winning their series? Let’s look at the five teams in a hole and examine whether they looked good enough to come back.
Edmonton Oilers
Can They Come Back? No
Why? The Oilers’ offense hasn’t been terrible, as they’ve posted seven goals in two games in the Battle of CalBerta (thanks to entertainment publicist extraordinaire Matt Labov for that colorful label).
The problem for Edmonton is its porous defense, which has allowed 12 goals to the Kings – the most goals against of any team through two games.
Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner has been as ineffective as Edmonton fans have feared, getting pulled in Game 2. But backup Calvin Pickard is no savior, and without injured top defenseman Mattias Ekholm, the Oilers just don’t have the horses to contain Los Angeles’ well-balanced offensive attack.
Edmonton superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only do so much, and while the dynamic duo has produced seven points in two games, it’s not going to be enough to fend off the Kings. Sorry, Oilers fans, but a first-round exit is probably happening here.
Montreal Canadiens
Can They Come Back? Yes
Why? The Canadiens weren’t overwhelmed by Washington through two games, losing 3-2 in overtime in Game 1, then falling 3-1 to the Capitals in Game 2.
Montreal’s offense is problematic, but on the bright side, the Habs limited the Capitals to five goals in regulation time – and one goal was an empty-netter. One bounce in their favor, and the Canadiens could have evened up this series at one game apiece.
Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault was well above-average in two games, putting up a .921 SP and 2.49 GAA. But his counterpart, Logan Thompson, has been even better, with a 1.47 GAA and a .951 SP for the Caps. That said, if the Canadiens can poke holes in Thompson’s game, they could win Games 3 and 4 in Montreal and push this series to at least six games. From there, the Habs could pull off an upset and get to the second round.
New Jersey Devils
Can They Come Back? No
Why? The Devils were outplayed in Game 1, losing to the Hurricanes 4-1. Carolina built a 3-0 lead in Game 1 and was never threatened by New Jersey. In Game 2, the final score of 3-1 for Carolina might cause some to believe the game was more competitive for the Devils.
The big picture tells a different tale, as the Hurricanes kept the Devils off the scoresheet for the final 56 minutes in Game 2, and New Jersey’s offense was a complete non-factor after an early goal.
The Hurricanes are too fast and deep for the Devils. Although Carolina’s regular-season road record of 16-21-4 suggests New Jersey could win a game at home, the Devils’ home record of 19-17-5 suggests they won’t thrive in their rink. Barring a miracle, the Devils are going home soon.
Ottawa Senators
Can They Come Back? No
Why? At times in Games 1 and 2, the Maple Leafs stopped skating and were outplayed by the Senators, but they found a way to beat Ottawa and retain home-ice advantage. That has to be discouraging for the Senators, which swept the Leafs in their regular-season series.
Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz’s .934 SP and 1.95 GAA are far superior to Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark’s 4.39 GAA and .800 SP through two games.
Toronto’s defense corps has also been extremely effective in a way that the Senators’ defense corps has not. So long as the Maple Leafs stay healthy, the Sens are going to be on their heels – and, soon enough, Toronto will be heading into the second round.
St. Louis Blues
Can They Come Back? Yes
Why? The Blues lost Game 1 by a 5-3 score, but that game was tied 3-3 until the 18:24 mark of the third period. St. Louis lost Game 2 by a 2-1 margin, but the game was tied 1-1 until the Jets got the game-winner at the 1:43 mark of the third frame. So, this series is closer than it first appears.
Superstar Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has a combined .897 SP after two games, hardly the stuff of legends – so the Blues have an opportunity to cut into the Jets’ series lead and extend the series to at least a fifth game.
Given Winnipeg’s underwhelming performances in previous post-seasons, there will be pressure on the Jets if St. Louis wins the next game or two. And if the Blues do figure out how to exploit Winnipeg’s weaknesses, there’s every chance St. Louis can defy the odds and upset the Jets.
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