The opening round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs has intensified significantly, with elimination games now on the horizon across North America this week. Numerous narratives are emerging, from netminders struggling and striving to rediscover their form to powerful physical plays escalating the already high emotions. Reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton, and Greg Wyshynski from ESPN have highlighted their primary observations as all 16 teams remain in contention – for the time being.
- Are Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets in trouble … again?
- Ottawa has life — until Toronto proves it can close
- Maybe don`t challenge, coaches?
- Are the Golden Knights about to turn the corner?
- No love lost in the Battle of Florida
- Everyone loves Tom Wilson (except those that hate him)
- More to Landeskog`s Game 4 performance than just his goal
- Goalie clinic turned to controversy in Hurricanes-Devils
- Can the Oilers beat the curse of the Western Conference?
Are Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets in trouble … again?
Despite losing Game 4 on Sunday to the St. Louis Blues, the Winnipeg Jets find themselves tied in their series, aiming to advance past the first round for the first time in three seasons. However, the trajectory for Winnipeg doesn`t look promising, as two-time Vezina Trophy recipient Connor Hellebuyck was once again removed early from a game.
In Game 3, Hellebuyck gave up six goals on 25 shots before being replaced, then allowed five goals on just 18 shots on Sunday. Observing how Hellebuyck would react after being pulled in Game 3 was certainly a point of focus.
Every Western Conference series has seen at least one goaltender depart early. This trend began with Stuart Skinner being pulled in Game 2 of the Oilers` 6-2 defeat to the Los Angeles Kings. Thursday saw both Hellebuyck and Vegas`s Adin Hill yanked from their respective losses. It happened again Saturday when the Stars relieved Jake Oettinger at the start of the third period in their 4-0 loss to the Avalanche.
Hellebuyck`s recent history of bouncing back from consecutive playoff losses has been problematic. After winning the opening game in last year`s first-round series, he and the Jets dropped four consecutive games. The same occurred in 2023 against the Golden Knights. In 2021, Hellebuyck lost all four starts against the Montreal Canadiens.
The last time Hellebuyck ended a two-game playoff losing streak was in 2019, leading the Jets to victories in Games 3 and 4 against, notably, the Blues, who went on to claim the Stanley Cup that year. Hellebuyck urgently needs to prove he can reverse his recent playoff fortunes. — Clark
Perhaps the most cutting moment of the 2025 postseason was the `WE WANT CONNOR!` chant from Blues fans after Hellebuyck was pulled from Game 4 in the third period, having conceded five goals on 18 shots.
Expert-level trolling. Winnipeg fans would appreciate it.
Why wouldn`t they want Hellebuyck back in the net? He`s just the seventh goaltender in NHL history to allow four or more goals in six straight road playoff games, a streak that includes series losses to Vegas and Colorado. He also became the second reigning Vezina Trophy winner ever pulled in consecutive playoff games, matching the Flyers` Ron Hextall in the 1988 divisional series.
Hellebuyck holds an .817 save percentage and a 4.24 goals-against average through four playoff games this year. Over his last three postseasons, his record is 4-10 with an .866 save percentage and a 4.27 goals-against average.
Contrast this with his last three NHL regular seasons, where Hellebuyck amassed 121 wins in 187 games with a .922 save percentage and a 2.29 goals-against average. That dominant regular-season performance has been entirely absent in the playoffs statistically.
Yet, anyone watching the Blues` 16-goal outburst against the Jets knows not all the blame lies with Hellebuyck. “You watch the replays of the goals that went in and there are deflections, screens, pucks bouncing off us and in,” stated defenseman Luke Schenn.
Creating traffic in front of Hellebuyck has proven successful for opponents in these playoffs. Roughly half of the Blues` goals have come with players screening him.
“If there`s people getting to the net, we`ve got to get them out of there before they get their screens. We`ve gotta box out earlier. There`s a lot of coverage stuff,” said Jets coach Scott Arniel.
Hellebuyck is, in a way, a casualty of his own excellence. We expect the player widely considered the best goalie in the world to be capable of fighting through screens and compensating for defensive lapses.
Arniel unequivocally stated he is “100% confident” in Hellebuyck for the playoffs. “There are things that we have to do to help him and he knows he has to do things to help us,” he added.
However, Arniel also noted that for Winnipeg to win two of the next three games, “our best players have to be better than their best players.” And undeniably, Jordan Binnington has outperformed Hellebuyck in this series.
On Monday, the finalists for the 2024-25 Vezina Trophy will be announced, an award Hellebuyck has won twice and is likely to win again in June. This award recognizes the best goaltender during the regular season. Connor Hellebuyck faces a real risk of his legacy being defined by his struggles after those initial 82 games. — Wyshynski
Ottawa has life — until Toronto proves it can close
1-12.
That`s the Toronto Maple Leafs` record in playoff elimination games stretching back to 2017.
It`s a disheartening statistic, much like the Leafs` 0-1 record in this series when trying to eliminate the Ottawa Senators.
There`s a common saying that the final win needed to clinch a series is the hardest. The Leafs have spent nearly a decade validating this adage. Toronto certainly had chances to sweep the Senators and send them packing for the summer in Game 4 on Saturday night. The Leafs had a four-minute power play in overtime, although without John Tavares who left earlier for injury evaluation.
Nevertheless.
Toronto had been effective with the man advantage, going 5-for-9 in the first three games; in Game 4, they were 0-for-4 on the power play. To make matters worse, they allowed a shorthanded goal to Shane Pinto in the first period. Far from ideal.
Credit must be given to Ottawa for their perseverance in securing the overtime victory. The Senators built a 2-0 lead in the first period, only to see it erased by the second. David Perron restored Ottawa`s lead, but the Leafs tied it again to force overtime. Facing that daunting four-minute power play (with or without Tavares), the Senators could have faltered, but instead, they stood strong. And Jake Sanderson`s goal ensured Ottawa would play another day.
Have the tables turned in Ottawa`s favor? The Senators have nothing to lose and can play with freedom. Toronto, conversely, is burdened by expectations stemming from numerous past postseason failures. But this iteration of the Leafs is supposedly different, right? Therefore, Toronto shouldn`t – or won`t – allow one discouraging defeat to spiral into two, will they? — Shilton
Maybe don`t challenge, coaches?
During the regular season, coaches who challenged scoring plays for interference were generally successful, winning 56% of 126 challenges. This meant the risk – incurring a delay of game penalty if incorrect – was often worthwhile.
Such a risk is acceptable over an 82-game season. However, in a seven-game playoff series, certainty is paramount – and so far in the 2025 postseason, coaches would have been better off refraining from challenges.
The first challenge was a somewhat desperate move by Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch in Game 1 against the Kings. Defenseman Jake Walman was penalized for shooting the puck over the glass for delay of game. He was convinced it hadn`t gone over cleanly, and the Oilers – trailing 5-3 in the third period at the time – supported Walman by challenging the call. The ruling was that there was “no conclusive evidence” the puck went off the glass “after a thorough examination of all available replays.”
Consequently, Edmonton received a delay of game penalty in addition to the initial one, though Los Angeles failed to capitalize on the ensuing 5-on-3 power play.
Other coaches were not as fortunate. Tampa Bay`s Jon Cooper unsuccessfully challenged goalie interference on Nate Schmidt`s goal that put Florida up 3-1 in Game 1. The league determined Eetu Luostarinen was making a play for the loose puck in the crease before Schmidt scored, which, by rule, is not interference. The Lightning were assessed a delay of game penalty. Matthew Tkachuk scored 14 seconds later on the resulting power play, extending the lead to 4-1 and effectively sealing the game.
But the most poorly judged challenge of the playoffs came from Kings coach Jim Hiller in Game 3 against Edmonton, seeking to overturn an Evander Kane goal that tied the game at 4-4 at 13:18 of the third period. It`s still unclear what prompted the challenge, or why the Kings would risk giving Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl a power play opportunity to break the tie – which is precisely what happened, as Draisaitl assisted on Evan Bouchard`s eventual game-winner.
“We got a good look at it. We took plenty of time. We felt it was goalie interference, so we challenged it. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose on those. Tonight we lost, and it cost us big time. No other way around it,” Hiller stated, acknowledging the obvious.
Thus far in the playoffs, the negative consequences of challenges have outweighed any potential benefits. — Wyshynski
Are the Golden Knights about to turn the corner?
For a franchise currently in a championship window, having already secured a title, discussions naturally arise about what it takes to win a second. For the Vegas Golden Knights, the collective strength has often surpassed the individual components, though those components themselves are formidable.
The Golden Knights` 2023 Stanley Cup victory was built on contributions from throughout their lineup. This was evident again on Saturday in their 4-3 overtime win, a result that prevented them from facing consecutive first-round eliminations with a crucial Game 5 on home ice.
Consider how Vegas secured the win. Shea Theodore netted the opening goal on the power play, and Nicolas Roy also scored a power-play marker to tie the game at 2-2. Adin Hill made essential saves to guide the Golden Knights through overtime until Ivan Barbashev scored the winning goal. All three goal scorers had been without a point in the series` first three games, and Hill rebounded after allowing four goals on 21 shots in Game 4.
The performances of Barbashev, Hill, Roy, and Theodore highlight the Golden Knights` ability to leverage their depth. Could Game 5 see similar breakthroughs from star Jack Eichel and captain Mark Stone? Both players, who were held pointless through the first three games, were also scoreless in Game 4 but showed signs of increased engagement, combining for 10 shots on goal – the same number they had collectively in the previous three games. — Clark
No love lost in the Battle of Florida
Naturally, it all revolves around Matthew Tkachuk.
Florida`s most combative forward was already creating problems for Tampa Bay in their first-round series, tallying three goals in the opening three games. Then came another significant impact – literally – when Tkachuk delivered a heavy hit on Lightning forward Jake Guentzel at center ice, resulting in a game misconduct during Florida`s 5-1 loss in Game 3.
Predictably, the debate over whether Tkachuk deserved supplementary discipline for the hit ensued – Guentzel was in the process of passing the puck and had released it just as Tkachuk made contact. There will be no suspension for Tkachuk – and the Lightning`s reaction to that decision remains to be seen in Game 4 on Monday night.
Players from both sides exchanged words following Tkachuk`s hit on Guentzel, signaling a clear increase in physical intensity. The Lightning delivered a definitive statement game on Saturday, scoring five unanswered goals to bring themselves back into the series. Now, the question is how this animosity will influence the remainder of the series.
Discipline is crucial for a deep playoff run; it`s especially vital for Tampa Bay given the Panthers` potent power play (30%) so far this postseason. The Lightning securing that victory and now being further unified by Tkachuk`s hit on their leading playoff goal scorer adds intriguing new dimensions to the unfolding rivalry between these Atlantic Division opponents. — Shilton
Everyone loves Tom Wilson (except those that hate him)
Following their Game 4 victory, Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson was asked about the significance of teammate Tom Wilson to the team`s success. Wilson was seated next to Thompson, who turned and grinned broadly at the imposing forward.
“No need to make his head any bigger,” Thompson joked, before proceeding to do just that.
“He`s been huge for us. The heart and soul of this organization, right? When he`s making plays, big hits, we feed off that. Especially in our home rink, I think the whole building feeds off it. He`s a huge part of this team. We love him,” the goalie commented, then spread his arms wide to mimic Wilson`s head swelling with praise.
Wilson deadpanned in response: “That`s it?”
Like Logan Thompson, many admire Tom Wilson. Conversely, legions of fans and opponents despise him due to a history of hits leading to injuries and other unsportsmanlike actions. Montreal fans and players were certainly not fond of Wilson in Game 3 when he fought Josh Anderson in a skirmish that spilled towards the Capitals` bench, after which Wilson mock-cried while seemingly calling out an unidentified Canadiens player as a complainer.
“Things escalated,” Anderson said post-game.
Wilson exhibited more control in Game 4 – by his own admission, he wanted to stay out of the penalty box to impact the game on the ice and avoided penalties entirely. In the third period, his influence was decidedly felt: Wilson delivered a massive check on Montreal defenseman Alexandre Carrier at center ice moments before the Capitals gained possession, leading to Brandon Duhaime scoring to tie the game 2-2 with 13:21 remaining in regulation.
“It`s been a physical series both ways. Getting hit. Giving hits,” said Wilson, who also added an empty-net goal in the 5-2 win. “It was a big hit. The boys were able to score right after. That`s the way that hockey goes.”
Wilson has participated in the postseason with the Capitals since 2012-13. He`s experienced the pinnacle of winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 and the lows of playoff disappointments. It`s a credit to Washington that they haven`t given momentum to a potential Montreal upset, thanks to their Game 1 overtime win sealed by an Alex Ovechkin goal and their third-period comeback in Game 4, securing a 3-1 series lead.
“It`s a group that`s had different guys step up throughout the year. I don`t think there`s any panic when we`re down a goal. We believe in ourselves,” Wilson stated. “We got it done. It`s really fun to come to the rink.”
Few are more intimidating when they are enjoying the game than Tom Wilson. — Wyshynski
More to Landeskog`s Game 4 performance than just his goal
Any doubts about how Gabriel Landeskog would integrate into a Colorado Avalanche lineup significantly altered since his last appearance nearly three years ago have been addressed at various points during this postseason. However, his performance in the 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 4 on Saturday served as a clear reminder of what the Avs had been missing.
Landeskog famously scored 11 goals and 22 points in 20 games while leading Colorado to their third franchise Stanley Cup in 2022. His goal and assist in Game 4 against the Stars increased his career playoff totals to 28 goals and 69 points across 71 postseason contests.
Part of Landeskog`s consistent success within the Avs` system – whether scoring himself or setting up teammates – stems from his intelligent positioning on the ice, from battling in the corners for possession to finding space in the slot. These attributes were crucial to his one-timer from the slot, assisted by Brock Nelson, which extended the Avs` lead to 3-0.
Yet, the sequence that perhaps best exemplified Landeskog`s contribution occurred on Samuel Girard`s goal, which gave Colorado a 4-0 advantage. Landeskog, who received a secondary assist, passed the puck to Nelson, who then found Girard. As Girard prepared to shoot, Landeskog positioned himself at the net front, engaging with 6-foot-7 Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel to establish position and screen goaltender Casey DeSmith.
Landeskog`s significant presence not only helped the Avs level the series as it shifts back to Dallas but also represents a vital element that could propel Colorado deeper into the playoffs. — Clark
Goalie clinic turned to controversy in Hurricanes-Devils
New Jersey`s playoff run might already be over if not for the stellar play of goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Similarly, Carolina would likely not be in such a commanding position without netminder Frederik Andersen.
This battle between two top-tier goaltenders, keeping their respective teams competitive, has been a major storyline in the series. In Game 4 on Sunday, however, circumstances took a turn when Andersen was knocked over in his crease by Timo Meier and had to leave the game, replaced by young Pyotr Kochetkov.
No penalty was called on the play that injured Andersen and sent him to the locker room. Adding insult to injury, Meier immediately turned around and scored on the incoming Kochetkov, narrowing the Hurricanes` lead to 3-2. A painful sequence for Carolina.
It`s well-known that Andersen has faced significant injury issues. He missed 39 regular-season games following knee surgery and had finally appeared to be at full strength and healthy for the playoffs. Now his status is uncertain, and the Devils could potentially capitalize – thanks in large part to the magnificent Markstrom.
New Jersey has also dealt with unfortunate luck regarding blueline health, playing without Brenden Dillon or Luke Hughes since Game 1 and losing Johnathan Kovacevic in Game 3. It is Markstrom who has compensated for his team`s defensive shortcomings. The veteran has been outstanding against Carolina`s offensive pressure, giving New Jersey every chance to take and hold a lead. However, the Devils` struggles to score (they had only five goals through the first three games) haven`t exactly provided Markstrom with ample support. Regardless, the Devils goaltender has posted an impressive .929 save percentage this postseason, placing him just behind Andersen atop the playoff leaderboard for starting goalies.
Andersen has certainly earned his position at the top. He has been incredibly reliable for Carolina, consistently shutting down New Jersey`s attack. Andersen`s heroics in Game 3 were crucial, allowing the Hurricanes an opportunity to come back and win in double overtime. (His save on Meier in the second period was particularly spectacular.)
The way these two goalies have competed head-to-head exemplifies playoff goaltending at its finest. The conversation should be focused on which netminder can sustain their elite performance long enough to be the decisive factor in winning the series. Now, the key question for the Hurricanes is who will be available going forward – Andersen or the emerging Kochetkov? The answer could have significant long-term implications for Carolina. — Shilton
Can the Oilers beat the curse of the Western Conference?
Alright. Perhaps calling it a `curse` is an exaggeration in this instance. However, being the team representing the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final has frequently been followed by challenges in recent postseasons.
This pattern began in 2020 when the Stars won the Western Conference playing in the Edmonton bubble. They lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning and subsequently failed to make the playoffs the following season. Of course, there was no traditional Western Conference champion during the 2020-21 season due to the pandemic.
Fast forward to 2022. The Avalanche claimed the West and the Stanley Cup. But a year later, they were eliminated in the first round. In 2023, the Golden Knights secured their first title, only to be knocked out in the first round in 2024. Heading into the weekend, the Oilers were trailing 2-1 in their series against the Kings after losing the opening two games in Southern California.
The Kings-Oilers series has been peculiar, even beyond the fact that this is their fourth consecutive first-round meeting. A last-minute goal in a thrilling 6-5 Game 1 was followed by the Oilers conceding six goals for the second straight game in a 6-2 loss, which was then followed by another high-scoring contest where the Oilers won 7-4 in Game 3. It`s a safe bet that something else unusual could happen, like the Oilers either succumbing to the `curse` or finally breaking it. — Clark
