The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs featured intense matchups, including two Western Conference series that went the full seven games. The Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets advanced to the second round after dramatic Game 7 victories, overcoming challenging situations.
Many outstanding individual performances were crucial to teams advancing. As the second round begins, highlighted by the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Florida Panthers, players like Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen significantly impacted their series, notably against the Colorado Avalanche.
Here are three of the standout players from the initial round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
1. Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars
Facing his former team in the first round provided a significant narrative for Stars forward Mikko Rantanen.
After contract disagreements, the Avalanche traded Rantanen to the Hurricanes in a deal that included Martin Necas. The Hurricanes subsequently traded Rantanen to Dallas before the deadline.
Rantanen had a quiet start against his former club, with just one assist in the first four games. However, he had a remarkable performance in the final three games, scoring five goals and adding six assists. His Game 7 contribution was particularly spectacular, with three goals and one assist, turning a 2-0 third-period deficit into a stunning 4-2 win.
He made history by becoming the first player to record four points in consecutive periods, achieving 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 embodied the idea of carrying the team. Rantanen delivered when Dallas needed him most, propelling them to the next round against a Jets team that also needed clutch plays to survive their series against the Blues.
2. Anthony Stolarz, Toronto Maple Leafs
Anthony Stolarz, who has primarily been a backup during his NHL career, seized his opportunity in net for the Maple Leafs when the playoffs began.
While he split time with Joseph Woll in the regular season, coach Craig Berube chose Stolarz as the starting goaltender against Ottawa. In six games, Stolarz posted a 2.21 goals-against-average and a .901 save percentage, winning four starts. He allowed two or fewer goals in five of the six first-round games.
Stolarz stopped 11 of the last 12 shots in the third period of the series-deciding game. He conceded only four goals in total over the final two games, helping the Maple Leafs avoid a Game 7.
The Maple Leafs relied on Stolarz to close out games when it mattered most. Having played only one prior career playoff game before this series, Stolarz proved himself exceptionally well.
3. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers faced a difficult start to their series, being outscored 12-7 in the first two games. However, with a talent like Connor McDavid on the roster, the team is always a threat.
McDavid accumulated two goals and nine assists over the six-game series, consistently rising to the challenge. He registered three multi-point games, showcasing his elite playmaking throughout the series.
Facing a 2-0 series deficit, McDavid delivered a dominant performance when the Oilers desperately needed a win to change the series trajectory. He recorded a goal and two assists, including the primary assist on Evander Kane`s game-tying third-period goal in a game the Oilers ultimately won 7-4.
When the pressure is highest, McDavid is electric. His impact goes beyond just scoring; he influences the game in countless ways, making him a constant challenge for opponents, as the Kings discovered in the first round.
Elton Marrow