After a two-game opening night, the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs will continue on Sunday in the Game 1 trio.
Which teams will get the early edge of the series? Who are the key players to watch?
Read previews of the game, a summary of what went down last night, and the night’s 3 stars from ArdaÖcal.
Matchup Notes
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricane
Game 1 | 3pm, ESPN
These two teams split the regular season series with two wins. In particular, all four of these games were played before Devils’ Star Jack Hughes suffered a season-ending injury. The Hurricanes were led by Finland’s Sebastian Aho (29 goals, 45 assists) in scoring this season, with Sweden’s Jesper Bratt being the Devils’ main goals scorer (21 goals, 67 assists). The recent postseason clash between the two teams occurred in 2023, with the cane winning 4-1.
Editor’s Pick
2 Related
Ottawa Senator of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1 | 7pm, ESPN2
The opening Skullmish at the Battle of Ontario is the Senator’s first postseason appearance since 2017 and the first for Ottawa captain Brady Tokachuk. On the other side, this is the Maple Leafs’ ninth consecutive playoff appearance, with the series winning only once. Toronto has lost his ability to score in the past postseason, so scorer Mitch Marner (27 goals, 75 assists) & Co. I hope to reverse that trend. Toronto is a favorite of the series, but Ottawa has won all three regular season games between teams.
Vegas Golden Knights Minnesota Wild
Game 1 | 10pm, ESPN
On Sunday’s Night Cap, the wildcard Wildface sees one of the more complete teams in the West. Newly signed Minnesota defensive man Zeev Buium – fresh from his run to the NCAA Frozen 4 Final at the University of Denver – no action was seen in the regular season finale. How much will he be deployed in this series? The Knights will be coming to Wild In Wave, led by Center Jack Eychel, who won the Heart Trophy vote in the final edition of ESPN’s NHL Awards Watch. Vegas won all three regular season games between the two clubs, winning with a total score of 12-4.
3 stars on Saturday in Arda
Connor’s goal and two assists who flew the Jets’ offense in the game that sets the Winnipeg tone in the series, including a comeback from the third season. The team is still motivated by the exit of the first round of five games in the final postseason and wants to continue the president’s trophy vibe.
One of the best players in the game, he appeared on Saturday. Three points in Game 1 (on the road, below). It includes goals that won the final game and empty netters to help the avalanche take an early lead in the series.
Chemistry between Scheifele and Connor was on display. Center finished with three points in Game 1. This includes great plays to sign Connor later in the third term.
Saturday Results
Winnipeg Jets 5, St. Louis Blues 3
Jets Lead Series 1-0
The furious first period included goals for both teams as the club chose to throw a Haymaker at the start of the series, rather than patiently reading the opponent. The Bruce took a 3-2 lead 3-2 after a second-term tally from Jordan Kiro, but the Jets took over third. Alex Iafalo had a game-tying score at 9:18 for the third time, before Kyle Connor scored the game at 1:36 left, and an empty net goal with Adam Lowry tidying up the game.
play
1:30
The Jets score five goals in a thrilling game and beat the Blues
The Jets are the best Blues 5-3 in Game 1 of the Playoffs Series.
Colorado Avalanche 5, Dallas Star 2
AVS Lead Series 1-0
Unlike previous games on Saturday, these two candidates began with the first period of 0-0. But from the second season onwards, it was all avalanches. Artturi Lehkonen scored on one of the most unique goals in memory, and the puck came off the skate and went over Jake Ottinger’s shoulder. Nathan McKinnon added a power play tally after Loop Hintz pushed it 2-0 on him, and AVS never looked back. Hintz scored his own powerplay goal third, but AVS scored a goal from Devon Two, a final tally from McKinnon’s empty netter and Charlie Coyle.
play
2:01
AVS does a simple job of star in victory in Dominant Game 1
Avalanche scored five goals past the star to take the 1-0 series lead in a dominant way.
