Math used to be done with pen and paper. Conversations used to be held in person. NFL mock drafts used to be done by people.

The digital age has given us everything and taken it all away at the same time in the name of convenience. People used to have conviction behind their thoughts, but now won’t hesitate to whip out a calculator or their favorite search engine to look up even the most simple of math problems or other general questions.

Get off my lawn.

Yet the computers are here to stay and the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is only just beginning. There is no telling where the unchecked world of AI takes us, but we’d be remiss to not at least have a little fun along the way.

Teams have run all kinds of simulations to examine every possible outcome at the 2025 NFL Draft. So what if a computer could predict what the Tennessee Titans would do at No. 1 and how that would impact the Cleveland Browns or the Super Bowl champion, Philadelphia Eagles?

That’s exactly what we set out to do thanks to Google’s Gemini, which predicted the first round of the draft for us, using all of its knowledge – or lack thereof, depending on the pick.

Here’s how Google’s Gemini forecasts the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

2025 NFL mock draft: First-round AI picks

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

Gemini isn’t taking the road less traveled with this pick, sticking with Ward at No. 1. It highlighted the shortcomings of Will Levis, while praising Ward’s strong arm, playmaking ability, athleticism, and extensive starting experience as reasons to select the quarterback. This pick feels like a certainty at this stage of the process and with the Miami signal caller being the best at the position, the Titans find an answer to a big question with this pick.

2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Hunter’s sheer talent was too much to pass up for the chatbot, his two-way ability and unique skillset made the Colorado star worthy of the pick. Like Ward, Hunter at No. 2 feels like a foregone conclusion at this stage, so there are no surprises to this point.

Interestingly enough, however, Gemini views Hunter as having more of an impact on offense as a receiver, which the team’s general manager, Andrew Berry, agrees with. The consensus to this point has been about Hunter’s impact as a cornerback, but he is adamant about playing both sides of the ball. A prospect like that doesn’t come around often and Cleveland lands a potential future star at No. 2.

3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Giants are in desperate need of a long-term answer at quarterback and Gemini is using that as the reason for picking Sanders at No. 3. It pointed out that making this selection was worth passing on other key needs given the importance of the quarterback spot. The Giants have done extensive work on Sanders during the draft process and are notably meeting with him again before the draft. Despite signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, ‘Big Blue’ is going for a big name by bringing Prime Time’s son to Broadway.

4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Adding some help on the offensive line for Drake Maye has been a popular pick for the Patriots at No. 4, but New England won’t pass on the best player available here. Carter has an argument for being the best in the entire class and Mike Vrabel will be throwing a party if the Nittany Lion becomes a Patriot. Gemini likes what Carter would bring to the team’s pass rush, saying he would be a game-changer.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Campbell has been a common pick for the Patriots, but he slips by New England and heads east from LSU to Jacksonville. Gemini is all-in on drafting the best player available and Campbell also fills a need for the Jaguars, who are trying to keep Trevor Lawrence on his feet in 2025. Head coach Liam Coen will enjoy the added reinforcements on offense to begin his tenure, but defense will have to be a point of emphasis later in the draft.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

After adding Geno Smith via trade, the Raiders now find their running back in Jeanty. Gemini acknowledged that drafting Jeanty at No. 6 might be high for a running back, but argues the combination of his talent, the team’s need and Pete Carroll’s philosophy make it a clear choice. One of the top players in the class, Vegas adds a blue chip prospect that should have an instant impact and, more importantly, ensures John Spytek’s son doesn’t leave the family.

7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Gemini isn’t playing games early in the first round, predicting the Jets will take Membou at No. 7. Unlike other chatbots, Google’s hasn’t gone off the board just yet. Membou has a ton of potential and would give the Jets an anchor on both sides of the offensive line after drafting Olu Fashanu last year. Gemini likes the idea of building a foundation up front and Membou certainly accomplishes that goal.

8. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Bryce Young is getting some help as the Panthers add the Arizona receiver in the top-10. McMillan does come with some concerns about speed, but wins with his size and athleticism. The chatbot took note of Carolina’s need for receiving help and ultimately took McMillan to satisfy that. If this comes to fruition, expect many to make a Mike Evans comparison given the Dave Canales connection to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

9. New Orleans Saints: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Everything is pointing towards the Saints drafting a quarterback, but Gemini doesn’t have time for your funny business. They instead chose to pick Graham, who almost slipped out of the top-10. The former Michigan man will add some youth to a New Orleans defense that could use some.

10. Chicago Bears: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Barron is a plug-and-play player that adds plenty of versatility to the Chicago defense. It’s a curious pick given the Bears needs and desire to build around Caleb Williams on offense, but apparently Gemini believes that you can never have too much of a good thing. Regardless, Barron would be a shocking pick when there are more pressing needs elsewhere.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Robert Saleh is back in the defensive coordinator seat in San Francisco, but the coach needs some cornerbacks upon returning to the Bay Area. Charvarious Ward has departed for Indianapolis, leaving a hole in the secondary and Johnson is a great way to fill that spot. He comes with injury concerns and still hasn’t run a 40-yard dash, but the prospect has done enough in college to warrant this pick.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Cowboys have no shortage of needs and will take care of the receiver spot by taking Egbuka, according to Gemini. It landed on this selection after making note of the need for another receiver not-named CeeDee Lamb. That’s hard to argue with and we’ll tip our cap to the chatbot, even if we would’ve opted for Matthew Golden in this instance, but to each their own.

13. Miami Dolphins: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Florida

Maybe the Dolphins have a thing for royalty as they reach for Princely Umanmielen with the 13th pick. Miami has no shortage of picks in this draft, but this is quite the reach with other pass-rushing talent on the board. Gemini likes the speed and power that the Florida edge brings, while we would’ve preferred to see someone like Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams or, more importantly, an offensive lineman like Kelvin Banks Jr.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

It’s the last chance for Anthony Richardson to solidify the starting job in Indianapolis going forward. Drafting Warren would go a long way in helping the Colts arrive at a conclusion. Gemini pointed out Warren’s all-around skillset and the lack of a tight end on the roster. Good pick. No notes.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

The Falcons couldn’t get after the quarterback in 2024 and are determined to avoid repeating that in 2025. Drafting Williams is a good way to try and solve that problem. The Georgia native goes from Athens to Atlanta, giving the Peach State fans a true homegrown player to root for.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

After adding Josh Sweat in free agency, the Cardinals strike by adding another edge rusher, this time from Ohio State. Gemini is planting it’s virtual flag on Sawyer, saying he has a higher floor than Jalon Walker and presents as a traditional, consistent edge rusher. While this price is quite steep for Sawyer, maybe the computer knows something we don’t.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

The Bengals need to beef up the interior and they find that by selecting Nolen. The former Ole Miss Rebel can slide in and play a big role on Cincinnati’s defensive line, especially if they find a way to figure out the Trey Hendrickson contract situation. 

18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

It could be a reach to draft an interior lineman at this stage, but the Seahawks aren’t in the mood to take the best player available with a major hole on the offensive line. Seattle’s front has been a problem for what feels like forever, so they opt for Zabel to protect their investment in Sam Darnold.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Tampa needs someone to get after the quarterback and Todd Bowles would be happy to land someone like Ezeiruaku with this pick. Bowles is not one to be shy when it comes to sending the blitz, but he doesn’t want to be forced into doing that just to generate some pressure. The Buccaneers’ edge rusher remodel gets a big boost with a Boston College prospect that Gemini liked for his fit, explosiveness and pass-rushing upside.

20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Sean Payton gets his running back. After living life without one last year, the Broncos finally add a running game to the offense. Denver sat out the free-agent market and instead get one in Round 1 to take some pressure off Bo Nix.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Steelers have no one to blame but themselves for their quarterback situation. Rather than address it in the first round, they’ll pretend it’s not a problem at all by adding Harmon to the defensive line. Gemini believes Harmon is someone the Steelers would likely target in the draft and also praised his ability to be a disruptor. At some point, they’ll need to figure out the quarterback spot. Perhaps that’ll be a problem for Day 2 or 3.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Jim Harbaugh’s team need another pass-catcher, but he might not appreciate Gemini’s selection at this pick. Burden III projects as a slot receiver, which would clash with Ladd McConkey. Los Angeles could benefit from size in their pass-catching addition, so the fit with the Missouri receiver is questionable.

23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Gemini wants the Packers to put the home crowd into a frenzy on draft night, taking the speedster from Texas. The Packers find themselves in need of a receiver after injuries and lack of development plagued the room. Golden fills that playmaking role as a reliable option. Green Bay has often ignored adding to the receiver position in these situations, so don’t be surprised if you look up and see a pig flying through the sky.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Brian Flores would enjoy adding someone like Starks to his aggressive defense. Minnesota is able to snag the safety that fell down the board, shoring up the secondary and also positioning themselves for life after Harrison Smith. The Vikings could’ve targeted offensive or defensive line here, but instead opt to take a talented prospect that should thrive thanks to his athleticism and playmaking, according to the chatbot.

25. Houston Texans: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Only a higher power knows what the Texans’ plan is this offseason, as the team took a torch to their contending window in the last few months. The offensive line still needs to be fixed, the receiver position got worse and C.J. Stroud isn’t in a better spot to win than he was when the season ended. So naturally, Houston opts for an edge-rusher to add depth to arguably their best position? Gemini liked Stewart’s connection because of his experience playing at a Texas school in addition to his athleticism and potential. It won’t keep Stroud upright, but it will keep opposing quarterbacks up at night. Stewart is a fine player, but this is a curious pick.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

The Rams have a need in the secondary, but instead continue their investment in a young defense by adding to the pass rush with Green. Los Angeles will have to address the secondary later, but with Barron, Johnson and even Starks off the board, it’s hard to argue with adding more to the edge. Gemini likes Green’s upside and how productive he was in college. In this hypothetical, the Rams will hope the chatbot is right about that.

27. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

While the expectation is that we’ll see defense with the Ravens’ pick, they instead opt to address the offensive line with the 27th pick. A plug-and-play guard, Booker slides right into the group up front for Baltimore. Gemini lauds Booker for his physicality and strong work ethic, calling him a ‘Ravens-type player.’

28. Detroit Lions: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

The Lions continue adding to their secondary by snagging the long and athletic Revel in the opening round. The D.J. Reed signing didn’t make cornerback a necessity, but last year’s injuries must have the team feeling a little uneasy heading into 2025. We would’ve expected a pass-rusher or offensive line depth here, but Gemini must know something we don’t, saying Revel’s talent and upside were worth the price of admission.

29. Washington Commanders: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

The Commanders might’ve crashed the NFL’s phone lines trying to make this pick. Once they got over the shock of Walker being available, they rushed to turn the card in before buying all the stock in Google’s Gemini. Dan Quinn would be over the moon getting the versatile Walker with the 29th pick, which was made possible thanks to a few shortcomings in Gemini’s artificial mind. The ‘tweener’ label, size concerns, consistency and limited full-time experience were enough for the chatbot to push Walker down the board.

30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Buffalo addresses a need in the secondary, selecting speedy Hairston in Round 1. The Kentucky product stole headlines at the NFL combine for his blazing 4.28 in the 40-yard dash. Bills fans will probably wish they had Hairston when they were being tormented by Tyreek Hill in the playoffs every year, but this is a welcome addition to Buffalo’s secondary regardless. He is on the smaller side, however, but Hairston makes up for that with his ball skills, as Gemini points out.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

The Chiefs saw their offensive line become an issue again in the Super Bowl, something they’ll be determined to avoid repeating next season. Kansas City invests in Simmons at the draft, securing what they hope will be their starting left tackle for years to come. A knee injury bumped the Buckeye down the board, but Gemini notes that protecting Patrick Mahomes makes this pick a necessity.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

With the final pick of the first round, Gemini is heading to the Volunteer State to find a new edge rusher for the Eagles. The chatbot secured the services of Pearce for the Super Bowl champions, which should bolster a pass rush that will need some reinforcements to remain at their best in 2025. A year ago, Pearce was considered to be a top prospect in this class. He might’ve fallen down the board in the last 12 months, but Gemini notes the prospect’s high upside fits nicely on this team.

The grandfather of the game is walking away, which is sort of apropos in these vapid and vacuous times.

It’s not your grandfather’s college football anymore, and now the old guy will make it official by exiting the building.

Lee Corso, the unintended glorious gift to America’s obsession with televised football, will retire from ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ after the first week of the 2025 season. 

Maybe we can get him to turn off the lights on the way out, too.

Am I the only one who sees this surreal irony? While social media is flush with memories of Corso from days gone by, let’s not undersell the obvious final connection of out with the old and in with the new.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence that the sport’s ambassador will be leaving after the first week of a season where players are likely paid to play, earning a shared percentage of media-rights revenue. 

Back when Corso made Thursday Night football electric – literally, electric – and long after the NFL commandeered the night, the idea of pay for play was the NCAA’s mortal sin. Players receive plenty with a scholarship and room and board, thank you. 

And if they’re lucky, they’ll get a few, wink-wink, hundred-dollar handshakes along the way. 

There was a time two decades ago – I’m not making this up – when Steve Spurrier offered the idea of coaches pooling together some extra cash to give players money. You know, walking-around cash.

He was so adamant about it, he threatened to release the names of the coaches in the SEC who refused to pay their part.

Now, we had a marginally successful quarterback holding up a storied program days before the opening of something called the “transfer portal.” Now, it’s a player’s right to play when and where he wants, and for how much money he can get on the open market. 

And anyone who tries to stop them will get a friendly subpoena from somewhere in the United States judicial system, where every attorney is welcome to argue any case they wish.

It wasn’t that long ago when you signed with a program and played with that program — and if you didn’t, and left for another school, you were the outlier who couldn’t cut it. And you better believe if you couldn’t make it there, what in the world made you think you could make it here? The whole, “Those who stay will be champions,” thing. 

You know, developing productive, valuable adults. 

But when the NCAA opened the doors on free agency in 2021, The Team, The Team, The Team became the teams, the contracts, the leverage. This beautiful symphony of a sport has become the land of independent contractors — even in the best of times. 

Ohio State doesn’t win the national title last season without four critical free-agent signings: Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins, Seth McLaughlin and Caleb Downs. 

One played lights-out in the postseason, one led the team in rushing and scored three touchdowns in the national title game, one was an All-America lineman and the other the most complete defensive player in the nation. 

Other than that, how did Ohio State lose to Michigan? Again.

Player empowerment has drastically changed the landscape of the game, leaving university presidents and administrators and coaches scrambling to respond to an extinction event of their own making. Not of the game itself, but of the game they knew and loved. 

Of the game that grew from a regional sport to a national behemoth with the rocket engine of cable giant ESPN, and frankly, the gregarious yet gracious personality of Corso. 

The laughter and the tears. The unintended mishaps and the unforgettable slips. 

And now, with the sport hurtling through an uncontrollable metamorphosis, Corso is leaving and a carnival barker is taking center stage. How fitting. 

From your lovable grandfather, to crazy cousin Pat McAfee trying to give away hundreds of thousands of his dollars every single week. Because he can.

Hey, why shouldn’t everyone get in on the money grab? If the Power Four conference schools are making more than $7 billion annually through media-rights deals and revenue generation, and players will likely be paid from a salary pool of at least $20 million-$23 million, why not throw some cash at the fans?

The loyal, unwavering fans who for decades bought tickets and apparel, and spent uncontrollably on cable television, and then on streaming and premium apps — because those precious four months of the season come and go so quickly, they just can’t get enough. 

Fall Saturdays were (and to some, still are) a religious rite of passage. So yeah, excuse them if they feel a little melancholy about their grandfather saying goodbye.

They’ve watched the game they love grow into a mini version of the NFL, full of contracts and salary caps and now holdouts. The only difference is there isn’t some dork at the top of the food chain making $40 million annually to act as the purveyor of all things — when he’s really just a mouthpiece for 32 billionaires.   

I’d give a billion to have Corso forever. 

Instead, it won’t cost a penny to have him flip off the lights when he leaves. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

LAS VEGAS — Some of WWE’s greats will be put into wrestling immortality during WrestleMania 41 weekend with the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame.

A grand tradition that takes place the night before WrestleMania, the Hall of Fame ceremony serves as a time to honor those that made tremendous contributions to wrestling and became popular stars in the process. It’s an emotional night, from the people getting to induct their friends to those soaking in the honor of being part of the class. Five stars will be inducted and, for the first time, a match gets put into the class.

USA TODAY Sports will provide the highlights from the 2025 WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony, which will begin late in Las Vegas and early morning in the East Coast. Here’s what to know before the event kicks off.

When is WWE Hall of Fame 2025 ceremony?

The 2025 WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony takes place Friday, April 19 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel.

WWE Hall of Fame 2025 start time

The WWE Hall Of Fame 2025 ceremony begins at 10 p.m. PT (1 a.m. ET).

How to watch WWE Hall of Fame 2025 ceremony

Date: April 18
Location: Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Time: 1 a.m. ET (10 p.m. PT)
Stream: Peacock (U.S.) | Netflix (International)

WWE Hall of Fame 2025 class

Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque
Lex Luger
Michelle McCool
The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) 
WWE Immortal Moment: Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart vs. ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin (WrestleMania 13)

Who is inducting WWE Hall of Fame 2025 class?

Here is who will be inducting each person in the 2025 class:

Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque: Shawn Michaels
Lex Luger: Diamond Dallas Page
Michelle McCool: The Undertaker
The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon): TBD
WWE Immortal Moment: Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (WrestleMania 13): CM Punk

Another James will soon grace college basketball.

LeBron James’ youngest son, Bryce James, officially signed with Arizona basketball on Thursday. Bryce is the second of LeBron’s sons to play college basketball, as LeBron’s oldest son, Bronny James, played one season at USC in 2023-24.

Bronny James, of course, was drafted by the Lakers and is in the same organization as his dad.

Bryce James, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, is the No. 257-ranked player nationally and No. 45 shooting guard, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings. The Sierra Canyon High School product is also the No. 30 player in California.

Bryce James also held reported offers from Duquesne, who’s coached by LeBron James’ former high school teammate Dru Joyce III, and Ohio State, a school LeBron James is a massive fan of given his ties to Ohio.

Bryce James signed alongside two five-star prospects in Arizona’s 2025 recruiting class, as he joined Koa Peat and Brayden Burries. Arizona also signed high-end four-star forward Dwayne Aristode.

LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is a four-time NBA Finals champion and four-time MVP. Known as one of the greatest players ever, LeBron James, 40, is the oldest player in the NBA and still averaged 24.4 points with 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game this season.

The NHL is rolling out its playoff schedule slowly with two Western Conference games on Saturday and the 2024 champion Florida Panthers not starting their Stanley Cup defense until Tuesday.

The Panthers will face the cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning in what could be one of the best series of the first round. The 2024 Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers will try to make it four years in a row of beating the Los Angeles Kings in the first round.

Which eight teams will make it to the second round?

USA TODAY’s Jason Anderson, Mike Brehm and Jace Evans give their predictions for the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs:

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens

Jason Anderson: Capitals in 6. The Caps have had some ugly losses in recent weeks to teams that missed the playoffs, including dropping a recent back-to-back pair of games to Columbus by a combined 11-1 score. I’m taking Washington, but with the Habs holding opponents to just 2.4 goals per game over their final 10 regular-season outings, this might be closer than a No. 1-vs.-No. 8 series ought to be.

Mike Brehm: Capitals in 6. The Canadiens are in the same position as the Capitals were last season: clinching on the last game of the season and facing one of the best teams in the league. Those Capitals were swept. These Canadiens won’t be, but they are facing a Washington team that has improved in every aspect of the game, even with its late-season issues.

Jace Evans: Capitals in 6. Most of the focus on Washington lately has been on Alex Ovechkin’s historic goal chase. While epic, it also obscured the fact that the Caps haven’t been playing all that well. Still, the NHL’s most surprising team this season should have enough to win this series, particularly if goalie Logan Thompson can return (and return to form).

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

Jason Anderson: Hurricanes in 5. Neither of these teams is coming into the playoffs on a hot streak, with ho-hum goaltending and more recent losses than wins. However, Carolina skates too well and is too deep for a Devils team that hasn’t figured out how to replace Jack Hughes (shoulder).

Mike Brehm: Hurricanes in 5. The Devils are more than Jack Hughes, but New Jersey will miss his game-breaking ability against a Hurricanes team that doesn’t give you much free space.

Jace Evans: Hurricanes in 4. The season-ending injury to Jack Hughes was so deflating for the Devils. It’s just hard to imagine them mustering much of a fight without one of the game’s top players.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

Jason Anderson: Maple Leafs in 6. Toronto is clearly the better team here, and is built for playoff hockey. However, no team enters the postseason with a more anxious fanbase thanks to how many times the Leafs have crashed out of the first round (it’s eight times in nine postseason trips since the 2004-05 lockout, if you’re counting). The Leafs will make it hard on themselves, but they have too much of an edge to pick against them in this series.

Mike Brehm: Maple Leafs in 6. This is when we’ll find out how much the coaching change to Craig Berube will help. The Maple Leafs have been good in the regular season and not so good in the playoffs. But Berube has them playing the right way.

Jace Evans: Maple Leafs in 5. Not to be hyperbolic but if the Maple Leafs somehow manage to lose in the first round this year they should fold the franchise. Jokes aside, Toronto is the superior team and has its best opportunity to make a deep run since 2021 … when it collapsed in the first round against another Canadian team.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

Jason Anderson: Lightning in 7. This one feels like it could be a classic. It’s hard to pick against the defending champions, but Florida has been too inconsistent down the stretch to make another long playoff run. Tampa Bay has the edge in goal with Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov has been spectacular, and that’s enough to make the home-ice edge in this series count.

Mike Brehm: Lightning in 6. The Panthers will have to play two games on the road without suspended Aaron Ekblad. And they’re facing a Lightning team that made some smart pickups at the trade deadline. The Panthers were busy, too, adding Seth Jones and Brad Marchand, but they also have had injury issues.

Jace Evans: Lightning in 6. Beyond questions about Matthew Tkachuk’s health (and effectiveness after so much time away), Florida has just played an awful lot of hockey the last two years. It’s very hard to make three consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final and it’s an even bigger ask to begin that journey on the road against a team as good as Tampa.

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues

Jason Anderson: Jets in 6. The Presidents’ Trophy has been a bit of a curse, but it’s hard to pick against Winnipeg in this series. The Blues have played the Jets close this season, but St. Louis gives away too many chances in front and has too much trouble killing penalties to convert that into a major upset.

Mike Brehm: Jets in 5. The Jets play a strong defensive game and Connor Hellebuyck is heading toward a second consecutive Vezina Trophy. That didn’t help him in last season’s playoffs, when he was blown out by Colorado, but the Blues aren’t the Avalanche and don’t have their firepower.

Jace Evans: Blues in 6. Connor Hellebuyck is the best goalie in the world. But he’s been a disaster the prior two postseasons. The Jets were the best team in the league this year. But no Presidents’ Trophy winner has made the Stanley Cup Final since 2013 and only two since then have even made the conference finals (2015 and 2024 Rangers). I’m picking the upset.

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

Jason Anderson: Avalanche in 6. Plenty of data points suggest the Avs’ record isn’t quite as good as it should be, and that Dallas has had a bit of luck on its side. It’s also impossible to ignore that the Stars enter the playoffs on a shocking seven-game losing streak. Despite Dallas having home ice, Colorado’s scoring depth should be able to wear the Stars down.

Mike Brehm: Avalanche in 5. I had toyed with picking the Stars to reach the Stanley Cup Final. But that was before they cratered down the stretch. If Miro Heiskanen remains out and Jason Robertson misses time, Dallas will have a tough time.

Jace Evans: Avalanche in 7. The Stars are deep and seem like a title contender once again … but they don’t have the same level of star-power Colorado has. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar will help the Avs find a way.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild

Jason Anderson: Golden Knights in 5. Vegas won all three regular-season meetings, and while the Wild have the best goalie in the series in Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota is also one of two teams to get into the playoffs despite a negative goal difference (-11) on the season. The Golden Knights are the stronger team top to bottom.

Mike Brehm: Golden Knights in 6. The Golden Knights lost key players to free agency but are a deeper team because of the emergence of players such as Pavel Dorofeyev. They didn’t even make a stunning move at the deadline, just bringing back Reilly Smith. The Golden Knights have plenty of leftovers from the 2023 Stanley Cup champions and could go far.

Jace Evans: Golden Knights in 6. Minnesota has gotten healthy at the right time, but Vegas is a deep, balanced group that is loaded with championship experience. The Wild haven’t won a playoff series since 2015.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

Jason Anderson: Kings in 6. It’s NHL tradition at this point for the Kings and Oilers to play in the first round, but this year Los Angeles finally gets one over on Edmonton. Darcy Kuemper gives the Kings an edge between the pipes, and it’s impossible to assume the Oilers’ long list of dinged-up players can be at their best.

Mike Brehm: Kings in 7. The Kings are dominant at home and they have home-ice advantage in this series. The Oilers will miss injured Mattias Ekholm.

Jace Evans: Oilers in 7. The Oilers were hit by the injury bug about as hard as any team in the playoffs, and there remains eternal questions about their goaltending. And yet, if the big guns are in the lineup, I just trust they’ll find a way to score goals and beat the Kings — as they have the prior three years.