My 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff First Round Predictions

 Now that the Sharks' and NHL regular seasons are complete, and the playoff matchups are set, it's time to give my annual playoff series predictions! Although the Sharks have not been in it for the past five years, the Stanley Cup Playoffs provide some of the most exciting and entertaining games in all of sports, and I follow them pretty closely whether my team is in them or not. My predictions series begins with the first round matchups, many of which I am definitely looking forward to tuning into. Each matchup listed here will be followed by my actual prediction and who I want to win. Without further ado, presenting my 2025 Stanley Cup First Round Predictions: 

St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets 

Prediction: Jets in 7

Who I Want to Win: Jets 

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche 

Prediction: Avalanche in 7 

Who I Want to Win: Avalanche 

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild 

Prediction: Golden Knights in 6 

Who I Want to Win: Wild at all costs 

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers 

Prediction: Kings in 6 

Who I Want to Win: No one in particular, I will be happy as long as neither the Kings or Oilers go on deep runs and win the Cup

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens 

Prediction: Capitals in 5 

Who I Want to Win: Capitals 

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils 

Prediction: Hurricanes in 5 

Who I Want to Win: Hurricanes 

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

Prediction: Maple Leafs in 6 

Who I Want to Win: Maple Leafs 

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 

Prediction: Lightning in 7 

Who I Want to Win: Lightning 

In other news, the Sharks announced that they signed 2024 second-rounder Leo Sahlin Wallenius to a standard, entry-level contract. This past season, Sahlin Wallenuis compiled five points (one goal, four assists) in 16 games with the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League, six points (one goal, five assists) in 14 games with the Nybro Vikings of HockeyAllsvenskan, and three points (one goal, two assists) in seven games with TPS of the Finnish Liiga. He will likely begin next season with the Barracuda at the AHL level. In addition, it has been confirmed that Macklin Celebrini will be suiting up for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships next month. It will be great to see and hear about how Celebrini does in his first major tournament as an NHLer. 

Sources: Sharks + SAP Center App, Curtis Pashelka via X 

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My 9th NHL Game: Oilers 3, Sharks 0 (4/16/25)

 I attended the Sharks’ 2024-25 season finale against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night, and it was certainly more of a unique experience compared to some of the other NHL games I have previously attended. Let’s begin: 

Since it was the Sharks’ final game of the season, the team gave out free collectible card packs to everyone in attendance, which I definitely enjoyed adding to my hockey card collection. Once I entered the SAP Center, the first order of business per usual was to visit the team store to find more souvenirs, where I purchased a Macklin Celebrini acrylic display and a Sharks 2024-25 yearbook magazine. After the team store, while walking through the main concourse to determine what I wanted to eat at the game, I saw, met and took photos with SJ Sharkie for the second time ever, which was awesome since he is my favorite mascot in all of sports. 

Soon after, I headed towards the lower bowl to catch warmups, which remain one of my favorite aspects of hockey games besides the game itself. The Sharks’ 2024-25 season finale marked my first time seeing a Canadian-based team play in person, so the dual national anthem performance prior to first puck drop added to this experience being more unique than others. 

As for the game itself, the Sharks were shut out 3-0 by the Edmonton Oilers in their last game of the season to conclude 2024-25 on an 11-game losing streak. The Oilers scored in each period: former Shark Ty Emberson in the first, Max Jones in the second, and Corey Perry with an empty-netter in the third. It is also worth noting that Connor McDavid registered an assist on the first goal of the game by Emberson for his 100th point of the season and to cap off the eighth 100-point season of his career. 

During one of the first stoppages early in the opening period, the Sharks honored Logan Couture after he announced his retirement from professional hockey the day prior, which was great to see him acknowledged as one of the greatest to ever play in a Sharks uniform with fans giving him a standing ovation. He spent nearly all of the game in the suite in section 206 with his wife, then headed onto the ice near the player benches at the conclusion of the game to shake hands with the Oilers. 

Alexandar Georgiev made his final start in teal and performed well, compiling 25 saves on 27 shots against. The Sharks’ best chance of getting on the board came late in the third period on a shot by Noah Gregor that hit the post. Throughout this game, the Sharks announced team awards: Macklin Celebrini was named Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, Mario Ferraro was named Media Good Guy, and Sam Dickinson was named Prospect of the Year. During one shift in the second period, I was blown away seeing Connor McDavid flying from one end of the ice to the other with his incredible and absolutely unreal speed. 

Lastly, to acknowledge the conclusion of the season, some fans in attendance were selected to receive jerseys from the players, and some players tossed t-shirts into the crowd. I was not one of the fans who were selected to receive a player’s jersey, but it was great for the lucky bunch who did. The end result was not how I and most other fans in attendance wanted the Sharks’ season to end, but I am extremely grateful that I was able to attend four games this year and see this Sharks team be more competitive and make strides in their rebuild. In addition, it was fun watching the first-year additions of Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Tyler Toffoli inject more life into the Sharks all season long. 

I am also glad to have seen Connor McDavid, the Oilers, and a Canadian-based team play in person for the first time. The Sharks finished their 2024-25 campaign in last place with a 20-50-12 record and 52 points, most importantly an upgrade over last season. Their record now falls to 3-3-2 when I am at their games. Heading into a busy and pivotal offseason for Team Teal, they are guaranteed another top-three pick and potential star player in the draft. On top of that, they have a ton of cap space to work with, and I am absolutely looking forward to what Mike Grier and the Sharks front office have up their sleeves as they aim to take another leap towards playoff contention next season. 

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