Following an exciting opening night for the second round, the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs continue on Tuesday with two series-opening games.
The action begins with a Metro Division showdown featuring the Carolina Hurricanes against the Washington Capitals (scheduled start 7 p.m. ET), followed by the late game where the Edmonton Oilers visit the Vegas Golden Knights (scheduled start 9:30 p.m. ET).
Read on for detailed game previews, including statistical insights, a summary of Monday`s game, and the top three performers from Monday.
Matchup Analysis
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals
Game 1
The teams split their regular-season series in 2024-25, with each winning two games. The Hurricanes slightly outscored the Capitals 14-10 over those four contests. Betting odds favor Carolina (-175) to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference finals, while Washington is listed at +150.
These two organizations previously met in the first round of the 2019 playoffs, Rod Brind`Amour`s first series as a head coach. Five current Capitals players (John Carlson, Nic Dowd, Lars Eller, Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson) and five current Hurricanes players (Sebastian Aho, Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin, Jordan Staal, Andrei Svechnikov) participated in that series. Carolina ultimately won in seven games, decided in double overtime.
A notable recent meeting occurred on April 2nd, when the Hurricanes won 5-1 in a game that saw a combined 142 penalty minutes, the second-highest total in a single NHL game this season.
Svechnikov`s five goals in the first round matched a Whalers/Hurricanes franchise record for goals in a single playoff round, previously achieved by Aho (2021 first round), Eric Staal (2009 first round), Ray Sheppard (1999 first round), and Mark Hunter (1991 first round).
Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen leads the playoffs with a .936 save percentage but exited Game 4 against New Jersey and did not play in Game 5.
With four goals in the first round, Ovechkin now has 76 career playoff goals, tying him with Mario Lemieux for 12th all-time. Jaromir Jagr is next on the list with 78.
Logan Thompson was particularly strong in the Capitals` net during home games in Round 1. He stopped 86 out of 90 shots (.956 save percentage) and allowed two goals or fewer in all three home appearances.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1
Similar to the Hurricanes and Capitals, the Oilers and Golden Knights also split their season series 2-2. The goal differential was tighter, with Edmonton scoring 11 to Vegas` 10. This projects to be an even matchup, with betting odds listing both teams at -110 to win the series.
These two teams previously met in the second round of the 2023 playoffs. The Golden Knights won that series in six games on their path to winning the Stanley Cup.
The top selections from the 2015 NHL draft, No. 1 overall Connor McDavid and No. 2 overall Jack Eichel (originally drafted by Buffalo, now with Vegas), lead the way for their respective teams.
McDavid (eight times) and Leon Draisaitl (six times) are the only active players who have recorded 10 or more points in a single postseason series six or more times. Other NHL legends who achieved this feat include Wayne Gretzky (21 times), Mark Messier (eight), Denis Savard (seven), and Mario Lemieux (six).
The Oilers allowed 24 goals in the first round, which is the third-most goals allowed in a winning playoff series in franchise history. The only instances with more were 27 goals allowed in 1984 (against Calgary) and 25 in 1985 (against Chicago).
Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Brayden McNabb, and Ivan Barbashev were held without points in the first three games of the first round. However, these four players combined for four goals and 10 assists in Games 4 through 6.
Likewise, Adin Hill elevated his performance in the latter half of the first round. He had a 1-2 record, an .825 save percentage, and a 3.78 goal-against average in Games 1-3. In contrast, he went 3-0 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.08 goal-against average in Games 4-6.
Monday`s Top Performers
1. William Nylander
RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Nylander became the second player in Maple Leafs history to record three points in the first period of a playoff game with his performance in the series opener.
2. Matthew Knies
LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Knies scored a crucial breakaway goal in the third period as the Panthers were pressing, providing insurance for the Maple Leafs in a game they ultimately needed it.
3. Morgan Rielly
D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Rielly scored his 14th career playoff goal, breaking the tie with Ian Turnbull for the most by a defenseman in Maple Leafs franchise history.
Recap of Monday`s Game
Toronto Maple Leafs 5 vs. Florida Panthers 4
Toronto leads series 1-0.
These Atlantic Division rivals, familiar with one another, began their series with the home team taking an early lead. William Nylander started the scoring just 33 seconds in and added another goal later in the first period. Goals from Florida`s Seth Jones and Toronto`s Morgan Rielly followed, leaving the Leafs with a 3-1 lead after the opening frame.
After Chris Tanev extended Toronto`s lead to 4-1 in the second period, the Panthers mounted a comeback in the third with goals from Eetu Luostarinen and Uvis Balinskis, closing the gap to one. Matthew Knies netted an insurance goal with six minutes remaining, and despite a late tally from Sam Bennett, the Panthers fell short, losing by one goal.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley