The second round of the 2025 NHL playoffs delivered another night of exciting hockey as the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights each moved closer to the conference finals. The Hurricanes secured a shutout victory against the Washington Capitals in Game 3, while the Golden Knights needed a moment of brilliance from Reilly Smith in the final seconds.
In Raleigh, goaltender Frederik Andersen was dominant for the Hurricanes, stopping all 21 shots faced to earn a 4-0 shutout win. Andersen was exceptional, and Carolina`s offense received contributions from players throughout their lineup.
Andrei Svechnikov initiated the scoring with a fantastic individual effort in the second period, and Jack Roslovic contributed two points to the win. On Washington`s side, Logan Thompson struggled in net, allowing four goals on just 28 shots. He will need a much better performance in Game 4 if the Capitals hope to tie the series.
Across the continent in Edmonton, the game between the Golden Knights and Oilers seemed destined for overtime after Connor McDavid tied the score at 3 with just over three minutes remaining. However, Reilly Smith had a different outcome in mind.
With the clock rapidly counting down in regulation time, Smith gained possession of a loose puck high in the offensive zone. He made a remarkable play, executing a pump-fake on two Oilers players, patiently maneuvering around Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner, and banking the winning goal off Leon Draisaitl`s stick with only 0.4 seconds left on the clock.
The upcoming Sunday schedule faces the challenge of following such thrilling games, but the planned matchups are poised for more intensity. First, the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars will play a critical Game 3, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs attempting to push the Florida Panthers to the brink of elimination.
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: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
Game 4: Sunday, May 11
Game 5: Wednesday, May 14
*Game 6: Friday, May 16
*Game 7: Sunday, May 18
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1
Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0
Game 4: Monday, May 12
Game 5: Thursday, May 15
*Game 6: Saturday, May 17
*Game 7: Monday, May 19
(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars
Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0
Game 3: Sunday, May 11
Game 4: Tuesday, May 13
Game 5: Thursday, May 15
*Game 6: Saturday, May 17
*Game 7: Monday, May 19
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
Game 4: Monday, May 12
Game 5: Wednesday, May 14
*Game 6: Friday, May 16
*Game 7: Sunday, May 18
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
Elton Marrow