The second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs has commenced with fierce competition, though the Central Division series is yet to begin. Fans are keenly awaiting the matchup between the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets.
Beyond that, the hockey world is watching to see the aftermath of Game 1 between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs as they prepare for their next clash. We also examine the outcomes from the other two series openers played on Tuesday night.
Here are game previews incorporating statistical insights, a summary of Tuesday`s results, and the standout players according to Arda Öcal.
Matchup Analysis
Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 2 | Tuesday night | ESPN
Historically, teams securing a Game 1 victory in a best-of-seven playoff series have gone on to win the series 68% of the time. In the first round this year, this trend held true in six out of eight series. Specifically for the Maple Leafs, winning Game 1 has resulted in winning the series 57% of the time.
William Nylander of Toronto made franchise history in Game 1 by becoming the first Maple Leaf since Wendel Clark in 1994 to record consecutive multi-goal games in the same postseason.
A key question for the Panthers moving forward is the status of goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who left Game 1 after sustaining contact. Joseph Woll finished the game in relief, allowing three goals on 20 shots after Stolarz had stopped eight of nine attempts.
Brad Marchand`s two assists in Game 1 brought his career playoff point total against the Maple Leafs to 31, tying him for fourth all-time alongside legends Maurice Richard and Ted Lindsay.
Sergei Bobrovsky faced challenges in Game 1, allowing five goals on 29 shots. This contrasts with his strong performance against Toronto in the regular season, where he posted a 1.77 goals-against average over four games.
Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets
Game 1 | 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
The Winnipeg Jets had the upper hand in the regular season series against the Stars, winning three out of four meetings with a combined score of 13-5. Despite this, the Stars are favored to win the series (-175) according to ESPN BET, while the Jets are listed at +150.
These two franchises have no prior history of meeting in the postseason, a first for both the Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets (including their previous incarnation as the Atlanta Thrashers).
The series features two top American goaltenders and potential candidates for Team USA at the 2026 Olympics: Dallas` Jake Oettinger and Winnipeg`s Connor Hellebuyck. Both goalies are among the busiest in the league; since the 2021-22 season (including regular season and playoffs), Oettinger ranks third in games played (274), just behind Andrei Vasilevskiy (277) and Sergei Bobrovsky (275). Hellebuyck is tied for fourth with Igor Shesterkin (270).
Stars captain Jamie Benn has accumulated 28 career playoff goals, placing him in a tie for fourth most in franchise history (including the Minnesota North Stars) with Dino Ciccarelli and Neal Broten. They trail only Mike Modano (58), Steve Payne (35), and Brian Bellows (34).
Kyle Connor`s performance in the first round, with 12 points (four goals, eight assists), set a franchise record for points in a single playoff series for the Thrashers/Jets 2.0. The previous record was 11, held by Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele from the 2018 series against Nashville.
In his franchise-record 56th career playoff game, Jets captain Adam Lowry scored his first career overtime goal to secure a Game 7 win against the Blues. He is one of only two captains in Stanley Cup playoff history to achieve this feat in a Game 7, joining Steve Yzerman (who did so in 1996, also against St. Louis).
Öcal`s Three Stars from Tuesday
1. Jaccob Slavin
D, Carolina Hurricanes
Slavin scored the first game-winning goal of his playoff career in his 77th postseason game, lifting the Hurricanes to an overtime victory in Game 1 against the Capitals.
2. Logan Thompson
G, Washington Capitals
Despite the loss, Thompson delivered a strong performance with 31 saves, keeping his team in contention until the very end of Game 1.
3. Zach Hyman
LW, Edmonton Oilers
Hyman netted the decisive goal for Edmonton, marking their third third-period comeback this postseason and their fifth consecutive comeback win overall.
Tuesday`s Game Recaps
Carolina Hurricanes 2, Washington Capitals 1 (OT)
CAR leads series 1-0 | Game 2 Thursday
In a tight defensive battle, the first period ended scoreless. Aliaksei Protas opened the scoring for Washington in the second period with his first playoff goal. Logan Stankoven responded for the Hurricanes midway through the third, tying the game. Regulation ended with the score deadlocked. Just 3:06 into overtime, Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin scored his second career postseason goal to secure the Game 1 victory on the road.
Edmonton Oilers 4, Vegas Golden Knights 2
EDM leads series 1-0 | Game 2 Thursday
The defending champion Golden Knights had a strong start at home, with captain Mark Stone scoring two goals in the first nine minutes. However, Edmonton dominated the scoring from that point onward. Corey Perry brought the Oilers within one late in the first period. In the third period, Leon Draisaitl tied the game, followed by goals from Zach Hyman and Connor Brown to seal the comeback win. This victory marked an NHL record fifth consecutive playoff comeback win for the Oilers.
