Recent action in the NHL playoffs saw the Toronto Maple Leafs secure a hard-fought victory against the Florida Panthers, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their series. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars edged out the Winnipeg Jets in the opening game of their series.
Toronto`s seasoned forwards were instrumental in making things difficult for Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The teams traded goals throughout the game, with the Maple Leafs holding a 3-2 advantage after the second period, thanks to a late goal from Max Domi.
Early in the third period (5:33 in), Panthers forward Anton Lundell netted an impressive equalizer, skillfully corralling the puck from his skate and flipping it into the open net to tie the score at 3-3. However, the tie was short-lived, lasting only 17 seconds. Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner sent a shot towards the net that somehow found its way high over Bobrovsky`s blocker, giving Toronto the lead for good.
In Winnipeg, the Jets struck first with a goal from Nino Niederreiter early in the second period. This goal, however, seemed to awaken Mikko Rantanen of the Stars. The Dallas winger then scored three consecutive goals in the frame, achieving a natural hat trick. His final goal came on an attempted pass that deflected off the stick of Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg and into the net during a power play, with the goal being credited to Rantanen. This marked Rantanen`s second straight game with a hat trick performance.
Rantanen`s standout play earned him a spot among the 3 Stars of the Night, highlighting top performers from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Playoff action continues on Thursday, featuring the Capitals attempting to even their series against the Hurricanes and the Golden Knights hosting the Oilers for Game 2.
Find the comprehensive schedule and results for all matchups below.
- Round 2
- (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- (1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
- (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars
- (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Round 1
- (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
- (2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- (1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens
- (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
- (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
- (2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche
- (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
- (2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Round 2
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
- Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
- Game 3: Friday, May 9 | 7 p.m. | at FLA | TNT/truTV/Max
- Game 4: Sunday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m. | at FLA | TBS/truTV/Max
- *Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | TBD | at TOR | ESPN
- *Game 6: Friday, May 16 | TBD | at FLA | TNT/truTV/Max
- *Game 7: Sunday, May 18 | TBD | at TOR | TNT/Max
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
- Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
- Game 2: Thursday, May 8 | 7 p.m. | at WSH | ESPN
- Game 3: Saturday, May 10 | 6 p.m. | at CAR | TNT/truTV/Max
- Game 4: Monday, May 12 | 7 p.m. | at CAR | TNT/truTV/Max
- *Game 5: Thursday, May 15 | TBD | at WSH | TNT/truTV/Max
- *Game 6: Saturday, May 17 | TBD | at CAR | TBD
- *Game 7: Monday, May 19 | TBD | at WSH | ESPN
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars
- Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
- Game 2: Friday, May 9 | 9:30 p.m. | at WPG | TNT/truTV/Max
- Game 3: Saturday, May 11 | 4:30 p.m. | at DAL | TBS/truTV/Max
- Game 4: Tuesday, May 13 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN
- *Game 5: Thursday, May 15 | TBD | at Jets | TNT/truTV/Max
- *Game 6: Saturday, May 17 | TBD | at DAL | TBD
- *Game 7: Monday, May 19 | TBD | at WPG | ESPN
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
- Game 2: Thursday, May 8 | 9:30 p.m. | at VGK | ESPN
- Game 3: Saturday, May 10 | 9 p.m. | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
- Game 4: Monday, May 12 | 9:30 | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
- *Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | TBD | at VGK | ESPN
- *Game 6: Friday, May 16 | TBD | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
- *Game 7: Sunday, May 18 | TBD | at VGK | TNT/Max
Round 1
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators
- Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
- Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
- Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
- Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
- Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers
- Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
- Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
- Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
- Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
- Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens
- Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
- Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
- Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
- Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
- Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1
(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
- Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
- Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
- Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
- Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
- Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
- Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
- Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
- Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
- Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
- Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3
- Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
- Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche
- Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
- Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
- Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
- Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
- Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
- Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
- Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild
- Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
- Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
- Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
- Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
- Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2
(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
- Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
- Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
- Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
- Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
- Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4
