As three out of the four second-round series have now completed two games, distinct patterns are starting to emerge. For some teams that were widely predicted to advance deep into the postseason, these early trends are not particularly encouraging.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, are currently trailing 2-0 in their series. They are set to return home to host the Toronto Maple Leafs for Game 3 (7 p.m. ET, TNT). In the later game on Friday night, the Dallas Stars will aim for another victory on the road against the Winnipeg Jets (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
Read on for detailed previews of these upcoming games, including statistical analysis provided by ESPN Research, a summary of the games played on Thursday, and Arda Öcal`s picks for the three standout players from Thursday`s action.
Series Previews
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers
Game 3 | 7 p.m. ET | TNT
Historically, the Maple Leafs have a strong record (84% win rate) in best-of-seven series after taking a 2-0 lead. The Panthers, conversely, have never won a best-of-seven series when down 0-2 (0-5).
This series features the two most prolific scoring lines at 5-on-5 this postseason: Eetu Luostarinen-Anton Lundell-Brad Marchand (eight goals) and Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner (seven goals, including the Game 2 winner).
William Nylander has scored in three consecutive games and has six goals and 13 points in the playoffs so far. He is only the second Maple Leaf in the last 30 years to score five goals within a three-game span, joining Alexander Mogilny (2003), and the first since Doug Gilmour (1993) to accumulate 13 or more points in the first eight games of a postseason.
With a goal in Game 2, Marchand now has 32 career postseason points against the Leafs, ranking fourth all time. He trails Gordie Howe (53), Alex Delvecchio (35), and Henri Richard (33).
Joseph Woll, stepping in for the injured Anthony Stolarz for Toronto, stopped 25 of 28 shots. His counterpart, Sergei Bobrovsky, allowed four goals on 20 shots in Game 2 and has allowed a total of nine goals through Games 1 and 2, which ties his second-highest total allowed in a two-game playoff stretch.
Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets
Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. ET | TNT
Following their Game 1 win, the Stars are now strong favorites (-360) to win the series, according to ESPN BET, while the Jets are underdogs (+280). The win for Dallas ended an eight-game losing streak in Game 1s.
Mikko Rantanen provided all the offense Dallas needed in the 3-2 win, scoring his second hat trick in as many games within a single period. He set a new record for the most consecutive team goal contributions (either a goal or an assist) in Stanley Cup playoff history with 12, surpassing the previous mark of nine set by Mario Lemieux in 1992.
Game 1 marked Jason Robertson`s return after sustaining an injury in the final regular season game. He played 13:44, including 1:00 on the power play, and registered one shot on goal.
The series opener also saw Mark Scheifele back on the ice, having been out since April 30 and Game 5 against the Blues in Round 1. Scheifele scored a goal and took seven shots in 22:36 of ice time.
Winnipeg`s Connor Hellebuyck and Dallas` Jake Oettinger are considered the top contenders for Team USA`s goaltender position at the 2026 Olympics. Oettinger won the first head-to-head duel, stopping 29 of 31 shots for the win, while Hellebuyck saved 21 of 24 shots in the loss.
Thursday`s Three Stars from Arda Öcal
1. Tom Wilson
RW, Washington Capitals
Wilson was crucial in the Capitals tying their series against the Hurricanes. This marked the first playoff game of his career with at least two points, two hits, two blocked shots, and three shots on goal.
2. Leon Draisaitl
C, Edmonton Oilers
Draisaitl scored the overtime winner, giving Edmonton a 2-0 series lead over Vegas. He is now tied with Esa Tikkanen (1991) as the only players in franchise history with multiple overtime goals in a single postseason.
3. Jack Eichel
C, Vegas Golden Knights
Eichel recorded three assists in the overtime loss to Edmonton. He now has eight points in his last five games (one goal, seven assists), matching his personal best for points in a five-game span during his postseason career.
Thursday`s Game Recaps
Washington Capitals 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Series tied 1-1 | Game 3 Saturday
After losing Game 1, the Capitals looked significantly different, with veteran winger Tom Wilson reportedly setting the tone. Connor McMichael opened the scoring early in the second period. John Carlson extended the Caps` lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal early in the third, assisted by Wilson and Dylan Strome. Shayne Gostisbehere brought Carolina within one with a power-play goal of their own, but Wilson sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
Edmonton Oilers 5, Vegas Golden Knights 4 (OT)
EDM leads 2-0 | Game 3 Saturday
Vegas initially took the lead early in the first period, aiming to tie the series. However, Edmonton responded with three consecutive goals in the second period (from Jake Walman, Vasily Podkolzin, and Darnell Nurse) before William Karlsson narrowed the gap late in the period. Evander Kane restored Edmonton`s two-goal advantage early in the third, but Vegas rallied with goals from Victor Olofsson and Alex Pietrangelo to force overtime. Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winner, securing a 5-4 victory for the Oilers and a 2-0 series lead as they head home to Alberta.
