Updated 2025 NHL Playoff Picture, Bracket, Matchups After Devils Clinch Spot

Another team punched its ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday as the NHL regular seasons nears its end.

The New Jersey Devils were idle on Wednesday, but earned a playoff berth thanks to the Philadelphia Flyers win over the New York Rangers.

With one more team playoff bound, here's a look at the current playoff matchups.

Current Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators

A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers

M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens

M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Minnesota Wild

C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche

P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs WC1 St. Louis Blues

P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

Not only did the Devils clinch a playoff spot, but the first round meeting between them and the Carolina Hurricanes is now the first playoff matchup to be locked in.

The playoff berth for New Jersey is just its third in the last four seasons. The Devils missed the postseason last year after reaching the second round in 2023. They're hoping to make their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2012 when they lost to the Los Angeles Kings.

While the Devils aren't heading into the postseason as a top contender, they've made plenty of strides since last season when they finished the year 38-39. The biggest addition this offseason was hiring new coach Sheldon Keefe.

New Jersey also loaded up with key pieces like goalie Jacob Markstrom, defensemen Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon and Jonathan Kovacevic, and forwards Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter.

Whether Keefe will be able to lead his squad to a deep playoff run in Year 1 remains to be seen, but he at least managed to get the Devils back to the postseason.