Seven of the eight first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are already underway, with the final series set to begin on Tuesday.
The highly anticipated `Battle of Florida` between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers opens tonight (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Both teams are considered strong contenders for the Stanley Cup this season.
The Panthers-Lightning game is the third of four playoff matchups scheduled for Tuesday across the ESPN networks. The evening`s action starts with New Jersey against Carolina (6 p.m. ET, ESPN), followed by Ottawa facing Toronto (7:30 p.m., ESPN2). The late game features Minnesota taking on Vegas (11 p.m. ET, ESPN).
What are the key narratives and factors heading into Tuesday`s games? Which players are worth keeping a close eye on? Below are game previews featuring statistical insights from ESPN Research, recaps of the results from Monday night, and Arda Öcal`s selection of the top three players from Monday`s games.
Matchup Notes
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 2 (CAR leads 1-0) | 6 p.m. ET | ESPN
Game 1 did not unfold favorably for the Devils. While winning in Carolina`s famously loud arena would have been challenging, suffering injuries to Brenden Dillon, Cody Glass, and Luke Hughes made the loss even tougher.
New Jersey will aim to bounce back in Game 2 before the series moves to Newark. Improving the shot differential is crucial, as the Hurricanes, known for their strong puck possession, held a significant 45-24 advantage in shots on goal during the first game.
Carolina has often been criticized for lacking a premier goal scorer capable of elevating them in the playoffs. The acquisition of Mikko Rantanen in January was thought to address this, but ironically, it was Logan Stankoven, acquired in the subsequent trade of Rantanen to Dallas, who netted two goals in Game 1. Will he continue his scoring touch in Game 2?
Historically, the Devils have overcome a Game 1 loss to win a series 11 out of 26 times (42%). However, this percentage drops to 20% if they fall behind 0-2. The Hurricanes, conversely, have won six of their last seven series after securing a Game 1 victory.
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 2 (TOR leads 1-0) | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2
The atmosphere for Game 1 was electric. Toronto`s `Core Four` players were dominant: Mitch Marner (one goal, two assists), William Nylander (one goal, one assist), John Tavares (one goal, one assist), and Auston Matthews (two assists) all recorded multiple points. Continued production from these stars would significantly help Toronto overwhelm their provincial rivals.
According to Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk, slowing down the Maple Leafs requires better discipline. Tkachuk stated after Game 1, “We took too many penalties, they scored on [them] and that`s the game. So that`s on us. We`ve got to be more disciplined.”
The Senators also need to be more clinical with their scoring opportunities. Stathletes data showed Ottawa had five high-danger scoring chances in the game but only managed to convert two into goals.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1 | 8:30 p.m ET | ESPN
This marks the fourth time these two Florida teams have met in the postseason, with all four meetings occurring since 2021.
Notably, the winner of each of these past series has advanced to the Stanley Cup Final – Tampa Bay in 2021 and 2022, and Florida in 2024. The Lightning won the Cup in 2021, and the Panthers won in 2024.
Predictably, Nikita Kucherov has been Tampa Bay`s top performer against Florida, accumulating 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 15 games. For the Panthers, Aleksander Barkov leads the way against the Lightning with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) over the same 15-game span.
The teams split their regular season series. Tampa Bay won the most recent meeting with a 5-1 score on April 15.
Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 2 (VGK leads 1-0) | 11 p.m. ET | ESPN
Despite being the underdog, the Wild established a physical presence in Game 1, outhitting the Golden Knights 54-29. However, Vegas secured a 4-2 home victory. Tomas Hertl, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Brett Howden (who scored twice) accounted for Vegas`s goals, while Matt Boldy scored both goals for Minnesota.
Brett Howden, who reached double-digit goals for the first time this season with 23, received praise from coach Bruce Cassidy after Game 1. Cassidy commented, “He didn`t change his game. He played physical. He`s part of our penalty kill. He`s always out when the goalie`s out, typically one of the six guys we use a lot because of his versatility. He can play wing. He can take draws as a center. He`s been real good for us all year and good again tonight.”
Sunday`s game marked the NHL debut for 2024 first-round draft pick Zeev Buium, who recently completed his season with the University of Denver. He played 13 minutes and 37 seconds and registered one shot on goal.
Arda`s Three Stars from Monday Night
1. Alex Ovechkin
LW, Washington Capitals
The greatest goal scorer in NHL history continues to find the back of the net. He scored two goals, including the overtime winner, leading the Capitals to a 3-2 victory despite Montreal`s late third-period push to tie.
2. Kyle Connor
LW, Winnipeg Jets
Connor scored the game-winning goal in the third period for the second consecutive game, helping Winnipeg secure both home games and take a 2-0 series lead over the Blues.
3. Connor McDavid
C, Edmonton Oilers
Demonstrating the Oilers` never-give-up attitude, McDavid contributed a goal and three assists to help erase a 4-0 deficit. However, his efforts weren`t enough as a late goal lifted the Kings to a thrilling 6-5 victory in Game 1.
Monday`s Scores
Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Washington leads 1-0
Much of the regular season focused on Alex Ovechkin`s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky`s all-time goal-scoring record. Ovechkin, thriving under the spotlight, opened the scoring in Game 1 and sealed the win with his first career playoff overtime goal. The Capitals secured the victory after Nick Suzuki had tied the game late in the third period.
Jets 2, Blues 1
Winnipeg leads 2-0
Following a tightly contested Game 1 where the Jets pulled ahead in the third period, this trend continued on Monday. The score was tied 1-1 entering the final frame before Winnipeg`s Kyle Connor scored at 1:43. Connor`s linemate, Mark Scheifele, assisted on the game-winner and scored the Jets` first goal, giving him a league-leading five points so far in the postseason.
Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Series tied 1-1
The series widely predicted to be the most competitive didn`t appear that way in Game 1, where the Avalanche dominated the Stars in a 5-1 win. Game 2, however, lived up to expectations, with the two Western Conference powerhouses needing overtime to decide the outcome. Colin Blackwell was the hero for Dallas, scoring with 2:14 remaining in the extra frame.
Kings 6, Oilers 5
Los Angeles leads 1-0
Monday`s final game was a treat for fans who enjoy high-scoring hockey and stayed up late. The Kings established a four-goal lead late in the second period, but Edmonton`s Leon Draisaitl scored in the final seconds to cut the deficit to three. The teams exchanged goals to start the third before the Oilers mounted a comeback with three straight goals, capped by Connor McDavid`s tying goal with 1:28 left. However, the Kings secured the win when Phillip Danault responded just 42 seconds later.
