As the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs progresses, several series are heading to the home arenas of the teams currently trailing, some finding themselves on the brink of elimination.
Will the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, or Edmonton Oilers manage to turn the tide as they enter Friday`s games facing 2-0 deficits?
Game 3 is historically critical. In the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs, teams that establish a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win the series 86% of the time. This percentage increases dramatically to 98% for teams that take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Continue reading for detailed game previews incorporating statistical analysis from ESPN Research, summaries of the outcomes from Thursday night`s contests, and a look at the Three Stars from Thursday night as selected by Arda Öcal.
Matchup Notes
Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens
Game 3 (WSH leads 2-0) | 7 p.m. ET | TNT
Historically, the Capitals have a surprisingly poor record (4-6) when holding a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series, the only NHL team with a losing record in this scenario.
Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson has been a standout performer, making up for missing the Golden Knights` 2023 Cup run. In Game 2, he stopped all 14 shots in the third period to secure the win, boasting a .951 save percentage and 1.47 goals-against average in the series so far.
Forward Connor McMichael contributed significantly in Game 2 with the first multi-goal game of his career.
The Canadiens have seen goals from three different players, including key forwards Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, plus veteran Christian Dvorak, whose Game 2 goal was his third in the playoffs.
Despite Thompson`s strong play, Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault has also been reliable, maintaining a .921 save percentage and 2.49 goals-against average, numbers many teams would welcome from their netminder.
Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils
Game 3 (CAR leads 2-0) | 8 p.m. ET | TBS
Carolina continued an impressive pattern by winning Game 2, marking their fifth consecutive first-round series where they have taken a 2-0 lead.
Frederik Andersen made 25 saves in Game 2, securing his 13th playoff victory with Carolina, just one shy of tying Arturs Irbe for second place in franchise history for playoff wins.
Seth Jarvis is proving to be a key playoff performer. His Game 2 goal was his 14th career playoff goal, tying Sebastian Aho for the most postseason goals scored by a player age 23 or younger in franchise history.
New Jersey is hoping for positive updates on injured players like Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon, who were absent for Game 2. Hughes` absence is particularly felt, as he typically ranks second on the team in ice time.
Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom has performed well in the first two losses, stopping 66 of 71 shots for a .930 save percentage.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers
Game 3 (LA leads 2-0) | 10 p.m. ET | TNT
While the high-powered Oilers are always a threat, the Kings now have history on their side; the franchise boasts a strong 7-1 record all time when leading a best-of-seven series 2-0.
Los Angeles` power play remains a significant strength. Including the end of the regular season, they have scored a power-play goal in seven consecutive games and are an effective 5-for-10 in this series, contributing to their back-to-back six-goal performances.
In Game 2, Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar delivered exceptional performances, becoming the first pair of Kings players since Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey in 1992 to each record four or more points in a single playoff game.
Edmonton is hoping for a goaltending turnaround from Stuart Skinner, who was pulled after allowing five goals in Game 2. This mirrors instances from Oilers history (Grant Fuhr in `84, `85; Andy Moog in `81, `83) where goalies had consecutive five-goal games in series the Oilers ultimately won.
Edmonton`s top stars like Connor McDavid (four points), Evan Bouchard, and Leon Draisaitl (three points each) are producing, but secondary scoring depth has been lacking. Coach Kris Knoblauch might consider adjusting the lines heading into Game 3.
Arda`s three stars from Thursday night
1. Pavel Buchnevich
LW, St. Louis Blues
Delivered a crucial performance with a hat trick and an assist in St. Louis` 7-2 victory, helping the Blues avoid falling behind 3-0 against Winnipeg.
2. Kirill Kaprizov
LW, Minnesota Wild
Scored two power-play goals in the win over the Golden Knights, placing him in elite company (Mario Lemieux, John Druce) for power-play goals in his first 22 playoff appearances.
3. Nate Schmidt
D, Florida Panthers
Became the first Panthers defenseman to score two game-winning goals in a single postseason, netting the decisive goal for the second consecutive game.
Thursday`s scores
Florida Panthers 2, Tampa Bay Lightning 0
FLA leads 2-0
Defenseman Nate Schmidt scored the game-winning goal for the second straight contest, while Sergei Bobrovsky posted a shutout, stopping all 19 Tampa Bay shots. A major penalty hit by Brandon Hagel on Aleksander Barkov, which injured the Panthers captain, was a major storyline.
Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Ottawa Senators 2 (OT)
TOR leads 3-0
For the second consecutive game, the outcome was decided in overtime, with Toronto once again emerging victorious and pushing Ottawa to the brink of elimination. Power-play goals were exchanged by Claude Giroux/Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews/Brady Tkachuk before defenseman Simon Benoit scored the winner early in the extra frame.
Minnesota Wild 5, Vegas Golden Knights 2
MIN leads 2-1
In a surprising development, Minnesota has taken a 2-1 series lead against the heavily favored Golden Knights. Kirill Kaprizov scored two goals, contributing to the Wild`s offense which has now scored five goals in consecutive games and a total of 12 in the series.
St. Louis Blues 7, Winnipeg Jets 2
WPG leads 2-1
St. Louis responded forcefully to avoid a 3-0 deficit, securing a dominant 7-2 victory. Pavel Buchnevich was the offensive leader with a hat trick and an assist, while Cam Fowler added five points (one goal, four assists) and Robert Thomas recorded four assists.
Rupert Hartwell