ESPN.com · Apr 23, 2025
2025 Stanley Cup playoffs: Early Round 1 takeaways
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The first 13 games of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are in the books -- thanks for finally joining the party, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning -- so each team has had a chance to show the new postseason version of itself.
Which teams and players made the best early impression? Who has room for improvement? How will all of it matter when it comes to the rest of Round 1 and the entire postseason?
ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski identified their top takeaways off of the first set of games, covering all eight series.
Read more:
Full schedule
Intel on all 16 teams
Top 50 players
Wyshynski's bracket
Contender flaws