NHL playoffs 2025: This is how the Austrians fare in the race!

NHL playoffs 2025: This is how the Austrians fare in the race!

The NHL regular season ended on Friday, April 18, 2025, and the Stanley Cup playoffs are just around the corner. The first games of the playoff round begin on Saturday. The focus is on the performances of various teams, especially the Austrian players in the league.

The Minnesota Wild qualified for the playoffs with a dramatic 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars. Marco Rossi was crucial as he scored the winning goal less than a minute into extra time, sealing the game for his team. His performance was particularly notable because it was part of a comeback after the Wild traditionally had to make up a six-point deficit in the final wild-card positions in the Western Conference this season.

Teams' playoff prospects

The Minnesota Wild will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs and are considered underdogs. However, they have stabilized with the return of key players such as Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov. In addition, Matt Boldy scored the equalizer shortly before the end against the Anaheim Ducks, which secured the playoffs. Rossi, who hasn't missed a game in the last two seasons and has increased his scoring output from 21 to 24 goals, could play a key role while he has to make do with less ice time.

In the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens also celebrated their entry into the playoffs. They secured their first playoff participation since 2021 with a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes and will now face the Washington Capitals. However, David Reinbacher, who recently recovered from a knee injury, will not be able to play. The Laval Rockets, the Canadiens' AHL team, are also first in the Eastern Conference and have a chance of a longer playoff run.

Difficult seasons for other teams

The Detroit Red Wings, on the other hand, missed the playoffs for the ninth time in a row. General Manager Steve Yzerman continues to pursue what he calls the “Yzer Plan” to revitalize the team. However, recent additions such as Vladimir Tarasenko and Erik Gustafsson have disappointed. Young players such as Marco Kasper and Simon Edvinsson have established themselves remarkably in the team, while Kasper could potentially take part in the World Cup for Austria.

In summary, the upcoming playoffs promise exciting stories, especially for the Austrian players and their teams. Teams like the Wild and Canadiens are showing they're ready to do big things in this season's crucial stretch, while others like the Red Wings are still waiting for their turnaround.

More information and highlights from the NHL playoffs are available here Yahoo Sports to find.

Source: Laola1, Yardbarker.