Home teams have shown strong performance in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, holding a 21-10 record thus far. The question for Monday is, will this pattern persist?
The action begins with Game 4 of the intense “Battle of Florida” series, which has already seen heightened physical play and disciplinary actions, including a suspension for Tampa Bay`s Brandon Hagel after a hit on Florida captain Aleksander Barkov, and a hard hit by Matthew Tkachuk on Jake Guentzel that did not result in a similar penalty. What further developments will Game 4 bring?
Later in the evening, a clash of Western Conference powerhouses continues as the Colorado Avalanche face the Dallas Stars in Game 5. Colorado aims to maintain the momentum gained from their dominant 4-0 victory in Game 4 on Saturday.
Below, you`ll find previews for Monday`s matchups featuring statistical insights based on ESPN Research, along with summaries of results from Sunday`s games and Arda Öcal`s picks for the Three Stars of Sunday Night.
Matchup Notes
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers
Game 4 (Florida leads series 2-1)
Historically, teams holding a 2-1 advantage in a best-of-seven playoff series have gone on to win the series approximately 69% of the time. The Panthers have a 2-1 record in best-of-seven series when leading 2-1, while the Lightning are 6-7 all-time when trailing 2-1.
Jake Guentzel contributed three points (a goal and two assists) in Game 3. His 40 career playoff goals are the third-most among active U.S.-born players, trailing only Patrick Kane (53) and Chris Kreider (48).
With his win in Game 3, Andrei Vasilevskiy now has 67 career postseason victories, ranking second among active goaltenders (behind Marc-Andre Fleury`s 92) and just one shy of tying Andy Moog for 11th on the all-time list.
Matthew Tkachuk scored his third goal of the series in Game 3, becoming the third player in franchise history with 20 career playoff goals (following Carter Verhaeghe with 26 and Sam Reinhart with 22). He is also the third Panther to reach 50 playoff points for the club (behind Aleksander Barkov`s 62 and Verhaeghe`s 54).
Aaron Ekblad`s return from suspension in Game 3 did not go smoothly. According to Stathletes, Ekblad and Gustav Forsling played 10:50 together at 5-on-5, during which the Lightning scored three goals.
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars
Game 5 (Series tied 2-2)
With the series tied 2-2, history offers a slight edge to Dallas, who have an 18-14 record in series tied at this point, compared to Colorado`s 11-12 record in similar situations.
Nathan MacKinnon has accumulated 52 career playoff goals, putting him six away from tying Peter Forsberg for second place in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history. Joe Sakic holds the top spot with 84.
Gabriel Landeskog marked his return to playoff action in Game 3, his first game since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, and scored his 28th career playoff goal in Game 4.
Mikko Rantanen has registered only one point (an assist) through the first four games, despite being active offensively with 12 shots on goal, ranking second on the team (behind Roope Hintz with 13).
Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger was replaced in Game 4, marking only the fourth time in his 49 career playoff starts that he played 40 minutes or less. Since 2022, Oettinger holds the second-most postseason wins with 25, trailing only Sergei Bobrovsky (34).
Arda`s Three Stars from Sunday Night
1. Andrei Svechnikov
RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Svechnikov scored a hat trick, powering the Hurricanes to a 5-2 victory against the Devils in Newark and giving Carolina a 3-1 series lead. Svechnikov is the sole player in Hurricanes/Whalers franchise history (spanning 45 seasons and 205 playoff games) to record a playoff hat trick, and he now has two.
2. Evan Bouchard
D, Edmonton Oilers
His two goals in the third period leveled the score at 3, setting the stage for the Oilers` overtime win and tying the series. Bouchard is now the fourth defenseman in Stanley Cup playoff history to achieve back-to-back multi-goal games.
3. Jake Neighbours
LW, St. Louis Blues
After recording two points across the first three games, Neighbours delivered a goal and two assists, as the Blues decisively tied the series with a 5-1 win in Game 4.
Sunday`s Scores
St. Louis Blues 5, Winnipeg Jets 1
Series tied 2-2
Despite being the clear favorite for the Vezina Trophy, Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck faced difficulties in this playoff game, being pulled in the third period after allowing five goals on 18 shots. Winnipeg initially led after Kyle Connor scored, but the Blues responded with five unanswered goals from Jake Neighbours, Tyler Tucker, Brayden Schenn, Justin Faulk, and Robert Thomas. The home team has claimed victory in every game of this series thus far.
Carolina Hurricanes 5, New Jersey Devils 2
Carolina leads series 3-1
After Carolina built a 3-0 lead, the Devils fought back with two goals in the second period. Hurricanes starting goalie Frederik Andersen left the game after a collision with New Jersey`s Timo Meier. However, New Jersey could not complete the comeback, as Brent Burns extended Carolina`s lead in the third period, and Andrei Svechnikov secured his hat trick with an empty-net goal.
Washington Capitals 5, Montreal Canadiens 2
Washington leads series 3-1
The atmosphere at the Bell Centre was electric. Washington`s Dylan Strome opened the scoring in the second period, but the Canadiens responded with two power-play goals from Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield to take a lead into the third. However, the Capitals demonstrated their strength, tying the game early in the third, taking the lead later, and adding two empty-net goals to clinch the victory.
Edmonton Oilers 4, Los Angeles Kings 3 (OT)
Series tied 2-2
This contest proved to be another back-and-forth battle. The Kings held a 3-1 lead entering the third period thanks to goals by Trevor Moore, Warren Foegele, and Kevin Fiala. However, the Oilers mounted a comeback with two goals from Evan Bouchard (both assisted by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid) to force overtime. Draisaitl then scored the power-play winner late in the extra session.
