Playoff-Proven: Why the NHL’s Final Four Keeps Coming Back
The 2025 NHL Playoffs have delivered everything fans could hope for — breakout performances, shocking upsets, and, as always, a dose of heartbreak. Now, only four teams remain, and they’re a familiar group that has once again earned their place in the Conference Finals. In the West, the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers will meet in a rematch of last year’s showdown, with both teams chasing redemption and unfinished business. In the East, the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, return to the Conference Finals for a third straight year after eliminating the Toronto Maple Leafs. They’ll face the Carolina Hurricanes, who also find themselves back in the final four for the third consecutive season. All four teams have become postseason regulars — battle-tested, resilient, and built for high-stakes hockey. With a combined wealth of experience and just eight wins separating each team from a Stanley Cup, this year’s final four is set to deliver one of the most competitive and compelling matchups in recent memory. These teams aren’t here by accident — they’ve spent years building a foundation of resilience, depth, and consistency. That’s what makes them truly playoff-proven.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are consistently one of the most overlooked teams in the NHL. They’ve played just 10 games this postseason, dispatching New Jersey in the First Round and smothering the Washington Capitals in the Second Round. Carolina has allowed the fewest goals per game in the playoffs, thanks largely to Frederik Andersen’s elite goaltending. In addition, their penalty kill sits at a staggering 93.3 percent. Offensively, their top line of Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, and Seth Jarvis averages three goals per game. Svechnikov, who missed the 2023 series against Florida due to injury, has already tallied eight goals this postseason. What makes this Hurricanes team stand out is their lack of a traditional “superstar” — no Alexander Ovechkin, no Nathan MacKinnon — which fuels their underdog mentality. As head coach Rod Brind’Amour put it, “We have a little different mix... we think we do have that kind of players — they just do it a little differently.” Right now, that difference is exactly what’s getting results.
Florida Panthers
Like true predators, the Florida Panthers embody killer instinct. Their ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses, adapt quickly, and maintain consistent strength throughout games is what sets them apart. One of Florida’s most important assets is its depth — they’ve had 17 different players score in the postseason, including seven defensemen who have combined for 11 points. Defensively, they’re just as dominant, allowing only two goals and 23.8 shots against per game. Their penalty kill ranks second among all playoff teams. The bottom line is that the Panthers are built on resilience, experience, and sustained success over the past few seasons. Whether leading by a few or playing from behind, they remain poised, composed, and dangerous. This is a team built for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have combined for 33 points this postseason and are set to play in their 86th career playoff game. 14 members of the current Oilers roster skated in the Stanley Cup Final just 11 months ago. Edmonton enters this series having won eight of their last nine games, and while their numbers look different this year, they’re trending in the right direction — stronger and more balanced. There’s long been a perception that the Oilers are carried solely by McDavid and Draisaitl. While their greatness is undeniable, this postseason has proven Edmonton’s depth. 13 different players have scored goals, and all 12 forwards have contributed on the scoresheet.
This is a team with undeniable chemistry, offensive depth, and defensive cohesion. What sets them apart from the other teams is the experience of losing a Game Seven in the Stanley Cup Final. No other team left in the playoffs has been that close without winning. That kind of heartbreak can’t be replicated — it creates hunger. 14 players on this roster know what it feels like to walk away empty-handed, just one win shy of glory. That pain now fuels their drive. It’s not just about chasing a championship — it’s about finishing what they started.
Dallas Stars
Aside from Jake Oettinger, no goaltender in the 2025 NHL Playoffs has faced more shots, made more saves, or logged more minutes. His consistency has anchored the Dallas Stars and served as a driving force behind their postseason success. The midseason acquisition of Mikko Rantanen has also proven to be a game-changing decision. Rantanen has been a leader in both production and offensive momentum, playing a key role in the Stars’ sustained playoff success. Dallas has shown impressive adaptability, especially in the first round when they faced doubts about getting past Colorado without two of their top players, Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson, due to injury. Yet, they responded with resilience. Now, the Stars are prepared for another showdown with Edmonton.“We’ve got a lot left,” said head coach Peter DeBoer. “I think we’ve got something special going on. We’re going to have to prove it again. We’ve been to this spot the last two years and haven’t taken the next step, so that’s the challenge.”
Each of these four teams has earned its place not just through talent, but through years of playoff battles. They’ve faced heartbreak, found answers, and returned stronger. Whether it’s Florida’s championship pedigree, Edmonton’s hunger after falling just short, Carolina’s quiet consistency, or Dallas’ adaptability and depth, they’re all here because they’ve been here before. In a league where parity reigns, these teams prove that playoff success is no accident. It’s earned, year after year.
