After the exciting opening night with two games, the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs continue on Sunday with three Game 1 matchups:

  • New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes (3 p.m. ET, ESPN)

  • Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

  • Minnesota Wild vs Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Which teams will gain an early advantage in their respective series? Which players should you keep an eye on?

Continue reading for game previews, a recap of last night`s action, and Arda Öcal`s Three Stars of the Night.

Matchup Previews

New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes

Game 1 | 3 p.m. ET, ESPN

These two teams had an even split in their regular-season series, each winning twice. It`s worth noting that all four games happened before Devils` key player, Jack Hughes, was sidelined due to a season-ending injury. Sebastian Aho from Finland led the Hurricanes in scoring this season with 29 goals and 45 assists, while Jesper Bratt from Sweden was the top scorer for the Devils, scoring 21 goals and providing 67 assists. Their most recent playoff encounter was in 2023, where the Hurricanes emerged victorious 4-1.

Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs

Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

The first clash in the Battle of Ontario marks the Senators` return to the playoffs since 2017 and the first playoff experience for their captain, Brady Tkachuk. On the other side, the Maple Leafs are making their ninth consecutive playoff appearance, but have only won one series in that span. Toronto`s scoring ability has diminished in past playoffs, so Mitch Marner, their leading scorer with 27 goals and 75 assists, and his teammates will be looking to change that. Despite Toronto being favored in the series, Ottawa won all three regular-season games against them.

Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights

Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET, ESPN

Sunday`s late game features the Wild, a wild-card team, against the Golden Knights, considered one of the most complete teams in the Western Conference. Zeev Buium, Minnesota`s newly signed defenseman who recently played in the NCAA Frozen Four final with the University of Denver, did not play in the regular-season finale. It remains to be seen how much he will play in this series. The Knights, led by center Jack Eichel, who received Hart Trophy votes in ESPN`s NHL Awards Watch, will challenge the Wild. Vegas won all three regular-season games against Minnesota with a combined score of 12-4.

Arda`s Three Stars of Saturday

Kyle Connor

1. Kyle Connor

LW, Winnipeg Jets

Connor contributed a goal and two assists, boosting the Jets` offense in a game that set a positive tone for Winnipeg in this series, including a third-period comeback. The team is still driven by their first-round exit last postseason and aims to maintain their Presidents` Trophy form.

Nathan MacKinnon

2. Nathan MacKinnon

C, Colorado Avalanche

MacKinnon was a standout player on Saturday, earning three points in Game 1 on the road, including the game-winning goal and an empty-netter, helping the Avalanche take an early series lead.

Mark Scheifele

3. Mark Scheifele

C, Winnipeg Jets

The chemistry between Scheifele and Connor was evident. Scheifele recorded three points in Game 1, including a key assist to Connor for the game-winning goal late in the third period.

Saturday`s Results

Winnipeg Jets 5, St. Louis Blues 3

Jets lead series 1-0

The first period was action-packed with both teams scoring twice, choosing an aggressive start to the series. The Blues led 3-2 going into the third period thanks to a second-period goal from Jordan Kyrou, but the Jets dominated the third. Fueled by the home crowd, the Jets scored three goals, including the game-tying goal by Alex Iafallo at 9:18 of the third, followed by Kyle Connor`s game-winner with 1:36 remaining, and an empty-net goal by Adam Lowry to secure the win.

Colorado Avalanche 5, Dallas Stars 2

Avs lead series 1-0

Unlike the earlier game, the first period between these contenders was scoreless. However, the Avalanche took control from the second period onwards. Artturi Lehkonen scored an unusual goal off his skate past Jake Oettinger, which was confirmed after review. Nathan MacKinnon then added a power-play goal after a high-sticking penalty on Roope Hintz, extending the lead to 2-0. Although Hintz scored a power-play goal in the third, the Avalanche responded with goals from Devon Toews, an empty-netter from MacKinnon, and a final goal from Charlie Coyle.