The initial round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs is heating up, with the potential conclusion of several series imminent. How many teams will secure their spot in the next round during the crucial games scheduled for Wednesday evening?
Wednesday`s lineup features two potential series-deciding matches and one tightly contested series currently tied. First, the Washington Capitals look to close out their series against the Montreal Canadiens. Shortly after, the “Battle of Florida” could wrap up; will the Florida Panthers earn their fourth win, or can the Tampa Bay Lightning extend the series to 3-2?
Later in the night, the St. Louis Blues visit the Winnipeg Jets in a series deadlocked at 2-2 after four games. A major point of interest in this matchup is the performance of Vezina Trophy candidate Connor Hellebuyck, who has faced difficulties in goal during the series.
Below are previews for these games, featuring statistical insights. The article also includes a look back at Monday night`s results and the top three performers as selected by Arda Öcal.
Matchup Notes
Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals
Game 5 (WSH leads 3-1)
Historically, teams holding a 3-1 series advantage in the Stanley Cup playoffs have advanced 90.8% of the time. The Capitals` record in this situation is 8-5, which is a 62% success rate.
Cole Caufield of the Canadiens has been shooting frequently, with 21 shots on goal (second most in the playoffs, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon). He also has had 11 shot attempts blocked, tied for second most.
Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson is one of only six first-year defensemen in playoff history to record at least five assists in their debut postseason series. This group includes notable names like Ray Bourque and Erik Karlsson.
Alex Ovechkin holds the record for most regular-season goals and is 13th in all-time playoff goals with 75. His next goal will tie him with Mario Lemieux for 12th place.
Anthony Beauvillier is the first player in Capitals history to record an assist in each of his first four playoff games with the team, and the fourth to register at least one point in that span.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 5 (FLA leads 3-1)
In the 2025 playoffs overall, home teams have a strong record (23-10). However, in this specific “Battle of Florida” series, the road team has won three of the four games played so far.
The Panthers have a perfect all-time record (5-0) when leading a playoff series 3-1, having clinched three of those series in Game 5. The Lightning`s all-time record when trailing a best-of-seven series 1-3 is 1-5.
Lightning forward Jake Guentzel is tied for fourth in playoff goals scored since 2017 with 40, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl, and Brayden Point.
Andrei Vasilevskiy`s performance has improved after a tough Game 1. He allowed six goals in the opener but only five combined across Games 2-4, achieving a .936 save percentage during that stretch.
Matthew Tkachuk is tied for the Panthers` goal-scoring lead in this series (three goals) and ranks third in franchise history for career playoff goals with 20 in 48 games with Florida.
Sergei Bobrovsky continues to lead all goalies in games played (47) and wins (31) since the beginning of the 2023 playoffs.
St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets
Game 5 (series tied 2-2)
Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck is experiencing another challenging postseason stretch. He has allowed 11 goals in the last two games and has now given up four or more goals in 10 of his 14 playoff starts over the past three postseasons (a 71% rate), significantly higher than his regular-season rate of 17% during the same period.
After a strong start with five points in the first two games (both Jets wins), Mark Scheifele has been held without a point in the two subsequent losses (Games 3 and 4). Kyle Connor has fared slightly better, adding one goal in the losses after accumulating four points in the wins.
Despite being outshot 31-23 in Game 4, Jordan Binnington was effective in net for the Blues, allowing only one goal. For this postseason, Binnington has a .907 save percentage and a 2.29 goals-against average. For comparison, during the Blues` 2019 Stanley Cup run, he posted a .914 save percentage and 2.46 goals-against average.
Cam Fowler, acquired during the season, is participating in his first postseason since 2017 and is making a significant impact. He leads the Blues with eight points (one goal, seven assists) through four games, already surpassing his previous career high of 10 points in 16 games during the 2015 playoffs.
Arda’s Three Stars from Tuesday Night
1. Linus Ullmark
G, Ottawa Senators
Ullmark achieved his first career playoff shutout, becoming only the second goalie in Senators franchise history (joining Craig Anderson) to record a shutout in a potential elimination game.
2. Sebastian Aho
C, Carolina Hurricanes
Scored two goals, including the overtime winner, completing a three-point night to propel the Hurricanes into the second round with a 5-4 victory. Carolina rallied from a 3-0 deficit by scoring three goals in four minutes in the second period. This was Aho`s 10th career postseason power-play goal, tying Eric Staal for the franchise record.
3. Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle
F, Ottawa Senators
Tkachuk and Stutzle are the first teammates in Senators franchise history to each record three points when facing elimination. They will have another opportunity when their team plays at home on Thursday.
Tuesday’s Scores
Ottawa Senators 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 0
TOR leads 3-2 | Game 6 Thursday
Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark, whose previous playoff results had been questioned, delivered a stellar performance, stopping all 29 shots faced. Goals from Thomas Chabot and Dylan Cozens, along with empty-netters from Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, secured the win for Ottawa.
Carolina Hurricanes 5, New Jersey Devils 4 (2OT)
CAR wins 4-1, plays winner of WSH-MTL
A thrilling game in Raleigh saw eight goals scored through two periods. The goaltenders then shut down play for 40 minutes before Sebastian Aho netted the game- and series-winning goal at 4:17 of the second overtime period.
Vegas Golden Knights 3, Minnesota Wild 2 (OT)
VGK leads 3-2 | Game 6 Thursday
The teams exchanged early goals, including a short-handed tally and a power-play marker. Mark Stone added another for Vegas in the first. Matt Boldy tied the game in the third period, but Brett Howden scored the overtime winner for the Golden Knights just over four minutes into the extra frame.
Edmonton Oilers 3, Los Angeles Kings 1
EDM leads 3-2 | Game 6 Thursday
After winning the first two games, the Kings now trail the Oilers, who have eliminated them in the previous three postseasons. Los Angeles scored first on a power play, but Edmonton responded with goals from Evander Kane and the game-winner by Mattias Janmark in the third. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added an empty-netter.