As three of the four second-round series have completed two games, certain trends are becoming apparent, some of which are unfavorable for teams widely expected to advance deep into the postseason.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, find themselves trailing 2-0 as they head home to host the Toronto Maple Leafs for Game 3 (Friday night). Following this, the Dallas Stars will seek another road win against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 2 (Friday night).
Continue reading for previews of these games, including statistical insights, a summary of Thursday`s results, and Arda Öcal`s three stars.
Matchup Notes
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers
Game 3
Historically, the Maple Leafs hold an 84% series win rate in best-of-seven matchups after taking a 2-0 lead. Conversely, the Panthers have a record of 0-5 in best-of-seven series when facing a 0-2 deficit.
This series pits the two most productive 5-on-5 lines of the postseason against each other: the Eetu Luostarinen-Anton Lundell-Brad Marchand line (with eight goals) and the Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner line (with seven goals, including the Game 2 winner).
William Nylander has now scored in three consecutive games, bringing his postseason total to six goals and 13 points. He is the only Maple Leaf since Doug Gilmour in 1993 to accumulate 13 or more points in the first eight playoff games and just the second Leaf in the last 30 years, alongside Alexander Mogilny (2003), to score five goals over a three-game stretch.
Brad Marchand`s goal in Game 2 increased his career playoff points against the Leafs to 32, ranking him fourth all-time. He is behind Gordie Howe (53), Alex Delvecchio (35), and Henri Richard (33).
Joseph Woll, playing in place of the injured Anthony Stolarz, stopped 25 of 28 shots for Toronto. On the Florida side, Sergei Bobrovsky gave up four goals on 20 shots in Game 2, totaling nine goals allowed over the first two games. This marks one of the highest two-game playoff goal totals of his career.
Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets
Game 2
Following their Game 1 victory, the Stars are now favored to win the series (-360), while the Jets are listed at +280. Dallas` win ended an eight-game losing streak in playoff series openers.
In the 3-2 win, Mikko Rantanen supplied the necessary offense for Dallas, recording his second hat trick in as many games, both achieved within a single period. He also established a new Stanley Cup playoff record with 12 consecutive team goal contributions (either a goal or an assist), surpassing Mario Lemieux`s 1992 mark of nine.
Game 1 marked Jason Robertson`s return from an injury sustained in the final regular-season game. He logged 13:44 of ice time, including one minute on the power play, and recorded one shot.
Mark Scheifele also made his return in the series opener, having been absent since April 30 (Game 5 against the Blues in Round 1). Scheifele finished the game with a goal and seven shots in 22:36 of ice time.
Winnipeg`s Connor Hellebuyck and Dallas` Jake Oettinger are seen as top contenders for the starting goaltender spot for Team USA at the 2026 Olympics. Oettinger won the first head-to-head matchup, stopping 29 of 31 shots in the victory, while Hellebuyck made 21 saves on 24 shots in the loss.
Öcal`s Three Stars from Thursday
1. Tom Wilson
RW, Washington Capitals
Wilson played a crucial role in the Capitals leveling their series against the Hurricanes. This game marked the first time in his playoff career that he recorded at least two points, two hits, two blocked shots, and three shots on goal.
2. Leon Draisaitl
C, Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl scored the overtime winner, giving Edmonton a 2-0 series lead over Vegas. He is now one of only two players in franchise history, along with Esa Tikkanen (1991), to score multiple overtime goals in a single postseason.
3. Jack Eichel
C, Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel contributed three assists in the overtime loss to Edmonton. He has accumulated eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his last five games, matching his personal best for points over a five-game stretch in his playoff career.
Thursday`s Recaps
Washington Capitals 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Series tied 1-1 | Game 3 Saturday
Following their Game 1 defeat, the Capitals appeared revitalized, with veteran winger Tom Wilson reportedly `setting the tone,` according to Alex Ovechkin. Connor McMichael opened the scoring early in the second period. John Carlson extended Washington`s lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal early in the third, assisted by Wilson and Dylan Strome. Shayne Gostisbehere narrowed the gap for Carolina with a power-play goal, but Wilson sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
Edmonton Oilers 5, Vegas Golden Knights 4 (OT)
EDM leads 2-0 | Game 3 Saturday
Vegas, aiming to tie the series, scored first with Victor Olofsson`s goal in the opening period. However, Edmonton responded with three consecutive goals in the second period from Jake Walman, Vasily Podkolzin, and Darnell Nurse. William Karlsson pulled the Knights within one late in the second. Evander Kane restored Edmonton`s two-goal lead early in the third, but Vegas fought back with goals from Olofsson and Alex Pietrangelo, forcing overtime. Leon Draisaitl then scored the decisive goal, securing a 5-4 win for the Oilers and a 2-0 series advantage as the series shifts to Edmonton.
