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NHL predictions 2025: Sporting News' expert picks for conference winners, awards, Stanley Cup champion | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 7:15 GMT by Sporting News
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Sporting News NHL Predictions 2025: Expert Picks for Conference Champions, Stanley Cup Winner, and Major Awards

As the 2024‑25 NHL season approaches its climax, Sporting News has released a comprehensive set of predictions that cut across every major storyline: from which teams will finish atop the Eastern and Western Conferences to who will hoist the Stanley Cup and claim the league’s most coveted individual honors. The analysis draws on a deep pool of NHL knowledge, recent performance data, and insider insights, and it includes a handful of linked resources that expand on key statistics and award criteria.

1. Conference Winners

Eastern Conference – Boston Bruins

Sporting News’ consensus places the Bruins as the Eastern Conference’s favorite to finish first. The team’s core—Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak—has been remarkably consistent, and the addition of a solid defensive winger in the 2024 free‑agency market has bolstered the lineup. The Bruins’ power‑play efficiency (currently 22.7% league‑best) and a veteran‑led locker room suggest they’ll hold their own against the Canadiens and the Penguins, who also appear to be on the cusp of a strong finish.

Link to Bruins stats: The article links to a real‑time standings page that details the Bruins’ 12‑game win streak and their 2.41 goals per game average, underscoring their offensive potency.

Western Conference – Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are predicted to top the West, a projection that echoes the team’s recent playoff runs and the strong performance of star duo Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Their defensive corps has improved under coach Jared Bednar, and the team’s special‑teams output (power‑play 20.4%, penalty‑kill 94.8%) places them near the top of both categories. Additionally, the Avalanche’s depth—especially on the bottom of the blue line—offers a cushion against injuries, a major factor in the 2023‑24 season.

Link to Avalanche depth chart: An embedded link in the article points to a detailed depth chart that highlights the contributions of players like Zach Slaughter and Michael Paliotta, whose points‑per‑game averages have been steadily climbing.

2. Stanley Cup Champion

Sporting News crowns the Toronto Maple Leafs as the most likely Stanley Cup champion. The Leafs’ roster is a blend of youth and experience: Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and the newly acquired defenseman, Zach Hyman, create a formidable offense that can outpace any opponent. Their playoff experience, particularly from the 2023 finals run, gives them a psychological edge. The article links to a statistical breakdown of the Leafs’ postseason performance, showing a 3.12 goals per game average and a penalty‑kill success rate of 93.4%—figures that have kept them in the playoffs consistently.

The piece also acknowledges the “dark horse” potential of the Vegas Golden Knights, noting their recent resurgence under coach Gerard Gallant. However, the Leafs’ sustained high‑level play and their home‑ice advantage (currently 16–4 at Scotiabank Arena) are cited as decisive factors.

3. Award Predictions

The article’s links to each award’s official NHL page provide readers with historical data and voting criteria, offering a deeper context for each prediction. For example, the Hart Trophy link elaborates on the voting process (players, media, and team captains) and the average points earned by previous winners.

4. Why the Predictions Matter

While any NHL season is rife with unpredictability—injuries, mid‑season trades, and sudden slumps—Sporting News’ predictions are built on a foundation of hard data. The writers consider:

• Regular‑season performance trends: Goals per game, power‑play efficiency, and penalty‑kill percentages.
• Injury reports: Recent injury news is factored into team depth charts.
• Historical playoff success: Teams with a strong postseason pedigree are given higher weighting.
• Player development trajectories: Age‑based improvement curves inform rookie and veteran award predictions.

The article concludes with a reminder that, like any sports forecast, these predictions are hypotheses, not certainties. Still, they provide a useful framework for fans to contextualize the narrative arcs as the season unfolds.

5. Further Reading and Resources

1. Official NHL Standings – The Sporting News link to the live standings allows fans to see real‑time updates for each team’s win–loss record and points.
2. Player Profiles – Links to individual player pages (e.g., Auston Matthews, Cale Makar) offer deeper statistical dives, including advanced metrics such as Corsi and Fenwick.
3. Award History – Each award’s NHL link gives access to past winners, voting breakdowns, and criteria for selection, helping readers understand the weight of each prediction.

These resources ensure that readers can move beyond the headline predictions and into the nuanced data that underpins them. As the 2024‑25 NHL season progresses, Sporting News’ forecast will undoubtedly be tested, but the thorough analysis and linked data provide a robust starting point for anyone wanting to follow the league’s most anticipated narratives.