The initial phase of the Stanley Cup Playoffs delivered compelling action. Two series in the Western Conference were pushed to the limit, requiring all seven games. Despite appearing close to elimination deep into Game 7, both the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets managed to advance to the next round.
Numerous outstanding individual efforts were crucial in teams progressing. The second round is set to begin, with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting last season`s champions, the Florida Panthers. Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen delivered a performance that significantly altered the outcome of their series against the Colorado Avalanche.
Here`s a look at three of the top performers from the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
1 — Mikko Rantanen, Stars
Taking on his former team in the first round, Stars forward Mikko Rantanen seemingly embodied the phrase “revenge is a dish best served cold.”
After contract extension talks failed, the Avalanche had traded Rantanen to the Hurricanes as part of a package that brought back Martin Necas. However, Carolina subsequently moved Rantanen to Dallas just before the trade deadline.
Rantanen had a quiet start against his former club, recording only one assist through the first four games of the series. Yet, he then unleashed a memorable performance over the final three contests. He tallied five goals and six assists during this stretch, with his Game 7 performance being particularly electrifying. Rantanen notched three goals and an assist, single-handedly turning a 2-0 third-period deficit into an improbable 4-2 victory.
He became the first player in league history to register four points in a period in back-to-back games, following a goal and three assists in the second period of Game 6. He completed his Game 7 hat trick with an empty-net goal.
The Stars winger truly demonstrated what it means to carry the team. Rantanen stepped up when the Stars needed him most, propelling them forward to face a Jets squad that required its own share of heroics to survive a scare from the Blues.2 — Anthony Stolarz, Maple Leafs
Anthony Stolarz has primarily served as a backup goaltender throughout his NHL career, but he finally had his chance to shine when the Stanley Cup Playoffs commenced for the Maple Leafs.
Stolarz spent much of the regular season sharing time with Joseph Woll, but Toronto coach Craig Berube opted to start the veteran netminder against Ottawa in the playoffs. In six games, Stolarz posted a 2.21 goals-against-average and a .901 save percentage, securing wins in four of his starts. Notably, Stolarz allowed two or fewer goals in five of the six games during the first-round series.
Stolarz stopped 11 of the final 12 shots he faced in the third period of the series-clinching game. The veteran goaltender surrendered just four goals total over the final two games of the series, which helped the Maple Leafs avoid a decisive Game 7.
The Maple Leafs could rely on Stolarz to close the door when the team required it most. Considering he had only played in one career playoff game before this first-round series, Stolarz certainly passed his test with flying colors.
3 — Connor McDavid, Oilers
The Oilers faced a challenging start to their opening round series, being outscored 12-7 in the first two games. However, with a player of Connor McDavid`s caliber on the roster, a team is never truly out of contention.
McDavid finished the six-game series with two goals and nine assists, continually rising to the occasion. The Oilers superstar delivered three multi-point performances, showcasing his exceptional playmaking ability throughout the series.
Facing a 2-0 series deficit, McDavid dominated in a situation where the Oilers desperately needed a victory to shift momentum. The Oilers captain recorded a goal and two assists, including the primary assist on Evander Kane`s game-tying goal in the third period of a game the Oilers ultimately won 7-4.
When the stakes are highest, McDavid has proven to be absolutely brilliant. While his impact isn`t always reflected in goals scored, McDavid influences the game in so many ways that opposing teams consistently struggle to contain him, much like the Kings did in the first round.
