The 2025 NHL playoffs are nearing their conclusion, with the Edmonton Oilers set to face the Florida Panthers once again in the Stanley Cup Final. Florida claimed the championship last year by winning a decisive Game 7 against Edmonton. Ahead of the final matchup, attention turns to some of the most notable underperformances, including Auston Matthews’ disappointing 2025 NHL playoffs performance, which significantly impacted the Toronto Maple Leafs’ early exit.

Underwhelming Showings from Key NHL Stars in the 2025 Postseason

Auston Matthews, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, started the 2025 season as one of the most anticipated players, with Toronto being a favorite to compete for the Stanley Cup. Despite the high hopes, Matthews was largely invisible throughout the playoffs, and Toronto suffered a second-round elimination by the Florida Panthers. The Maple Leafs were decisively beaten 6-1 at home in both Games 5 and 7, signaling a swift end to their playoff run.

In 13 postseason games, Matthews managed only three goals, falling far short of expectations for one of the league’s premier goal scorers. His lack of production severely hindered Toronto’s offensive efforts and contributed to their inability to advance further.

Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, widely regarded as one of the NHL’s top goalies, also faced significant struggles. The Tampa Bay Lightning, despite having home ice advantage in the first round against Florida, were eliminated in just five games. Vasilevskiy posted a 3.27 goals-against average (GAA) and a save percentage of .872, showing vulnerability that Tampa Bay could not overcome. His performance in net was a major factor in the Lightning’s early exit.

Jamie Benn, a veteran leader for the Dallas Stars, similarly failed to deliver in the postseason. After tallying 49 points during the regular season, Benn’s offense dried up significantly. Over 18 playoff games, he scored one goal and assisted on two others, finishing with a minus-11 rating. Dallas needed stronger efforts from its captain to contend for the Stanley Cup, but Benn did not meet those demands.

Limited Impact from Other Expected Contributors

Jesperi Kotkaniemi was another disappointment during the playoffs. Signed by the Carolina Hurricanes to a $4.82 million deal with five years remaining, Kotkaniemi was expected to play a top-six forward role. Instead, he struggled to generate offense, contributing four assists but no goals across 13 playoff games. His difficulties resulted in being a healthy scratch during the Conference Finals, underlining his underwhelming impact.

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, known for his offensive contributions from the blue line, also had a frustrating postseason. Over two playoff rounds, Carlson recorded just a single secondary assist at even strength. Furthermore, he faced defensive challenges; according to The Athletic, he ranked highest in expected goals against per 60 minutes among defensemen who logged at least 100 minutes. This defensive weakness compounded his limited offensive output.

Implications of These Playoff Disappointments

The surprising underperformance of several star players, led by Auston Matthews’ disappointing 2025 NHL playoffs performance, had significant ramifications on their teams’ playoff aspirations. The early exits of the Maple Leafs, Lightning, and other contenders shift focus onto consistency and clutch performance in postseason play. As the Stanley Cup Final decider approaches, these struggles serve as reminders that regular-season success can quickly be negated by playoff shortcomings. The upcoming contest between Edmonton and Florida offers a contrasting example of resilience and execution—factors that ultimately determine who hoists the Stanley Cup.