The second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs has commenced with fierce competition, and the Central Division series featuring the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets is set to begin. Fans are anticipating this matchup.
What can be expected from the Stars and Jets in their upcoming contest? Following Game 1 of the Florida Panthers versus Toronto Maple Leafs series, will there be any lingering effects or adjustments for their next game on Tuesday night? Furthermore, what insights can be gathered from the initial matchups in the other two series that took place on Tuesday evening?
Below are previews for upcoming games, incorporating statistical data. Also included is a summary of the results from Tuesday`s games and a list of the top three performers from that night.
Matchup Analysis
Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Historically, teams that secure a victory in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series in the Stanley Cup playoffs have gone on to win the series approximately 68% of the time. This pattern was evident in the first round this year, where six out of eight series winners claimed Game 1. Specifically, the Toronto Maple Leafs have won 57% of their best-of-seven series when starting with a Game 1 win.
William Nylander`s two goals in Game 1 made him the first Toronto player since Wendel Clark in 1994 to achieve consecutive multi-goal games in the same postseason.
A significant point of concern moving forward for Florida is the availability of goaltender Anthony Stolarz. He stopped eight of nine shots before being forced out of the game following contact from Sam Bennett. Joseph Woll stepped in, allowing three goals on 20 shots in relief.
With two assists in Game 1, Brad Marchand has accumulated 31 career playoff points against the Maple Leafs, placing him in a tie for fourth most with Maurice Richard and Ted Lindsay.
Sergei Bobrovsky had a challenging performance in Game 1, surrendering five goals on 29 shots. This contrasts with his strong 1.77 goals-against average against the Leafs during their four regular-season meetings.
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets held the advantage in the regular-season series between these two clubs, winning three of four games and outscoring the Stars 13-5 overall. Despite the regular-season record, the Stars are considered the favored team to win the playoff series.
These two franchises have never previously met in the postseason. Neither the original Jets organization nor the current one has faced the North Stars or Stars franchise in the playoffs.
Dallas` Jake Oettinger and Winnipeg`s Connor Hellebuyck are prominent contenders for the Team USA goaltending spot at the 2026 Olympics and are among the most utilized netminders in the NHL. Since the 2021-22 season, Oettinger ranks third in total games played (including regular season and playoffs) with 274, trailing only Andrei Vasilevskiy (277) and Sergei Bobrovsky (275). Hellebuyck is tied for fourth over that period with Igor Shesterkin (270).
Mikko Rantanen reached several new personal bests with his performance late in the first round. He became the first player in Stanley Cup playoffs history to score a hat trick in the third period of a Game 7 and the first ever to achieve a hat trick against his former team in a Game 7. He also became the first player in NHL history, in either the regular season or playoffs, to record a four-point period in back-to-back games.
Stars captain Jamie Benn now has 28 career playoff goals, tying him with Dino Ciccarelli and Neal Broten for fourth most in North Stars/Stars franchise history. He trails Mike Modano (58), Steve Payne (35), and Brian Bellows (34).
Kyle Connor`s 12 points in the first round (four goals, eight assists) set a new franchise record for the Thrashers/Jets organization for points accumulated in a single postseason series. The previous high was 11, shared by Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele in 2018.
Playing in his 56th career postseason game, a franchise record, Adam Lowry scored his first career overtime goal to secure the Game 7 win against the Blues. He is one of only two captains in Stanley Cup playoff history to score a Game 7 overtime winner, the other being Steve Yzerman in 1996.
Öcal`s Three Stars from Tuesday
1. Jaccob Slavin
D, Carolina Hurricanes
Slavin scored his first career playoff game-winning goal in his 77th playoff game, leading the Hurricanes past the Capitals in Game 1 overtime.
2. Logan Thompson
G, Washington Capitals
Despite his team`s loss in Game 1, Thompson made 31 saves and gave the Capitals a chance to win the game throughout the entire contest.
3. Zach Hyman
LW, Edmonton Oilers
Hyman scored the game-winning goal as Edmonton completed its third third-period comeback this postseason, marking their fifth consecutive comeback victory overall.
Tuesday`s Game Recaps
Carolina Hurricanes 2, Washington Capitals 1 (OT)
In a hard-fought Game 1, the Capitals took an early lead in the second period before the Hurricanes tied the game in the third. Neither team could break the deadlock in regulation. Just over three minutes into overtime, Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin scored to give his team the win and an early series lead.
Edmonton Oilers 4, Vegas Golden Knights 2
The host Golden Knights started strong, with their captain scoring two goals in the first period. However, the Oilers dominated the scoring afterwards, adding four unanswered goals, including three in the final period. This comeback victory was the Oilers` fifth in a row in the playoffs.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley