After featuring only one game on Tuesday night, the schedule returns to two matchups on Wednesday. One of these games could potentially signal the end of the postseason for a recent Stanley Cup champion.
The first game features the Florida Panthers facing off against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The series is currently tied 2-2.
In the later game, the Edmonton Oilers visit the Vegas Golden Knights. The home team, who won the Cup just two seasons ago, hopes to avoid a decisive 4-1 series loss.
Matchup Previews
Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs
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With the series tied 2-2 heading into Game 5, the winner historically holds a significant advantage, winning the series 79% of the time in Stanley Cup playoffs history. Florida is currently favored to win the series and has better odds to win the Stanley Cup than Toronto.
For the Panthers, Carter Verhaeghe continues to lead the franchise in career playoff goals with 30. Other key players include Sam Reinhart (24 goals), Aleksander Barkov (22), and Matthew Tkachuk (20).
Forward Brad Marchand, acquired at the trade deadline, boasts a perfect 4-0 record against Toronto in playoff series throughout his career. He is tied for third in points against the Leafs in Stanley Cup playoff history with 33.
On the Maple Leafs side, William Nylander leads the team this postseason with six goals. His 26 career playoff goals tie him for fifth on the franchise leaderboard. Mitch Marner is one assist away from joining Doug Gilmour as the only Maple Leafs players with 50 or more career playoff assists.
Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights
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The Oilers hold a commanding 3-1 series lead entering Game 5. Historically, when leading a best-of-seven series 3-1, the Oilers franchise has won 94% of the time. The Golden Knights, conversely, have never rallied to win a series after trailing by this margin. Edmonton is heavily favored to close out the series and currently has the best odds to win the Stanley Cup.
Adam Henrique made a significant impact in Game 4, scoring two goals in the first period after recording only one goal in his previous nine playoff games this season. This was his second career multi-goal playoff game.
Connor McDavid extended his assist streak to eight games in Game 4, tying Wayne Gretzky (1983) for the third-longest assist streak in Oilers postseason history. He trails only Leon Draisaitl (2022) and Glenn Anderson (1985), who each had nine-game streaks.
For Vegas, Mark Stone is tied with Jonathan Marchessault for the franchise record in career playoff goals with 36.
Jack Eichel leads the Golden Knights in shots on goal this postseason (27) but has only scored once. Among players with 20 or more shots, his 3.7% shooting percentage is the lowest.
Arda Öcal`s Three Stars from Tuesday
1. Mikael Granlund
C, Dallas Stars
Granlund earned his first career hat trick, powering the Stars` victory. This marks the first time in his career he has recorded multiple points in back-to-back playoff games within a single postseason.
2. Jake Oettinger
G, Dallas Stars
The Minnesota native stopped 31 of 32 shots to secure the win for Dallas. He becomes the sixth U.S.-born goaltender to reach 30 playoff wins, with Tom Barrasso holding the record at 60.
3. Miro Heiskanen
D, Dallas Stars
The star defenseman contributed an assist and played nearly 15 minutes in his return to the lineup, his first game since January 28.
Tuesday`s Game Recap
Dallas Stars 3, Winnipeg Jets 1
DAL leads series 3-1. Game 5 is Thursday.
While Mikko Rantanen has often been the spotlight for the Stars this postseason, Tuesday night belonged to fellow Finn Mikael Granlund. Granlund achieved his first career hat trick, netting a goal in each period, which proved more than sufficient to defeat the visiting Jets. Nikolaj Ehlers` goal early in the second period was the only puck to beat Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, as the Dallas crowd chanted encouragement for their goalie. Dallas now holds a 3-1 series lead heading into Game 5 in Manitoba, positioning themselves for a potential third conference finals appearance in the last four years.
