It’s Round 2 of the 2025 NHL Fearless Playoff Predictions with NHL Network Radio

Well, that was fun. 

After slogging through six long months of the 2024-25 NHL regular season and the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, eight clubs have earned the privilege to play for an extra two weeks before hitting the links.  The crazy comeback by the Oilers, the Battleship back-and-forth between the Avalanche and Stars, Florida taking down Tampa, Ovie scoring goals and leading the Capitals to a second-round showdown with the Hurricanes, Vegas overcoming Minnesota, Toronto beating Ottawa yet again, and the double OT win by the Jets, after tying game seven very, very late in the 3^rd.

And now things only get more challenging, as the remaining eight teams all believe they have what it takes to go all the way.

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A reminder of how long it’s been since the last time the remaining 8 NHL playoff teams hoisted the Stanley Cup:

Florida Panthers                    2024
Vegas Golden Knights           2023
Washington Capitals             2018
Carolina Hurricanes               2006
Dallas Stars                            1999
Edmonton Oilers                   1990
Toronto Maple Leafs             1967
Winnipeg Jets                        never*
*have yet to participate in a Stanley Cup Final

Keep in mind this is not a bracket challenge.  We will submit our predictions round-by-round.  Tune in to “Under Review” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio Channel 91, every weekday at 11 am Eastern/8 am Pacific, for the latest Fearless Playoff Predictions updates.

ALL-TIME FEARLESS PLAYOFF PREDICTION CHAMPIONS
2024 Champion – Shane Malloy
2023 Champion – Dennis Bernstein (2)
2022 Champion – Steve Kouleas
2021 Champion – Bruce Bolton (2)
2020 Champion – Dennis Bernstein
2019 Champion – Jim Gordon
2018 Champion – Joe Thistel (3)
2017 Champion – Peter Berce (2)
2016 Champion – Mike Lippa
2015 Champions – Peter Berce & Nick Alberga
2014 Champion – Joe Thistel (2)
2013 Champion – Bruce Bolton
2012 Champion – Mick Kern (4)
2011 Champion – Joe Thistel
2010 Champions – Scott Laughlin (2) & Shawn Lavigne
2009 Champions – Scott Laughlin & Mick Kern (3)
2008 Champion – Mick Kern (2)
2007 Champions – Mike Ross & Mick Kern

46 points is the maximum number of points one can achieve. Mike Lippa set the record with 36 points back in 2016.  Steve Kouleas went 15-for-16 for series correctly chosen back in 2022.

• 1 point for correctly choosing the winner of each 1^st round series
• 2 points for correctly choosing the winner of each 2^nd round series
• 2 points for correctly choosing the winner of each 3^rd round series
• 3 points for correctly choosing the 2024 Stanley Cup winner
• 2 points for correctly choosing the 2024 Conn Smythe winner
• 1 point for correctly choosing how long a series goes, but only if one also correctly picks that series’ winning team
• 3 points for correctly choosing the 2024 Stanley Cup winner before the playoffs begin (no points for choosing the other finalist)
• 3 points for correctly choosing the 2024 Conn Smythe winner before the playoffs begin

Standings After the First Round

Bruce Bolton 9 points (6 for 8 series picked correctly)
Scott Laughlin 9 points (5/8)
Mick Kern 9 points (5/8)
Steve Kouleas 8 points (6/8)
Jim Gordon 8 points (6/8)

Gord Stellick 8 points (5 for 8)
Shane Malloy 8 points (5/8)
Lucas Critelli 8 points (5/8)
Victoria Matiash 7 points (5/8)
Anthony Stewart 7 points (5/8)
Dave McCarthy 7 points (5/8)
Tyler Madarasz 7 points (5/8)
Ryan Paton 7 points (4/8)
Bernie Corbett 6 points (5/8)
Martin Biron 6 points (5/8)
Jake Hahn 6 points (5/8)
Russ Cohen 6 points (4/8)
Joe Thistel 6 points (4/8)
Dennis Bernstein 6 points (4/8)
Peter Berce 5 points (5/8)
Jonathan Davis 5 points (3/8)
Mikey Bonora 4 points (3/8)

Our 2025 Fearless Second Round Predictions:

Bruce Bolton – 9 points
Toronto in 6
Washington in 6
Winnipeg in 6
Edmonton in 7

Scott Laughlin – 9 points
Florida in 6
Washington in 6
Dallas in 5
Vegas in 6

Mick Kern – 9 points
Florida in 7
Carolina in 7
Dallas in 7
Vegas in 6

Steve Kouleas – 8 points
Florida in 6
Washington in 6
Dallas in 6
Vegas in 6

Jim Gordon – 8 points
Toronto in 7
Washington in 7
Dallas in 7
Vegas in 7

Gord Stellick – 8 points
Toronto in 6
Washington in 6
Winnipeg in 7
Edmonton in 6

Shane Malloy – 8 points
Florida in 6
Washington in 6
Winnipeg in 7
Vegas in 6

Lucas Critelli – 8 points
Florida in 6
Washington in 7
Dallas in 6
Vegas in 6

Victoria Matiash – 7 points
Florida in 6
Carolina in 6
Winnipeg in 7
Vegas in 6

Anthony Stewart – 7 points
Toronto in 7
Washington in 7
Winnipeg in 7
Edmonton in 6

Dave McCarthy – 7 points
Florida in 7
Carolina in 7
Dallas in 5
Vegas in 6

Tyler Madarasz – 7 points
Toronto in 6
Washington in 6
Dallas in 6
Vegas in 7

Ryan Paton – 7 points
Toronto in 6
Washington in 6
Dallas in 6
Vegas in 6

Bernie Corbett – 6 points
Florida in 6
Washington in 7
Dallas in 6
Vegas in 7

Martin Biron – 6  points
Florida in 6
Carolina in 6
Dallas in 6
Vegas in 6

Jake Hahn – 6 points
Florida in 6
Washington in 6
Winnipeg in 7
Vegas in 7

Russ Cohen – 6 points
Florida in 7
Washington in 6
Winnipeg in 7
Edmonton in 6

Joe Thistel – 6 points
Florida in 6
Washington in 7
Winnipeg in 6
Edmonton in 7

Dennis Bernstein – 6 points
Florida in 6
Carolina in 6
Dallas in 6
Vegas in 6

Peter Berce – 5 points
Florida in 6
Washington in 7
Winnipeg in 7
Vegas in 7

Jonathan Davis- 5 points
Florida in 5
Carolina in 7
Dallas in 6
Vegas in 6

Mikey Bonora – 4 points
Florida in 6
Carolina in 6
Dallas in 7
Vegas in 6