The Vegas Golden Knights showed a lack of killer instinct in their Game 1 against the Minnesota Wild, allowing a near comeback despite a strong overall performance.

The Colorado Avalanche are also concerned about their defensive depth, particularly with a noticeable decline in performance from their secondary defenders.

The Florida Panthers, despite a rough entry into the playoffs, may find a boost with the return of Matthew Tkachuk.

Lastly, the Tampa Bay Lightning's inconsistency poses a significant hurdle as they aim to compete effectively against the Panthers.

As the 2025 NHL Playoffs unfold, teams are grappling with significant flaws that could be exploited by their opponents.

Similarly, the Carolina Hurricanes face challenges with inconsistent goaltending, raising doubts about their ability to progress further.

In the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets are hindered by scoring depth issues due to key injuries, while the St. Louis Blues rely heavily on their star players.

The Dallas Stars are at a disadvantage against the Avalanche, struggling with injuries to pivotal players Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen.

In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs are under psychological pressure due to their historical playoff drought and the looming free agency of star Mitch Marner.

The Ottawa Senators risk letting emotions dictate their play, which could lead to penalties and provide the Leafs with a power play advantage.

The Edmonton Oilers' chances of advancing are jeopardized by defensive and goaltending issues, worsened by injuries, despite their potent offense.

The Montreal Canadiens, while inexperienced, bring a youthful energy that could challenge the favored Washington Capitals, who are feeling the pressure as the top team in the conference.