Nikolaj Ehlers fights Sam Steel (Julio Cortez, Associated Press) As the days grow longer and longer, the hockey only becomes more meaningful. The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are around the corner, as 16 teams will be pitted against the field with a chance at hockey's greatest chalice, Lord Stanley's mug, on the line. As one may expect from a narrative-driven sport such as hockey, the storylines are plentiful. While we all adore the frenzy of regular season hockey, the postseason brings action in spades, a veritable cheat code for adrenaline junkies. In this article, I will be diving into each of the eight first-round matchups, pointing out the most relevant tactical nuances, and outlining the specific elements to watch during your viewing experience through my usual mix of obsessiveness with Canada's sport and eloquent writing abilities (never said I was humble). A quick disclaimer: a vast majority of the words in this article are dedi...