The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs have already delivered unexpected moments, including the return of players who have been out with long-term injuries and others continuing to play despite various physical issues.
As Game 3 approaches on Thursday, two teams currently hold a commanding 2-0 series lead. Historical data strongly favors teams in this position; according to research, teams leading 2-0 in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win the series 86% of the time.
Will the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets maintain their dominant starts? Or can the Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues rally with home victories?
Additionally, can the Florida Panthers secure another win in Tampa Bay`s arena? And which team will gain a crucial advantage in Game 3 of the tightly contested series between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild?
Continue reading for detailed previews of Thursday`s games, featuring insights from statistical analysis, along with a summary of Wednesday`s game results and a look at the night`s top three performers as selected by Arda Öcal.
Thursday`s Matchup Previews
Game 2 (FLA leads 1-0) | 6:30 p.m. ET | TBS
With Florida holding a 1-0 series lead, betting odds have shifted, positioning the Panthers as clear favorites. Matthew Tkachuk made a notable return to the lineup after being sidelined for over two months, immediately contributing with two goals to help the Panthers win Game 1 of the “Battle of Florida.” Matthew and his brother Brady both scoring goals on the same day marked the 83rd instance of playoff history where a pair of brothers achieved this feat.
Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky`s Game 1 win was his 45th in the playoffs, ranking him fifth all-time among goalies born outside North America. The leader in this category is his opponent, Andrei Vasilevskiy, with 66 playoff victories. Regular season scoring champion Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning had a quiet Game 1 with only one assist; his performance will be key for Tampa Bay to bounce back.
Game 3 (TOR leads 2-0) | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2
The Maple Leafs are halfway to securing their first playoff series win in 20 years during this “Battle of Ontario.” This series also marks the first time Toronto has held a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series since their 2002 series against the New York Islanders, which they eventually won in seven games.
Max Domi became the overtime hero for the Leafs in Game 2, netting his first career playoff OT goal. His father, Tie Domi, played 98 playoff games but never scored an overtime winner, fitting his role as a pugilist rather than a primary scorer. Toronto`s key offensive players—John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews—are driving the team`s offense, occupying the top four spots on the team`s playoff stats sheet. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz has also been solid, becoming the sixth goalie in Leafs history to win his first two playoff starts with the franchise.
For Ottawa to mount a comeback, a strong performance from goaltender Linus Ullmark is essential. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner has struggled in 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, securing wins in both appearances.
Game 3 (series tied 1-1) | 9 p.m. ET | TBS
Game 3 in a tied series is historically significant; the winner of Game 3 when a series is knotted at 1-1 has gone on to win the series 66% of the time in Stanley Cup playoff history (240-123). The Wild responded strongly in Game 2, scoring three first-period goals and maintaining their lead against the Golden Knights. Kirill Kaprizov showcased his Hart Trophy-caliber form with two goals and a remarkable assist. Kaprizov`s second goal tied him for second all-time in Wild playoff goals with Marian Gaborik (12), trailing only Zach Parise.
For Vegas, Tomas Hertl, known for his playoff performances, has made an impact by scoring a goal in each of the first two games. He is the fourth player to score in his first two games for the Golden Knights, joining Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Jonathan Marchessault. The Knights will need improved play from goaltender Adin Hill, who has an .833 save percentage through two games, a dip from his .931 save percentage last postseason and .932 during their 2023 Stanley Cup run.
Game 3 (WPG leads 2-0) | 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2
History is also stacked against the Blues in this series; teams that won the Presidents` Trophy and took a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have won that series 95% of the time since 1985-86. St. Louis needs to find a way to contain Kyle Connor, who has scored the game-winning goal in both games so far, giving him five such goals in his career and setting a new franchise record for the Jets (dating back to the Atlanta Thrashers era).
Blues rookie Jimmy Snuggerud, who recently played for the University of Minnesota, became the second rookie to score a goal this postseason. St. Louis` leading regular-season scorers, Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, who both scored in Game 1, were held pointless in Game 2 and will need to contribute offensively for the Blues to turn the series around.
Arda`s Three Stars from Wednesday Night
1. Gabriel Landeskog
LW, Colorado Avalanche
Sometimes, individual statistics are secondary. The return of the Avalanche captain to the NHL ice for the first time since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2022 was a moment celebrated across the hockey community, transcending team loyalties. Welcome back, Gabe!
2. Adrian Kempe
RW, Los Angeles Kings
Kempe had an outstanding performance with two goals and two assists as the Kings convincingly defeated the Oilers 6-2. This victory secured both home games for Los Angeles as the series now moves to Edmonton.
3. Logan Thompson
G, Washington Capitals
Thompson made 25 saves, including crucial stops on dangerous scoring chances in the third period, helping the Capitals secure a 3-1 win against the Canadiens and take a 2-0 lead in their series.
Wednesday`s Game Recap
(WSH leads 2-0)
This game proved to be closer than many anticipated. Montreal`s Christian Dvorak opened the scoring in the second period. However, the Capitals quickly responded with two goals in a minute from Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome to take the lead. Washington`s lead held, thanks in part to heroic saves from goaltender Logan Thompson. McMichael sealed the win with an empty-net goal just before the final buzzer, ensuring the Caps take a 2-0 series lead to Montreal for Game 3.
(DAL leads 2-1)
The major storyline was the return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog after three years away, which ignited the crowd when Valeri Nichushkin scored in the first period. But the veteran Dallas Stars 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 crucial 2-1 series lead.
(LA leads 2-0)
The Kings have been eliminated by the Oilers in the first round in the past three postseasons. This year, they`ve started strongly, scoring six goals per game to take a 2-0 lead. Brandt Clarke opened the scoring on the power play in the first period, followed by goals from Quinton Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko, Adrian Kempe (twice), and Anze Kopitar. The Kings` power play has been particularly effective in this series, scoring five goals on 10 opportunities.
