Wednesday`s NHL playoff action saw two significant games unfold. In one matchup, the Toronto Maple Leafs secured a hard-fought victory against the Florida Panthers, extending their series lead to 2-0. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars narrowly defeated the Winnipeg Jets in the opening game of their series.
Toronto`s veteran forward group played a key role, making things difficult for Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The teams traded goals throughout the contest. Max Domi`s goal late in the second period gave the Maple Leafs a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame. Just over five minutes into the third, Panthers forward Anton Lundell displayed impressive skill, kicking the puck to his stick and scoring to tie the game at 3. However, Toronto quickly responded; only 17 seconds later, Mitch Marner found the back of the net with a shot that got past Bobrovsky`s high blocker, restoring the Maple Leafs` lead for good.
In Winnipeg, the Jets opened the scoring early in the second period with a goal from Nino Niederreiter. The game then became the Mikko Rantanen show for the Stars. The Dallas winger scored three consecutive goals in the period, achieving a natural hat trick. His third goal came during a power play when a pass attempt was deflected into the net by Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg, resulting in a goal credited to Rantanen. This performance marked Rantanen`s second straight game with a hat trick and earned him recognition among the night`s top performers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Playoff action is set to continue on Thursday. The Washington Capitals will aim to tie their series against the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Vegas Golden Knights host the Edmonton Oilers for Game 2 of their matchup.
Round 2 Schedule & Results
(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 Results
(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