The same B/R hockey team did its April duty for 2025, too, crunching the numbers and assembling this year's morning-line list in descending order from the prohibitive to the probable, with a thought added in for anyone seeking wagering counsel.

Hockey fans, the most wonderful time of the year has arrived: the Stanley Cup playoffs. And the 2025 version might be as good as ever, with what looks like a wide-open race going into the postseason.

The Athletic's NHL staff picks first-round winners, dark horse, biggest disappointment, conference champs, Cup champ and Conn Smythe.