One first-round series for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs already is set, as the Carolina Hurricanes will meet the New Jersey Devils in a battle between Metropolitan Division rivals. Carolina entered Thursday with a seven-point lead for second place and home-ice advantage in the matchup.

Pucks will drop in less than two weeks to begin the NHL's postseason tournament and the amount of jockeying being done across the league is reflected in this week's B/R Power Rankings, with only a handful of teams making more than subtle moves.

The Stanley Cup playoffs has always been a tough road to navigate. What has changed repeatedly over the decades is the format that determines the NHL's postseason winner. Current