Following a single game on Tuesday night, Wednesday`s NHL playoff schedule returns to the usual two-game slate. One of these contests could potentially spell the end for a recent Stanley Cup champion.
The first matchup features the Florida Panthers against the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the series currently tied at two wins each. Later in the evening, the Edmonton Oilers visit the Vegas Golden Knights. The home team, just two seasons removed from lifting the Cup, will be looking to avoid falling behind 4-1 in the series.
Continue reading for previews of both games, including statistical insights. Also included is a recap of Tuesday`s game and Arda Öcal`s Three Stars from that night.
Matchup Notes
Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 5
With the series deadlocked at 2-2, the Panthers are favored to win the series. Florida is currently at +400 odds to win the Stanley Cup, while Toronto`s odds are +900.
Historically, when a best-of-seven series reaches a 2-2 tie, the team that wins Game 5 has gone on to win the series 79% of the time in Stanley Cup playoffs history.
Each goal scored by Carter Verhaeghe further extends his lead as the franchise`s all-time playoff goal leader. He currently has 30, surpassing Sam Reinhart (24), Aleksander Barkov (22), and Matthew Tkachuk (20).
Brad Marchand, acquired at the trade deadline from Boston, holds a personal 4-0 record in playoff series against Toronto. He is tied for the third-most points against the Leafs in Stanley Cup playoff history with 33, matching Henri Richard. Only Alex Delvecchio (35) and Gordie Howe (53) have more.
William Nylander leads Toronto in goals this postseason with six. He is climbing the Leafs` career playoff goal-scoring list, tied with Steve Thomas and George Armstrong at 26 goals, ranking fifth. Ted Kennedy is fourth with 29.
Mitch Marner, another member of the `Core Four`, is nearing a career 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
Entering Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead, Edmonton is now heavily favored to win the series. The Oilers also hold the shortest odds to win the Stanley Cup at +260, while Vegas` odds are +3000. Only the Capitals have longer odds at +7500.
In their history, when leading a best-of-seven series 3-1, the Oilers have advanced 94% of the time. The Golden Knights have never successfully rallied to win a series after trailing 3-1.
Adam Henrique scored two goals in the first period of Game 4, after having only one goal through the first nine games this postseason. This was his second career multigoal playoff game, the first occurring in 2012 during the Devils` run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Connor McDavid recorded an assist on Evander Kane`s goal in Game 4, extending his assist streak to eight games. This ties Wayne Gretzky (1983) for the third-longest such streak in Oilers postseason history, trailing Leon Draisaitl (2022) and Glenn Anderson (1985), who both had nine-game assist streaks in a single postseason.
Vegas forward Mark Stone has 36 career playoff goals, tying Jonathan Marchessault for the Golden Knights` franchise playoff record.
Teammate Jack Eichel is getting shots on net but has only scored once this postseason. His 27 shots lead the Golden Knights, but among the 43 players with 20 or more shots this postseason, Eichel`s 3.7% shooting percentage is the lowest.
Öcal`s Three Stars from Tuesday
1. Mikael Granlund
C, Dallas Stars
Granlund achieved his first career hat trick, leading the way for Dallas. He now has multiple points in consecutive playoff games within a single postseason for the first time in his career.
2. Jake Oettinger
G, Dallas Stars
The Minnesota native stopped 31 of 32 shots to secure the win. He is the sixth U.S.-born goalie to reach 30 playoff wins, with Tom Barrasso leading the list at 60.
3. Miro Heiskanen
D, Dallas Stars
The standout defenseman recorded an assist and played just under 15 minutes in his first game back since January 28.
Tuesday`s Recap
Dallas Stars 3, Winnipeg Jets 1
DAL leads 3-1 | Game 5 Thursday
For much of the postseason, the spotlight has been on Mikko Rantanen for the Stars. However, in Tuesday`s game, center stage belonged to fellow Finn Mikael Granlund, acquired during the season. Granlund recorded his first career hat trick, scoring once in each period, which was more than enough offense to defeat the visiting Jets. Nikolaj Ehlers` goal early in the second period was the only shot to beat Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, as chants of `Otter`s better!` echoed from the Dallas crowd, taunting Winnipeg`s Connor Hellebuyck. Dallas takes a 3-1 lead into Game 5 in Manitoba, pushing to reach the conference finals for the third time in the last four years.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley