Five series of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, with two more starting on Monday. Meanwhile, the two matchups in the Central Division have progressed to Game 2.
This is the 4 pack game in the calendar:
Editor’s Pick
2 Related
What are the key stories heading into Monday’s game? Who are the key players to watch?
Read statistical insights from ESPN studies, a summary of last night’s collapse, and a game preview with Sunday night 3 stars from ArdaÖcal.
Matchup Notes
The Montreal Canadians of Washington Capitals
Game 1 | 7pm, ESPN
You may have heard about the 2010 playoff matchup between these two teams for the past week or so.
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In that postseason, the overwhelming favourite (and first-seeded) capital led by Alex Ovechkin was pissed off by the 8th-seeded Canadians for the spectacular performance of Jaroslav Harak’s goal. Harak has not left the tunnel this time for the hub (we assume). Instead, it will be native Sam Montenbe, Becancall, Quebec, who allowed four goals on 35 shots in his single start against the cap this season.
Washington’s Game 1 goaltender has not yet been revealed as Logan Thompson was injured on April 2nd. However, there is no doubt that there is a gap between the offensive power of the two clubs. Can Montreal stay in this series?
Winnipeg Jets’ St. Louis Blues
Game 2 | 7:30pm, ESPN2
The Bruce hangs with the Jets for most of Game 1 and looks more like a stronger team at a certain time, so when they pull out the series’ upset they stay on the table. But winning an unfriendly ice at the Canadian Life Centre has some advantage in changing momentum before the series moves to St. Louis for Game 3. Bruce proved that Connor Helebuick is not invincible in Game 1, and they were both led by stars Jordan Kirou and Robert Thomas, who were on the board.
The Jets have a mixed history after winning Game 1 of the Playoff Series, and on such an occasion they went 3-3 as the franchise (including Atlanta Thrashers Day). Like the Blues, the Jets were led by their stars Kyle Connor and Mark Shayfele, but the game-tying goal came from Alex Iafalo, who played up and down the lineup this season.
Dallas Stars’ Colorado Avalanche
Game 2 | 9:30pm, ESPN
The stars may prefer to start over in Game 1 after the visitation avalanche essentially controls the festival for most of the contest. Stars forward Jason Robertson missed Game 1 after being injured in the final regular season game. He scored three goals in three games against Colorado in the regular season. Additionally, teams that took a 2-0 lead in the top 7 series have 86% of their time.
Slowing down the stars in AVS is important in Game 2. With two goals in Game 1, Nathan McKinnon became the third player in Avanche/Nordic history, scoring 50 playoff goals and joining Joe Sakic (84) and Peter Forsberg (58). With 60 assists in his 73rd playoff game, Cale Makar became the third-fastest defensive man in NHL history, reaching that milestone behind Bobby O (69 GP) and Al Macinnis (71 GP).
Edmonton Oilers of the Los Angeles Kings
Game 1 | 10pm, ESPN2
This was the fourth straight postseason that the Oilers and Kings met in Round 1, with Edmonton winning the previous three series. Will the fourth time be a charm to the king?
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LA went 3-1-0 with Edmonton this season, including shutouts on April 5th and 14th. Quinton Byfield was particularly strong in these games with three goals and assists. Overall, the Kings led the score this season by Adrian Kempe, earning 35 goals and 38 assists. Warren Vogel, who played 22 playoff games for the Oilers in 2024, scored a career-high 24 goals this season.
The Oilers enter the 2025 postseason with 41 playoff series wins. This is the second most common of the six non-original teams (behind the 44 Flyers). They have been eliminated by teams that won the Stanley Cup in each of the last three postseasons (Panthers 2024, Golden Knights 2023, Avalanche 2022). Edmonton is led by Leon Dry Saitole, who won his first Rocket Richard Trophy as the league’s top goalscorer this season, and Conor McDavid, who won the goalscoring title in 2022-23 and won the Contos My Strophy as the MVP of last year’s playoffs.
3 stars on Sunday in Arda
Over the past few seasons, much of the postseason story of Leaf has been the lack of production from the core 4. So this was a dream game one against Ottawa (one goal, two assists), Nylander (one goal, one assist), John Tavares (one goal, one assist), and Matthews (two assists) in a 6-2 victory at Ottawa in Toronto.
Stankoven’s two goals in the second term were 4-1 wins in Game 1. Stankoven is the second player in the history of the Hurricane/Whalers, scoring twice in his first playoff game against the club (the other was Andrei Svechnikov from Game 1 in 2019’s first round)
Howden had two third-term goals for the Golden Knights’ victory over the Wild in Game 1.
Sunday Results
Hurricane 4, Devils 1
Carolina leads 1-0
The Hurricane thanked the loud crowd in the house, and quickly led from the Jalenchat Field stick at 2:24 in the first period. Logan Sternven, who came in the Mikko Lantanen trade, won a pair in the second term, and the wand never turned around. On the Devils’ side, the injury kicked Brenden Dillon and Cody Glass out of the game, and Luke Hughes left for the third season but managed to return. Complete summary.
play
0:44
Logan Stankoven’s second goal gives the Hurricane a 3-0 lead
Logan Stankoven notch the second goal of the game to give the Hurricane a 3-0 lead.
Maple Leafs 6, Senator 2
Toronto leads 1-0
The first skirmish at the Battle of Ontario goes to the home side as the senators cannot be kept very close by this. Oliver Ekman Larson and Mitch Marner scored first, John Tavares and William Nylander tallied for the second time, while Morgan Rierry and Matthew Neese came in third. Drake Basserson and Leedley Graig – a controversial empty net goal scorer against Toronto in 2024 – scored in Ottawa. Complete summary.
play
0:42
William Nylander returns home with his goal of filling the Maple Leafs lead
William Nylander zips the puck past the goalkeeper to give the Maple Leafs a 4-1 lead.
Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
Las Vegas leads 1-0
In Sunday’s nightcap, the two teams matched the first two equally in the first two periods, with Vegas taking a 2-1 lead. Brett Howden then put his magic into working and scored the goal of filling the Knights’ lead 2:28 in the frame, placing the game in bed with an empty netter who beats the buzzer. Wild was led by Matt Boldy. Matt Boldy had two goals. Both were supported by Kiril Kaprizov. Complete summary.
play
0:31
Brett Howden fills the wild with a buzzer goal in Game 1
Brett Howden sends Game 1 Minnesota Wildpacking with an empty net goal for the Golden Knights in the final seconds.
