Apr 23, 2025, 08:00 AM ET
The primary 13 video games of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are within the books — thank you for in spite of everything becoming a member of the birthday celebration, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning — so every crew has had an opportunity to turn the brand new postseason model of itself.
Which groups and gamers made the most productive early impact? Who has room for growth? How will it all subject on the subject of the remainder of Spherical 1 and all the postseason?
ESPN newshounds Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski recognized their height takeaways off of the primary set of video games, protecting all 8 collection.
Learn extra:
Complete agenda
Intel on all 16 groups
Most sensible 50 gamers
Wyshynski’s bracket
Contender flaws
In simply two video games, the Avs-Stars collection as soon as once more proves that every one contributions are wanted
One in every of them earns simply reasonably greater than $1 million this season whilst the opposite has no less than 3 video games closing on his one-year contract value $775,000. But what they have accomplished has been instrumental in why the much-anticipated first-round collection between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars is tied at 1-1.
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Logan O’Connor is some extent clear of being tied for the postseason lead in scoring, whilst Colin Blackwell’s second-ever playoff target avoided the Avs from having a 2-0 collection virtue earlier than heading again to Denver.
It is not that premier abilities reminiscent of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Jake Oettinger and Mikko Rantanen may not play a job within the collection. However for both crew to stay advancing, they’ll want lend a hand from the supporting forged. That is one thing the Avs know all too neatly, as a loss of supporting forged has hindered them the previous two years, while the Stars bumped into that drawback all through ultimate yr’s Western Convention finals.
O’Connor is a part of the Avs’ fourth line that includes Jack Drury and Parker Kelly that has already accounted for 2 objectives and 7 issues; the ground six has scored 3 of the Avs’ 8 objectives via two video games. As for Blackwell, he is a member of the Stars’ fourth line with Oskar Again and Sam Metal that had 4 issues, with every ahead averaging greater than 10 mins of ice time. The Stars’ bottom-six workforce at huge was once liable for two in their 3 objectives in Recreation 2. — Clark
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Colin Blackwell comes up with large OT winner for Stars
Colin Blackwell sends the Stars devoted into jubilation with a super additional time winner to tie the collection at 1-1 vs. the Avalanche.
Can the Core 4 in truth dominate a playoff collection?
The Maple Leafs’ Core 4 heard the ones criticisms about their previous playoff performances — and they have begun to factor a rebuttal. In Recreation 1 of Toronto’s collection towards Ottawa, Mitch Marner led the way in which with 3 issues, and all of William Nylander, Auston Matthews and John Tavares added a couple of issues. Tavares added a target and an help in Recreation 2, whilst Marner, Nylander and Matthews all picked up assists.
Marner’s efforts had been specifically noteworthy given his historical past of stumbles within the postseason. He had simply 3 issues in seven playoff video games ultimate season (any other first-round go out for Toronto) and, on this ever-important contract yr, Marner had additional incentive to turn he may also be at his splendid when it issues maximum.
If Marner & Co. are in spite of everything primed to be big-time manufacturers within the league’s moment season (as they so frequently are for the ones first 82 tilts), then the Leafs could also be on their strategy to in truth enjoyable some long-anticipated postseason attainable. As a result of regardless of how robust Toronto’s goaltending is or how a lot stepped forward their defensive play is, the tide has at all times grew to become with the Leafs’ height strikers.
The place the 4 cross, Toronto will observe. Proper? — Shilton
The previous man has nonetheless were given it
Every time Alex Ovechkin rankings objectives, particularly at house in D.C., I feel again to one thing Tom Wilson stated previous this season all through the Capitals captain’s a hit pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time objectives document.
“There may be just a bit further pleasure each and every time he rankings,” Wilson stated. “Everybody [on our bench] more or less jumps in the course of the roof every time he unearths the again of the online — which is becoming as a result of he is at all times probably the most excited man at the ice when anyone else rankings.”
Have a look at Recreation 1 towards Montreal when Ovechkin scored at the chronic play to provide the Caps a 1-0 lead and the roof got here off where. Have a look at the birthday party each from Ovi and the Caps when he ended the sport in additional time — reasonably extremely, the primary postseason additional time target of his storied profession.
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Alex Ovechkin’s OT target wins Recreation 1 for Capitals
Alex Ovechkin’s moment target of the sport is an additional time winner that provides the Capitals a 1-0 collection lead vs. the Canadiens.
From the scoreboard to the dressing room to the vibes, he is the pacesetter for this crew. It is arduous to name his season underappreciated given the fanfare of breaking Gretzky’s document, however has there been a extra lost sight of MVP efficiency within the Hart Trophy race than Ovechkin’s this season?
Here is what MVPs do: They upward thrust to the instant in essential spots. The Canadiens are seeking to pull an enormous disenchanted within the first around. Their robust 3rd length to tie the sport towards a too-comfortable Washington crew despatched the sport to additional time. A win within the further consultation and all of the ones ghosts from previous playoff humiliations may get started haunting the Capitals. Ovechkin is aware of the ones ghosts. He has felt the strain that builds in D.C. when issues cross flawed towards a decrease seed. And he close the door. Needless to say if the Capitals arrange to snuff out this disenchanted bid. — Wyshynski
Are we these days looking at the most productive model of Mark Scheifele … ever?
Few groups have confronted the type of questions the Winnipeg Jets have encountered for a number of years, as a result of that is what occurs when a crew has made it out of the primary around most effective two times since 2011. The Jets’ 2-1 win Monday in Recreation 2 towards the St. Louis Blues method they now have a 2-0 collection lead for the primary time for the reason that 2021 postseason, which was once additionally the ultimate time they gained a playoff collection.
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Now there is any other query: How dominant can Mark Scheifele be this postseason?
Consistency has been on the center of Scheifele turning into a accountable, two-way heart who has authored 10 consecutive seasons of greater than 20 objectives and 60 issues. This season, he completed with a career-high 87 issues, whilst his 39 objectives had been his second-highest ever.
Via two video games towards the Blues, Scheifele has both scored or created all however two of the Jets’ seven objectives. Kyle Connor is the one Jets ahead who has logged extra 5-on-5 ice time than Scheifele. Even then, it is only a distinction of 31 seconds. The Blues have failed to attain in 5-on-5 play when Schiefele has been at the ice, and they have got mustered most effective two high-danger scoring probabilities in that point.
But probably the most jarring side of what he is doing? He is only a level shy of matching what he did in ultimate yr’s playoffs when the Jets had been eradicated in 5 video games, whilst being two issues in need of tying what number of playoff issues he has had over the last two years general. — Clark
It is the Tkachuks’ global (we are simply dwelling in it)
Historical past was once made on Tuesday night time: For the primary time within the NHL, two Tkachuks competed in Stanley Cup playoff video games at the identical night time — and scored objectives.
Matthew Tkachuk isn’t any stranger to the postseason, having gave the impression in 72 video games all through his profession with the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers — 45 of them over the last 3 seasons. However Brady Tkachuk needed to wait seven seasons till the Ottawa Senators made the reduce, and he made his postseason debut in Spherical 1 towards the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Brady Tkachuk scored his first playoff target in Recreation 2. He despatched a between-the-legs move in entrance of the online at the chronic play that deflected off the skate of Brandon Carlo and into the online. The Senators rallied to ship the sport to additional time, however Toronto took a 2-0 collection lead on a Max Domi target within the further consultation.
“There is no ounce of panic or doubt on this locker room. We are taking a look ahead to getting house,” Brady stated. “Issues occur. You are now not at all times going to get the bounces So be it. It is simply going to make it that a lot sweeter.”
Matthew Tkachuk performed his first sport since being injured within the 4 International locations Face-Off again in February, and he right away made an affect. It was once a damaging one in the beginning: Taking a roughing penalty towards Nikita Kucherov within the first length that resulted in Jake Guentzel’s game-tying target. However he greater than atoned for that sin with back-to-back power-play objectives in the second one length to make it 5-1 for Florida. He added an help on Nate Schmidt’s power-play target within the 3rd.
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Matthew Tkachuk rankings via chaos for Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk rankings his moment power-play target of the second one length to provide the Panthers a 5-1 lead over the Lightning.
“What was once on show was once the palms. He has a fantastic set of palms,” stated Florida trainer Paul Maurice, who in a different way felt that Tkachuk “wasn’t within the rhythm of the sport” after his layoff.
This means that there is room for growth. Which is horrifying for the Lightning.
(Additionally horrifying: We have but to peer Tkachuck and Brad Marchand at the identical line in combination, combining their powers for the apex of on-ice hockey trolling.)
The NHL playoff layout is such that the Tkachuks may just face every different in the second one around if the Panthers advance previous the Lightning and the Senators disenchanted the Maple Leafs. One result appears to be like much more imaginable in this day and age. However by no means depend out a motivated Tkachuk. — Wyshynski
Carolina’s contemporary faces becoming in tremendous
The Hurricanes could have moved on from one all-star ahead in Mikko Rantanen. However the skaters GM Erik Tulsky has dropped at the Hurricanes — and due to this fact retained — are nonetheless making their presence felt.
Logan Stankoven was once the center-piece of Carolina’s go back in buying and selling Rantanen to Dallas, and the emerging megastar pumped in two objectives towards New Jersey in Recreation 1. Even earlier than the postseason, Stankoven appeared like a super are compatible for the Canes. The 22-year-old performs their taste of sport — he is relentless scuffling with for pucks, forechecks with conviction and has playmaking abilities to spare. The best way Stankoven has cultivated a herbal chemistry with Jordan Staal is the whole lot Carolina can have was hoping for when he got here on board. That Stankoven is giving the Hurricanes intensity scoring when that has been an Achilles’ heel in playoffs previous? It is very best. And he is not the one one giving Carolina its cash’s value.
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Logan Stankoven’s second target offers Hurricanes a 3-0 lead
Logan Stankoven notches his moment target of the sport to provide the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead.
Tulsky additionally bought veteran ahead Taylor Corridor midseason, and his early playoff efficiency has been promising. Corridor’s line with Andrei Svechnikov and Jesperi Kotkaniemi was once very good in Recreation 1 — even with out breaking onto the ranking sheet — producing 12 pictures on target and out-chancing the Devils 20-6. They can be a important weapon for the Hurricanes as those playoffs roll alongside.
Most significantly, Carolina does not really feel so top-heavy now. The Hurricanes had been tripped up earlier than through diminishing offensive members in an extended postseason run. The best way their contemporary faces are becoming in, even though, places Carolina on a promising observe to bigger playoff luck. — Shilton
What model of the Kings will display up in Recreation 2 towards the Oilers?
For the entire strides the Los Angeles Kings made in Jim Hiller’s first complete season, no one rather knew what to anticipate as soon as the postseason began.
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And in many ways, there are nonetheless no promises past the truth that the Kings now possess a 1-0 collection lead following their 6-5 win in Recreation 1 over the Edmonton Oilers. After development a commanding four-goal lead towards the crew that has been each the literal and proverbial roadblock the previous 3 postseasons, the Kings had been reminded of why no lead of greater than two objectives is protected every time they play the Oilers within the playoffs.
Why? As a result of 12 of the 18 playoff video games between the Oilers and Kings over the last 3 years had been determined through lower than two objectives. Possibly that is what made Monday’s sport so jarring but so acquainted.
However to witness the model of the Kings that rallied to win Recreation 1 with a Phillip Danault target with 42 seconds closing? It is one thing the Kings have accomplished earlier than towards the Oilers as they did it within the 2022 and 2023 postseasons… most effective to then lose the collection.
Are the Kings are as soon as once more in for the same destiny? Or may just they in spite of everything have the solutions that get them past their perennial tormentors and into the second one around? — Clark
Particular groups already enjoying a distinct function
The Vegas Golden Knights drew fewer consequences than any crew within the steady season. They earned the second-fewest power-play alternatives. And but, Vegas had the second-best chronic play within the league.
How? Smartly, simply ask the Minnesota Wild.
The Wild took simply two consequences in Recreation 1 towards the Golden Knights and had been burned at the guy virtue each instances. That is how Vegas works. They see a possibility, they take it.
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That is one thing of a theme on this early first-round motion, in truth. There was a number of power-play motion. And it’s been a wholesome consider figuring out a number of results.
Toronto scored 3 objectives at the guy virtue to take Recreation 1 in their collection. Colorado and Dallas every have already got two power-play objectives. Similar with Los Angeles. St. Louis has 3 — even if it hasn’t helped them to a victory but over Winnipeg. And apparently, the Jets have only one power-play target via two video games however are tied for probably the most at even power (5).
So how a lot will particular groups proceed to gasoline a few of these matchups? Toronto’s trainer Craig Berube was once fast to mention his crew should not be anticipating to depend on more than one power-play objectives in line with sport to get through. Will golf equipment be capable of tighten up defensively? And despite the fact that they do, will the ones singular man-advantage probabilities stay tilting the ice in a single crew’s want find it irresistible did so totally for Vegas in Recreation 1?
It is not at all times a foregone conclusion that regular-season luck in any class can elevate over to the postseason, however the fast returns on this one display how what labored earlier than can stay sporting the day for some contenders — Shilton
The Wild have scored seven objectives of their collection towards the Vegas Golden Knights. Kirill Kaprizov has had a hand in 5 of them, together with a three-point Recreation 2 efficiency that helped the Wild knot issues up at 1-1 headed again to Minnesota.
In Recreation 1, he had the main help on either one of Matt Boldy’s objectives, which were given Minnesota inside of one target with 8:14 left within the 3rd length earlier than Brett Howden’s empty-netter iced the 4-2 Vegas win.
In Recreation 2, Kaprizov attached with Boldy once more to open the scoring with some of the splendid saucer passes in fresh reminiscence.
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Matt Boldy is going five-hole to position Wild in entrance
Matt Boldy nets his 3rd target of the collection because the Wild take a 1-0 lead over the Golden Knights.
“That may had been the most productive move I have ever observed. It was once incredible,” Boldy stated. “He’s a distinct participant.”
The Wild constructed a 3-0 lead after the primary length. Kaprizov’s target 3:59 into the second one length presented an enormous little bit of insurance coverage as Vegas rallied. He then iced the sport with an empty-netter to finish the two-goal night time.
There is a sure poetry in Kaprizov being an early postseason MVP, when one considers how his steady season grew to become out. The Wild megastar was once restricted to 41 video games due to a lower-body damage that required surgical operation in January. Please recall the ESPN Awards Wait for that month, which Kaprizov nonetheless led whilst having already neglected a couple of video games. Have been it now not for his damage, it is fully possible that Kirill the Thrill finally ends up as a Hart Trophy finalist.
As a substitute, he will must accept being Minnesota’s offensive savior within the playoffs, serving to to orchestrate a imaginable disenchanted over the department champion Golden Knights. The Dual Towns will have to be rocking for Recreation 3 on Thursday. — Wyshynski
