Two crucial second-round NHL playoff matchups are scheduled for Sunday. The Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets are set to play Game 3, while the Florida Panthers host the Toronto Maple Leafs for Game 4. With one series tied 1-1 and the other standing at 2-1, these upcoming games are pivotal moments.
Dive into the previews for these key contests, featuring statistical insights and a summary of Saturday`s playoff action, including the Three Stars.
Matchup Notes
Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars (Game 3)
Following a split of the first two games in Winnipeg, the series now shifts to Dallas. ESPN BET currently positions the Stars (-170) as the series favorite, with the Jets listed at +140. Dallas holds the second-best odds (+400) to win the Stanley Cup, while Winnipeg is further back at +900.
Key Insights:
- Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck secured his 4th career playoff shutout in Game 2, stopping 22 shots. He is the first netminder in NHL history to record a franchise`s initial four playoff shutouts.
- Nikolaj Ehlers scored two goals in Game 2, marking his second career multi-goal playoff performance. This broke a 14-game playoff scoring drought for him.
- Dallas`s Mikko Rantanen saw his streak of five consecutive multi-point playoff games end in Game 2, finishing with one shot and a minus-1 rating in over 21 minutes of ice time. Despite this, he is tied for the playoff scoring lead with 15 points and leads all players with eight goals.
- Game 2 was the second time the Stars have been shut out in this postseason. Notably, their previous shutout loss in Round 1 was followed by a game where they scored six goals.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers (Game 4)
After the Panthers secured a dramatic Game 3 overtime victory, the series odds have shifted slightly, with Toronto (-125) now favored over Florida (+105). In the broader Stanley Cup futures market, Florida (+550) has slightly better odds than Toronto (+600).
Key Insights:
- Florida`s Brad Marchand scored the overtime winning goal in Game 3, extending his NHL record for scoring a game-winning goal in consecutive postseasons, a streak dating back to 2017. This was his 4th career playoff overtime goal, placing him 7th on the all-time list.
- Questions remain about the consistency of `Playoff Bob` (Sergei Bobrovsky). His performance in Round 2 (2.94 goals-against average, .875 save percentage) is below his stats from last year`s Cup run (2.33 GAA, .906 SV%).
- Toronto captain John Tavares scored two goals in Game 3, marking his 4th career multi-goal playoff game and his second against the Panthers. His previous multi-goal game against Florida occurred in 2016 while he was with the New York Islanders.
- Morgan Rielly continues to build upon his Maple Leafs franchise record for playoff goals by a defenseman, now totaling 15 career goals, surpassing the previous record holder Ian Turnbull.
Öcal`s Three Stars from Saturday
- The Final Seconds: Saturday night once again demonstrated the unpredictable nature of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This was highlighted by a unique play where a game seemingly headed for overtime ended in regulation due to a last-second deflection off Leon Draisaitl that resulted in an own goal.
- Reilly Smith (RW, Vegas Golden Knights): Smith scored two goals, including the game-winner off the Draisaitl deflection, in Vegas` 4-3 victory. He and Nicolas Roy scored 54 seconds apart in the first period, setting a new franchise playoff record for the fastest two goals to overcome a multi-goal deficit.
- Jack Roslovic (C, Carolina Hurricanes): Roslovic contributed two points, including his third career postseason goal, in Carolina`s dominant 4-0 win over the Washington Capitals, giving the Hurricanes a 2-1 series lead.
Saturday`s Game Recaps
- Carolina Hurricanes 4, Washington Capitals 0 (CAR leads 2-1): After a scoreless opening period, Carolina found the net twice in the second and added two more in the third. The Hurricanes` strong defensive play limited Washington`s opportunities throughout the game. Frederik Andersen earned his 4th career playoff shutout.
- Vegas Golden Knights 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 (EDM leads 2-1): Edmonton jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but Vegas responded quickly to tie the game in the first period. Vegas took a 3-2 lead in the second, but Edmonton tied it late in the third. In the final second of regulation, Reilly Smith`s shot deflected off Leon Draisaitl and into the net, giving Vegas a dramatic win.
