The second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs has entered the phase where hosting duties switch, with the visiting teams from the first two games now playing on home ice.
The Carolina Hurricanes returned to the Lenovo Center tied 1-1 in their series against the Washington Capitals. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers traveled back to Rogers Place holding a commanding 2-0 lead over the Vegas Golden Knights; Game 3 for this series is later Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.
As the series continue, key questions emerge: Will the Hurricanes take the series lead before it shifts back to Washington? And can the Golden Knights manage to win at least one game in Edmonton to ensure the series returns to Las Vegas for a Game 5?
Read on for detailed previews of these upcoming games, including statistical insights, a summary of Friday`s results, and the top three performers from Friday as selected by Arda Öcal.
Matchup Notes
Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 3 | Saturday, 6 p.m. ET | TNT
With the series tied 1-1 heading to Raleigh for Games 3 and 4, betting odds list Carolina as the -215 series favorite, while Washington is +180 to win the series.
Capitals defenseman John Carlson scored a power-play goal in Game 2, his 13th such goal in his playoff career. This breaks a tie and places him third among American-born defensemen in playoff power-play goals, trailing only Chris Chelios (14) and Brian Rafalski (17).
In Game 2, Tom Wilson achieved a personal postseason first by reaching these thresholds: 2 points, 3 shots on goal, 2 hits, and 2 blocked shots. His seven points this playoff run mark his highest total since the 2018 Cup-winning season, where he had 15 points.
The Carolina Hurricanes have not held a lead in-game since Game 4 of their first-round series against the Devils. They won that series in double overtime in Game 5, then won Game 1 of this series 2-1 in overtime after initially trailing 1-0. Since their last lead in the first round`s Game 4, they have trailed for 89:28 and been tied for 117:55.
Among qualified goaltenders this postseason, Frederik Andersen of the Hurricanes leads by a significant margin in goals-against average (1.55) and is second in save percentage (.930). The only netminder with a higher save percentage is Washington`s Logan Thompson.
Vegas Golden Knights at Edmonton Oilers
Game 3 | Saturday, 9 p.m. ET | TNT
Following two wins by the Oilers in Vegas, Edmonton is now heavily favored at -550 to win the series, with the Golden Knights at +380. Edmonton is also currently the favorite to win the Stanley Cup at +300, slightly ahead of the Stars (+325). Vegas now has the longest odds among remaining teams at +1800.
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid combined for the game-winning overtime goal in Game 2. This was Draisaitl`s second overtime goal this postseason, tying him with Esa Tikkanen (1991) for the most such goals in a single playoff run in Oilers history.
McDavid ranks second among playoff scorers with 14 points through eight games, trailing only Mikko Rantanen`s 15. McDavid`s 1.75 points per game this postseason is ahead of his career playoff rate (1.58) and significantly better than his rate during last year`s run to the Stanley Cup Final (1.36).
Victor Olofsson recorded two goals and an assist in a losing effort in Game 2. Both of his goals were on the power play, making him one of only two players in Golden Knights history, alongside Jack Eichel, with multiple power-play goals in a single playoff game.
Speaking of Eichel, he finished Game 2 with three assists, joining Shea Theodore and William Karlsson as the only players in Golden Knights history with two three-assist playoff games on their résumé.
Öcal`s Three Stars from Friday
1. Connor Hellebuyck
G, Winnipeg Jets
After a challenging first round against the Blues, Hellebuyck was stellar in Game 2, shutting out the Stars with 21 saves for the fourth clean sheet of his postseason career.
2. Nikolaj Ehlers
LW, Winnipeg Jets
Ehlers delivered his second career multigoal playoff game and added an assist, providing a significant offensive boost in Game 2 to help Winnipeg tie the series against Dallas 1-1.
3. Brad Marchand
RW, Florida Panthers
The former Bruin continued his history of impactful performances against the Maple Leafs, scoring the overtime winner to give the Panthers their first win of the series (Toronto leads 2-1). This was his fourth career playoff overtime goal and extended his NHL record for consecutive postseasons with a game-winning goal to nine.
Friday`s Game Recaps
Florida Panthers 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
Toronto leads series 2-1 | Game 4 Sunday
Toronto entered with a 2-0 series lead and built a 2-0 lead in the game with goals from Matthew Knies and John Tavares. Aleksander Barkov brought the Panthers back within a goal. Tavares added a power-play marker early in the second period, but the Panthers quickly responded with two goals to tie the score. Sam Reinhart poked in the first during a scramble, and Carter Verhaeghe finished a superb pass from Sam Bennett for the second. Jonah Gadjovich put Florida ahead 4-3, but Morgan Rielly tied it for Toronto midway through the third. The game went into overtime, and Brad Marchand netted the winner in the final five minutes of the first extra frame.
Winnipeg Jets 4, Dallas Stars 0
Series tied 1-1 | Game 3 Sunday
Connor Hellebuyck was outstanding, stopping all 21 shots for his fourth career postseason shutout, suggesting the Jets` goaltending could be a major factor going forward. Offensively, Gabriel Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers gave Winnipeg an early lead in the first period. Adam Lowry added his fourth goal of the postseason in the second period to make it 3-0. Nikolaj Ehlers sealed the victory with an empty-net goal late in the third period.
Rupert Hartwell