All four second-round series in the Stanley Cup playoffs are now officially underway. With the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets having played their Game 1 on Wednesday, we now have initial insights into all eight competing teams. A key question heading into Thursday`s games is whether the two home teams that lost their openers on Tuesday night can bounce back and level their series.
Thursday`s action begins with Game 2 between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes took a 1-0 series lead with a 2-1 overtime victory in the opener. Later, the Vegas Golden Knights will host the Edmonton Oilers for Game 2. The Oilers hold an early advantage after defeating the Golden Knights 4-2 in Tuesday`s Game 1.
Below you will find previews for these upcoming games, including key statistics, as well as a summary of Wednesday`s playoff results and a look at the top performers named by Arda Öcal.
Matchup Previews
Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals
Game 2 | 7 p.m. ET
The odds for this series have changed significantly after Carolina`s Game 1 win in Washington. Initially, the Hurricanes were favored at -195 with the Capitals at +165. Now, the Hurricanes are heavy favorites at -425, while the Capitals` odds are +300.
Jaccob Slavin scored the overtime winner in Game 1, marking his first career playoff game-winning goal. He is one of only four defensemen in Hurricanes/Whalers franchise history to score a playoff goal in overtime, joining Niclas Wallin (who did it three times), Tim Gleason, and Ian Cole.
Carolina`s defense was stout in Game 1, allowing only 14 shots on goal. This is the fewest shots allowed by any team in the current playoffs and the second fewest allowed by the Hurricanes franchise in a playoff game (the record is 12, set in 2024 against the Islanders).
Alex Ovechkin was limited to just one shot on goal in Game 1, ending a streak of 18 games (regular season and playoffs) with multiple shots. The last time he recorded one or fewer shots in consecutive games was during last year`s playoff series against the Rangers.
Pierre-Luc Dubois is currently on a 10-game goalless streak, including both regular season and playoff contests. His last goal came on April 10th, coincidentally against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Edmonton Oilers vs Vegas Golden Knights
Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. ET
This series began with even odds, both teams listed at -110 to win. Following Edmonton`s victory in Game 1, the Oilers are now favored at -225, while the Golden Knights` odds have shifted to +190.
Connor McDavid`s 39 career playoff goals rank seventh in Oilers franchise history. He trails Jari Kurri (92), Glenn Anderson (81), Wayne Gretzky (81), Mark Messier (80), Esa Tikkanen (51), and his current teammate Leon Draisaitl (45).
Edmonton defenseman Evan Bouchard was a key offensive contributor in the 2024 playoffs, scoring six goals during the Oilers` run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. He has already scored four goals in seven games this postseason.
Mark Stone scored two goals in Game 1, bringing his total to 36 playoff goals since joining the Golden Knights in 2018-19. This ties him with Zach Hyman of Edmonton for fifth in the NHL during that timeframe, behind Nathan MacKinnon (50), Leon Draisaitl (39), Mikko Rantanen (39), and Brayden Point (37).
According to Stathletes, the line featuring Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, and Ivan Barbashev has allowed more scoring chances against (seven) than they have generated (six) in the current playoffs. In contrast, during the regular season, this line had a favorable chance differential of 112-77 when on the ice for Vegas.
Wednesday`s Three Stars (via Arda Öcal)
1. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars
Mikko `Moose` Rantanen set another NHL record, becoming the first player in league history with two single-period hat tricks in the same postseason. Only three other players have recorded multiple playoff hat tricks in their *entire career*: Wayne Gretzky (three), Maurice Richard (three), and Tim Kerr (two).
2. Max Pacioretty, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
The former Canadiens captain opened the scoring and added an assist on William Nylander`s second-period goal. He is now on a three-game point streak, his longest since 2021.
3. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Just 17 seconds after the Panthers tied the game in the third period, new father Mitch Marner scored the crucial game-winning goal, securing a 2-0 series lead for the Maple Leafs.
Wednesday`s Game Recaps
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Florida Panthers 3
Series Lead: TOR leads 2-0 | Next Game: Friday
Game 2 was tightly contested, with neither team giving an inch. Florida`s Aleksander Barkov opened the scoring on a power play in the first, answered by Max Pacioretty. Brad Marchand scored 15 seconds into the second period, followed by William Nylander`s sixth goal of the postseason. The score remained tied until Max Domi`s first regulation playoff goal late in the second. Anton Lundell leveled the score at 3-3 early in the third, but Mitch Marner scored the game-winner just 17 seconds later.
Dallas Stars 3, Winnipeg Jets 2
Series Lead: DAL leads 1-0 | Next Game: Friday
As seen in many Game 1s this postseason, the first period was scoreless as the teams felt each other out. Winnipeg`s Nino Niederreiter broke the deadlock 3:30 into the second period, but then Mikko Rantanen took over, scoring a natural hat trick to give the Stars a 3-1 lead. This is Rantanen`s second consecutive game with a hat trick. Mark Scheifele scored his third goal of the postseason late in the second, but despite a strong third-period push, the Jets couldn`t find the equalizer.
Rupert Hartwell