After only a single game played on Tuesday, Wednesday features two matchups, including one where a recent Stanley Cup winner could face elimination.
The first game is between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the series tied at 2-2. Later, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Edmonton Oilers. The home team hopes to avoid a 4-1 series loss just two seasons after their championship win.
Below are previews for these games with statistical insights from ESPN Research, alongside a recap of Tuesday`s game and Arda Öcal`s Three Stars.
Matchup Notes
Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 5 | 7 p.m. ET
With the series knotted at 2-2, the Panthers are considered favorites to advance with series odds of -210 compared to the Leafs` +170. Florida`s odds to win the Stanley Cup are +400, while Toronto`s are +900.
Historically, when a best-of-seven series is tied 2-2 in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the team winning Game 5 has gone on to win the series 79% of the time.
Each goal scored by Carter Verhaeghe extends his lead as the franchise`s top playoff scorer, currently at 30 goals. Sam Reinhart is second with 24, Aleksander Barkov third with 22, and Matthew Tkachuk fourth with 20.
Brad Marchand, acquired at the trade deadline, holds a personal 4-0 playoff series record against Toronto. His 33 career playoff points against the Leafs tie him for third all-time with Henri Richard, trailing only Alex Delvecchio (35) and Gordie Howe (53).
William Nylander leads Toronto in goals this postseason with six. His 26 career playoff goals tie him with Steve Thomas and George Armstrong for fifth in franchise history, just three behind Ted Kennedy`s 29.
Mitch Marner, another member of Toronto`s `Core Four`, is nearing a milestone. With his next assist, he will join Doug Gilmour as the only Maple Leafs players with 50 or more career playoff assists.
Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 5 | 9:30 p.m. ET
Edmonton leads this series 3-1, significantly shifting the odds. The Oilers are now -1000 favorites to win the series, with the Knights at +550. Edmonton also has the lowest odds to win the Stanley Cup at +260, while Vegas is +3000. Only the Capitals have longer odds (+7500).
Historically, when leading a best-of-seven series 3-1, the Oilers have won 94% of the time. The Golden Knights have never successfully overcome a 3-1 series deficit.
Adam Henrique scored two goals in the first period of Game 4, matching his total from the previous nine playoff games this postseason. It was his second career multi-goal playoff game, the first coming during the Devils` 2012 run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Connor McDavid extended his assist streak to eight games with an assist on Evander Kane`s Game 4 goal. This ties Wayne Gretzky (1983) for the third-longest assist streak in Oilers playoff history, trailing Leon Draisaitl (2022) and Glenn Anderson (1985), who both had nine-game streaks in a single postseason.
Vegas` Mark Stone shares the franchise playoff goal record with Jonathan Marchessault, both having scored 36 career playoff goals.
Teammate Jack Eichel is generating shots on goal but has only scored once this postseason. His 27 shots lead the Knights, but among the 43 players with 20 or more shots, Eichel`s 3.7% shooting percentage is the lowest.
Öcal`s Three Stars from Tuesday
1. Mikael Granlund
C, Dallas Stars
Granlund recorded his first career hat trick, leading Dallas to victory. He now has consecutive multi-point games in the playoffs for the first time in his career.
2. Jake Oettinger
G, Dallas Stars
The Minnesota native stopped 31 of 32 shots to earn the win. He is the sixth U.S.-born goalie to reach 30 playoff wins, with Tom Barrasso holding the record at 60.
3. Miro Heiskanen
D, Dallas Stars
The star defenseman contributed an assist and played just under 15 minutes in his first game since January 28.
Tuesday`s Recap
Dallas Stars 3, Winnipeg Jets 1
DAL leads 3-1 | Game 5 Thursday
While Mikko Rantanen has often been the offensive leader for the Stars this postseason, another Finnish player acquired via trade stepped into the spotlight on Tuesday. Mikael Granlund secured his first career hat trick, scoring one goal in each period, which proved more than enough to defeat the visiting Jets. Nikolaj Ehlers` goal early in the second period was the only shot to beat Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger. The Dallas crowd chanted `Otter`s better!` aimed at Winnipeg`s Connor Hellebuyck. Dallas now holds a 3-1 series lead heading to Winnipeg for Game 5, pushing to reach the conference finals for the third time in the last four years.
