After the exciting start with two games on the opening night, the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs continue on Sunday with three Game 1s:
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New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes (3 p.m. ET)
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Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET)
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Minnesota Wild vs Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET)
Which teams will gain an early advantage in their series? Who are the key players to keep an eye on?
Continue reading for game previews, a recap of last night`s action, and Arda Öcal`s Three Stars of the Night.
Matchup Notes
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1 | 3 p.m. ET
These teams had an even regular-season series, each winning twice. It`s worth noting that all four games happened before Devils` key player Jack Hughes got injured and had to end his season. For the Hurricanes, Sebastian Aho from Finland was the top scorer this season (29 goals, 45 assists), while Jesper Bratt from Sweden led the Devils in scoring (21 goals, 67 assists). Their last playoff series was in 2023, where the Hurricanes won 4-1.
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET
The first game in the Battle of Ontario marks the Senators` return to the playoffs since 2017 and the very first time for Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk. On the other side, the Maple Leafs are in the playoffs for the ninth year in a row, but they`ve only won one series during this time. Toronto`s scoring ability has faded in past playoffs, so their leading scorer Mitch Marner (27 goals, 75 assists) and others will aim to change that. Although Toronto is favored in the series, Ottawa won all three regular-season games against them.
Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET
The Sunday late game features the Wild, a wild-card team, against the Golden Knights, one of the strongest teams in the West. Zeev Buium, Minnesota`s new defenseman who recently played in the NCAA Frozen Four final with the University of Denver, didn`t play in the last regular-season game. How much will he play in this series? The Knights will attack the Wild intensely, led by center Jack Eichel, who received some votes for the Hart Trophy in the latest NHL Awards Watch. Vegas won all three regular-season games against Minnesota, with a total score of 12-4.
Arda`s Three Stars of Saturday
1. Kyle Connor
LW, Winnipeg Jets
Connor scored a goal and provided two assists, keeping the Jets` offense strong in a game that set the tone for Winnipeg in this series, including a comeback in the third period. The team is still driven by their first-round exit in five games last postseason and wants to continue their Presidents` Trophy form.
2. Nathan MacKinnon
C, Colorado Avalanche
MacKinnon was one of the best players in the game and performed well on Saturday. He scored three points in Game 1 (away game), including the game-winning goal and an empty-net goal, helping the Avalanche take an early lead in the series.
3. Mark Scheifele
C, Winnipeg Jets
The connection between Scheifele and Connor was evident. Scheifele ended Game 1 with three points, including a great assist to Connor for the game-winning goal late in the third period.
Saturday`s Results
Winnipeg Jets 5, St. Louis Blues 3
Jets lead series 1-0
The first period was intense with both teams scoring twice, choosing to attack aggressively from the start rather than cautiously assess their opponents. The Blues were leading 3-2 going into the third after a goal in the second period by Jordan Kyrou, but the Jets dominated the third period. Fueled by the home crowd, they scored three goals. Alex Iafallo tied the game at 9:18 of the third, followed by Kyle Connor`s game-winner with 1:36 left, and Adam Lowry sealed the victory with an empty-net goal. Full stats, recap.
Colorado Avalanche 5, Dallas Stars 2
Avs lead series 1-0
Unlike the earlier game on Saturday, this match started with a 0-0 first period. However, from the second period onwards, it was all Avalanche. Artturi Lehkonen scored the first goal in a memorable way, with the puck deflecting off his skate and over Jake Oettinger`s shoulder – the goal was confirmed after review. Nathan MacKinnon increased the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal after Roope Hintz`s high-sticking penalty, and the Avs never looked back. Although Hintz scored a power-play goal in the third, the Avs added goals from Devon Toews, an empty-netter from MacKinnon, and a final goal from Charlie Coyle. Full stats, recap.
