The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs have already featured numerous twists and turns, including players returning from significant injuries and others competing while dealing with various ailments.
Two teams hold a 2-0 series advantage heading into Game 3 action on Thursday. History favors these teams, as according to research, teams with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win the series 86% of the time.
Will this trend continue for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets? Or can the Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues manage to secure home victories to get back into their respective series?
Additionally, can the Florida Panthers earn another win on the road in Tampa Bay`s arena? And who will claim the pivotal Game 3 victory in the series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild?
Explore the previews for tonight`s games, including statistical insights. Below you`ll also find recaps of Wednesday`s results and Arda Öcal`s Three Stars from the night.
Matchup Notes
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 3 (FLA leads 2-0)
With the Panthers holding a 2-0 lead, betting odds now favor Florida significantly to win the series, adjusted from nearly even before Game 1.
Matthew Tkachuk returned after more than two months sidelined and scored two goals in Game 1, helping the Panthers secure a victory in the Battle of Florida. Matthew and his brother Brady both tallied goals on Tuesday, marking the 83rd occasion in Stanley Cup playoffs history where two brothers scored on the same day.
Sergei Bobrovsky has been instrumental in the Panthers` recent playoff success. His Game 1 win was his 45th career playoff victory, placing him fifth all-time among goalies born outside North America. The leader in this category is his opponent, Andrei Vasilevskiy, with 66 playoff wins.
Nikita Kucherov, the regular season`s leading point-scorer and Art Ross Trophy winner, was limited to just one assist in the first game. Will the Lightning`s offense find its stride in Game 2?
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators
Game 3 (TOR leads 2-0)
The Maple Leafs are halfway to winning just their second playoff series in two decades in this Battle of Ontario matchup. Notably, this is the first time the Leafs have taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series since their 2002 series win against the New York Islanders.
Max Domi was the hero for the Leafs in Game 2, scoring his first career playoff overtime goal. His father, Tie Domi, played 98 playoff games but never recorded an overtime winner, known more for his physical play than scoring prowess.
Toronto`s key players continue to lead the way. John Tavares (two goals, two assists), Mitch Marner (one goal, three assists), William Nylander (one goal, two assists), and Auston Matthews (three assists) top the team`s playoff scoring charts. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz has also performed well, becoming the sixth goalie in Leafs history to win his first two playoff games with the franchise.
A potential path for Ottawa to stage a comeback relies heavily on goaltender Linus Ullmark. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner has struggled through the first two games, allowing nine goals on 45 shots for an .800 save percentage. In contrast, Ullmark allowed only two goals on 50 shots against Toronto during the regular season, both resulting in wins for the Senators.
Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild
Game 3 (series tied 1-1)
This Game 3 is particularly significant because the winner of Game 3 in a series tied 1-1 has historically gone on to win the series 66% of the time in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Wild played a strong Game 2, scoring three goals in the first period and maintaining control thereafter. Kirill Kaprizov showcased his talent, scoring two goals and making a spectacular assist on Matt Boldy`s goal. Kaprizov`s second goal tied him with Marian Gaborik for second all-time in Wild playoff goals (12).
For Vegas, “Playoff” Tomas Hertl has made his presence felt, scoring a goal in each of the first two games. The former San Jose Shark is the fourth player to score in his first two games with the Golden Knights.
The Knights hope goaltender Adin Hill`s performance improves after posting an .833 save percentage through two games. His save percentage was .931 in the prior postseason and .932 during their 2023 Stanley Cup winning run.
Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues
Game 3 (WPG leads 2-0)
Another historical trend working against the Blues is that Presidents` Trophy winners who have taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have won that series 95% of the time since 1985-86.
St. Louis will need to keep a close eye on Kyle Connor, especially in crucial moments. He has scored the game-winning goal in both games so far, giving him five career playoff game-winners, the most in Jets 2.0/Atlanta Thrashers history.
Blues rookie Jimmy Snuggerud, who was playing college hockey earlier this spring, became the second rookie to score in this postseason.
Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, who led the Blues in regular-season scoring and both tallied goals in Game 1, were held pointless in Game 2.
Arda`s Three Stars from Wednesday Night
1. Gabriel Landeskog
LW, Colorado Avalanche
Sometimes, statistics don`t fully capture the significance of a moment. The return of the Avalanche captain to the NHL for the first time since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2022 was a highlight celebrated throughout the hockey community. Welcome back, Gabe!
2. Adrian Kempe
RW, Los Angeles Kings
Kempe was a key player for the Kings, scoring two goals and adding two assists as Los Angeles decisively defeated the Oilers 6-2. The Kings secured both home games and now take a 2-0 series lead to Edmonton.
3. Logan Thompson
G, Washington Capitals
Thompson delivered a strong performance in net for the Capitals, making 25 saves. His crucial stops on dangerous scoring chances in the third period helped Washington defeat the Canadiens 3-1 and establish a 2-0 series lead.
Wednesday`s Scores
Washington Capitals 3, Montreal Canadiens 1
(WSH leads 2-0)
This game proved to be perhaps tighter than many anticipated. Christian Dvorak opened the scoring for Montreal in the second period. However, the Capitals responded quickly with two goals in rapid succession from Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome to take the lead. Washington held onto this advantage, largely thanks to Logan Thompson`s saves. McMichael added an empty-net goal just before the final buzzer, sealing the 3-1 victory and giving the Caps a 2-0 series lead heading to Montreal.
Dallas Stars 2, Colorado Avalanche 1 (OT)
(DAL leads 2-1)
The significant news from this game was the return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog after three years. A first-period goal by Valeri Nichushkin ignited the home crowd. But the veteran Dallas Stars team pushed back. Captain Jamie Benn tied the game midway through the third period, and Tyler Seguin scored the game-winning goal at 5:31 of overtime, giving Dallas a 2-1 series lead.
Los Angeles Kings 6, Edmonton Oilers 2
(LA leads 2-0)
After being eliminated by the Oilers in the first round for the past three postseasons, are the Kings finally poised to overcome their Alberta rivals? Continuing to score six goals per game would certainly help their chances. Brandt Clarke opened the scoring on the power play in the first period, and other Kings goal-scorers included Quinton Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko, Adrian Kempe (with two goals), and Anze Kopitar. Los Angeles` power play has been highly effective in this series, converting on five of ten opportunities.
