ESPN.com · Apr 9, 2025
NHL Urgency Index: Who needs to win the Stanley Cup now?
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The 2024-25 NHL regular season has certainly been a journey, between the emergence of unexpected Stanley Cup and MVP contenders, an incredible 4 Nations Face-Off, blockbuster trades, big winning streaks and, most recently, Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for career NHL goals.
But we all know the real hockey season starts April 19 when the puck drops on the Stanley Cup playoffs. With it will come the intensity and rugged play that we've come to expect over the years as teams make their quest for the Cup.
Oh, and there will also be pressure. Lots and lots of pressure.