The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are in full swing with five series already underway and two more starting this Monday. Additionally, two Central Division matchups are heading into their second games.

Here`s a look at Monday`s four NHL playoff games:

  • Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals, Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET
  • St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets, Game 2 | 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars, Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. ET
  • Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET

What are the main stories to follow in these Monday games? Which players should you keep an eye on?

Continue reading for game previews with stats from ESPN Research, summaries of Sunday`s games, and Arda Öcal`s Three Stars of Sunday.

Contents
  1. Game Matchups Preview
  2. Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals
  3. St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets
  4. Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars
  5. Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings
  6. Arda`s Three Stars of Sunday
  7. Toronto`s Core Four
  8. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares
  9. Logan Stankoven
  10. C, Carolina Hurricanes
  11. Brett Howden
  12. C, Vegas Golden Knights
  13. Sunday`s Playoff Results
  14. Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
  15. Carolina leads 1-0
  16. Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
  17. Toronto leads 1-0
  18. Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
  19. Vegas leads 1-0

Game Matchups Preview


Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals

Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET

The 2010 playoff series between these teams has been a frequent topic lately.

In that series, the top-seeded Capitals, with Alex Ovechkin, were surprisingly defeated by the eighth-seeded Canadiens, largely due to an incredible goaltending performance by Jaroslav Halak. This time, Sam Montembeault will likely be in net for Montreal, having allowed four goals in 35 shots against Washington this season. Washington`s starting goalie for Game 1 is uncertain due to Logan Thompson`s injury. The Capitals were second in the NHL in goals per game (3.49), while the Canadiens were 17th (2.96). Can Montreal`s offense compete in this series?


St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets

Game 2 | 7:30 p.m. ET

The Blues were competitive with the Jets in Game 1 and could still pull off a series upset. Winning in Winnipeg would be a significant advantage before heading back to St. Louis. The Blues showed that Connor Hellebuyck isn`t unbeatable in Game 1, with strong performances from Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas.

The Jets` playoff history after winning Game 1 is mixed, with a 3-3 record (including Thrashers era). Like the Blues, Winnipeg`s key players, Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, performed well, and Alex Iafallo scored the game-tying goal.


Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars

Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. ET

The Stars will want to improve after the Avalanche controlled Game 1. Dallas missed Jason Robertson (injured in the regular season finale), and his return would be a boost. Teams leading 2-0 in a best-of-seven series win 86% of the time.

Slowing down Colorado`s stars is crucial for Game 2. Nathan MacKinnon`s two goals in Game 1 made him the third Avalanche/Nordiques player with 50 playoff goals, joining Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. Cale Makar reached 60 playoff assists in his 73rd game, the third-fastest defenseman in NHL history.


Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings

Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET

This is the fourth straight playoff series between the Oilers and Kings in Round 1, with Edmonton winning the previous three. Can the Kings change that this year?

L.A. was 3-1-0 against Edmonton this season, with shutouts on April 5 and 14. Quinton Byfield performed well in those games. Adrian Kempe led the Kings in scoring this season. Warren Foegele, formerly of the Oilers, had a career-high 24 goals this season.

The Oilers have the second-most playoff series wins among non-Original Six teams (41). They`ve been eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champions in the last three playoffs. Edmonton is still led by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.

Arda`s Three Stars of Sunday

Toronto`s Core Four

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares

The Leafs` Core Four had a strong Game 1 against Ottawa. Marner, Nylander, and Tavares each had a goal and an assist, and Matthews had two assists in Toronto`s 6-2 win.

Logan Stankoven

C, Carolina Hurricanes

Stankoven`s two second-period goals helped the Hurricanes win Game 1, 4-1. He`s the second player in Hurricanes/Whalers history to score twice in their first playoff game with the team.

Brett Howden

C, Vegas Golden Knights

Howden scored two third-period goals, including an empty-netter at the buzzer, in the Golden Knights` Game 1 victory over the Wild.

Sunday`s Playoff Results


Hurricanes 4, Devils 1

Carolina leads 1-0

The Hurricanes defeated the Devils 4-1 in Game 1, led by Jalen Chatfield`s early goal and Logan Stankoven`s two goals. Injuries affected the Devils, with Brenden Dillon, Cody Glass, and Luke Hughes experiencing issues.


Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2

Toronto leads 1-0

Toronto won the first “Battle of Ontario” playoff game 6-2 against Ottawa. The Maple Leafs maintained a comfortable lead throughout the game, with goals from multiple players. Drake Batherson and Ridly Greig scored for Ottawa.


Golden Knights 4, Wild 2

Vegas leads 1-0

The Golden Knights defeated the Wild 4-2 in Game 1. Brett Howden scored twice in the third period for Vegas. Matt Boldy scored both goals for the Wild, assisted by Kirill Kaprizov.