Kasperi Kapanen scored in overtime in Game 5 on Wednesday to eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights a...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3961" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3961">Kasperi Kapanen</a> scored in overtime in Game 5 on Wednesday to eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights and send the Edmonton Oilers to the Western Conference Final.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="fi" dir="ltr">KASPERI KAPANEN OVERTIME WINNER 🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoOilers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoOilers</a> <a href="https://t.co/QuYiJUuksY">pic.twitter.com/QuYiJUuksY</a></p>— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1922878900784463998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Kapanen played his first game of the playoffs in Game 4. He hadn't scored a goal since Jan. 23.</p><p>"Obviously it's something pretty special," Kapanen said, according to <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1922884112869695875">Sportsnet</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>He added, "Just being ready for whenever they need me. It's not the most fun doing those skates after practices and what not, but the team was playing outstanding so obviously we're not going to change up our lineup. I knew once I get that opportunity, just try to play simple and give it my all. So far it's looking pretty good."</p><p>The Oilers are the first team to punch their ticket to Round 3. They'll take on the winner of the Winnipeg Jets-Dallas Stars series, which the latter leads 3-1. Edmonton defeated Dallas in last year's Western Conference Final.</p><p>Oilers goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6553" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6553">Stuart Skinner</a> posted his second consecutive shutout. He was demoted to backup after two disastrous appearances to open Round 1 but was called upon again in Game 3 against Vegas after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1766" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1766">Calvin Pickard</a> got injured. Skinner lost his return to the crease but stopped all 47 shots he faced in Games 4 and 5.</p><p>"To be honest, today was the least nerve-wracking that I've been in the last three games, believe it or not," Skinner told <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1922878201858085174">Sportsnet</a> postgame. "I'm not too sure. I had a feeling of peace tonight. My job is just to give the team a chance to win, and I can't really do too much else."</p><p>Skinner also spoke on the ups and downs of his playoff run so far. </p><p>"It's very difficult, to say the least," he said. "It's definitely been a grind, a lot of work just trying to stay sane in all of it, too. Obviously a moment where we were able to step up. Again, I've got so much to thank for my teammates with all their support even through that, and also how they've been playing since I've been in."</p><p>Oilers captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4560" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4560">Connor McDavid</a> had a message for Skinner's critics after consecutive clean sheets.</p><p>"Hopefully it shuts up a lot of people who were talking about him," McDavid said, according to <a href="https://x.com/GenePrincipe/status/1922880245704556695">Sportsnet's Gene Principe</a>.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 14: Kasperi Kapanen #42 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 14, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Oilers eliminate Golden Knights on Kapanen's OT winner

Scotiabank Arena was virtually empty by the final buzzer in Game 5, and Toronto Maple Leafs capta...

<p>Scotiabank Arena was virtually empty by the final buzzer in Game 5, and Toronto Maple Leafs captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5586" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5586">Auston Matthews</a> doesn't blame fans for hitting the exits early with the home side getting pummeled by the Florida Panthers.</p><p>"I don't think we gave them much reason to stick around," Matthews said after Wednesday's 6-1 loss, according to <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/matthews-maple-leafs-have-to-look-in-the-mirror-after-game-5-rout/">Sportsnet</a>.</p><p>The Maple Leafs were showered with boos after the Panthers opened up a 4-0 lead in the second period. Toronto was thoroughly dominated from the opening puck drop, and its season will be on the line Friday after nearly being shut out for a second straight game.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"There's nothing we can do now," Matthews said. "We've just got to put our best foot forward, look in the mirror, and just be better. That's really it."</p><p>He added, "I think everybody's got to look in the mirror, like I said. Myself included. Everybody wants to be better, everybody wants to, obviously, win. We've been a great road team all season long. There's always going to be belief in this group and confidence in this group from what we've built off throughout the year. ... It's got to be our best game of the year."</p><p>Pressure was on Matthews to deliver a strong performance after Toronto lost back-to-back games in Florida. The three-time "Rocket" Richard winner hasn't scored in Round 2 and now has three goals in his last 21 playoff contests dating back to 2023.</p><p>"I don't look at myself as a one-dimensional player," Matthews said. "If I'm not scoring, I'm trying to do all the other little things that make the team successful, that make myself successful, and just try to be an all-around, complete player."</p><p>Matthews finished the game minus-2 with six shots, two blocks, and a hit in 18:06 of ice time. He has three points in the series and eight in 11 playoff contests this spring.</p>

TORONTO, ON - MAY 14: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms-up before Game Five of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at the Scotiabank Arena on May 14, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Matthews: Leafs didn't give fans 'reason to stick around' in Game 5

The Florida Panthers dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 Wednesday night to grab a 3-2 series l...

<p>The Florida Panthers dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 Wednesday night to grab a 3-2 series lead.</p><p>The victory was Florida's third straight and puts the Panthers on the brink of the Eastern Conference Final for the third consecutive year.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3946" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3946">Aaron Ekblad</a> opened the scoring in the first period, and the Panthers added three more in the middle frame to blow the game open. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9403" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9403">A.J. Greer</a>'s third-period tally to make it 5-0 chased Toronto goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8266" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8266">Joseph Woll</a> from the contest.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Right from the start we just kept doing the things that make us successful," captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3004" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3004">Aleksander Barkov</a> said, per <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1922837848484364495">Sportsnet</a>. "Just battle hard, make simple plays. Keep the focus in the moment, that's what we've been good at the last three games."</p><p>He continued, "(The) score doesn't matter, we want to keep playing our game. We wanted to stay in their zone as much as possible. ... I think overall it was a good 60 minutes by us."</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8758" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8758">Nick Robertson</a> scored with 1:06 left in regulation to snap <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1631" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1631">Sergei Bobrovsky</a>'s shutout streak at 143:25, which established a new Panthers playoff record. The Maple Leafs hadn't scored since the third period of Game 3 before Robertson found the back of the net. </p><p>Toronto's home crowd showered the Maple Leafs in boos, and a jersey was thrown on the ice during the third period. The Leafs are now 3-10 on home ice in Games 5 through 7 dating back to 2017, according to <a href="https://x.com/SNstats/status/1922834635572072611">Sportsnet Stats</a>. Toronto's been outscored 40-22 in those contests. </p><p>Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night in Florida. </p>

TORONTO, ON - MAY 14: A.J. Greer #10 of the Florida Panthers celebrates scoring a goal with his teammates during the third period of Game Five of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scotiabank Arena on May 14, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Panthers hammer Maple Leafs to grab 3-2 series lead

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone missed Wednesday's must-win Game 5 against the Edmonton O...

<p>Vegas Golden Knights captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1741" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1741">Mark Stone</a> missed Wednesday's must-win Game 5 against the Edmonton Oilers.</p><p>Stone exited Game 3 with an upper-body injury but logged over 21 minutes in Game 4.</p><p>The 33-year-old has registered eight points in 10 contests this postseason, including two goals and two assists against the Oilers.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Edmonton holds a 3-1 series lead. </p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 10: Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up prior to the game against the Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Arena on April 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Stone out for must-win Game 5 vs. Oilers

Sahith Theegala withdrew from the PGA Championship due to a neck injury, the tournament announced...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/4240" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/4240">Sahith Theegala</a> withdrew from the PGA Championship due to a neck injury, the tournament announced Wednesday.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/4422" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/4422">Alex Smalley</a> has taken his place in the field for the season's second major. </p><p>Theegala pulled out of the final round of last week's Truist Championship with the same ailment. He was in last place at 8-over par before withdrawing.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Theegala is ranked No. 31 in the world. His last victory came at the 2023 Fortinet Championship. The 27-year-old finished T-12 at the PGA Championship last year, his second-best result at a major. </p><p>The PGA Championship begins Thursday at Quail Hollow.</p>

FLOURTOWN, PHILADELPHIA - MAY 08: Sahith Theegala stands on the second green during the first round of Truist Championship at The Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon Course) on May 8, 2025 in Flourtown, Philadelphia.

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Theegala pulls out of PGA Championship with neck injury

The Winnipeg Jets are satisfied with the way they generated offense in Tuesday's Game 4 loss to t...

<p>The Winnipeg Jets are satisfied with the way they generated offense in Tuesday's Game 4 loss to the Dallas Stars but know they need to start finding the net if they're going to erase a daunting 3-1 series deficit.</p><p>"I thought we played a good hockey game. We had 70 shot attempts and scored one goal," head coach Scott Arniel said. "If we can't find more than one goal, we're not going to win hockey games. Especially against this hockey team."</p><p>The Jets outattempted the Stars 72-46 in all situations Tuesday but only beat Dallas netminder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8282" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8282">Jake Oettinger</a> once. Winnipeg also owned a 12-8 advantage in high-danger scoring chances in the 3-1 loss, according to <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20242025&amp;game=30234">Natural Stat Trick</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I thought all our combinations had a lot of opportunities, we just didn't put the puck in the net, and that's the bottom line at this time of year," Arniel said. "You've got to find a way to score goals. They're not going to be pretty. They're probably going to have to be ugly ones, and we're going to have to find a way to do that."</p><p>The Jets, who had the fourth-ranked offense in the regular season, managed three goals in two games after traveling to Dallas with the series tied 1-1. Winnipeg has now lost nine consecutive road playoff contests over the past three years.</p><p>"I actually thought we played a really good game," forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3995" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3995">Nikolaj Ehlers</a> said. "I think at the end of the day we've got to score on our chances. It's as simple as that."</p><p>Ehlers added, "We had some good moments, but at the end of the day, we lost. We've got to go home, recharge, and get ready for the next one."</p>

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 11: Head coach Scott Arniel of the Winnipeg Jets watches play from behind the bench during the third period of Game Three of the Second Round in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on May 11, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

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Jets lament missed chances: 'Got to find a way to score goals'

Mikael Granlund registered a hat trick in Game 4 on Tuesday night to propel the Dallas Stars to a...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2567" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2567">Mikael Granlund</a> registered a hat trick in Game 4 on Tuesday night to propel the Dallas Stars to a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets.</p><p>The Stars are now one victory away from reaching the Western Conference Final for a third consecutive season.</p><p>Granlund scored a goal in all three periods to set up Dallas' 3-1 victory, beating Jets goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3997" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3997">Connor Hellebuyck</a> clean each time. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"When you pass all the time, you know, you're going to surprise the goalie maybe once in a while to shoot the puck," Granlund said, per <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-dallas-stars-game-4-recap-may-13">NHL.com's Taylor Baird</a>. "The job is not done. We have a lot of work to do. So you know, a good win, and we have a tough game ahead of us in Winnipeg."</p><p>Stars goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8282" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8282">Jake Oettinger</a> was sensational, making 31 saves. The Jets held a 25-22 scoring chance advantage in all situations, according to <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20242025&amp;game=30234">Natural Stat Trick</a>, but couldn't capitalize.</p><p>"I want the guys to look down at me and feel like I'm going to be able to give them a chance to win every night, and I feel like I've done that so far," Oettinger told <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1922485688252928022">Sportsnet</a> after the game. "A lot of hockey left."</p><p>Dallas' Game 4 win marked the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3285229" href="https://thescore.com/news/3285229">return</a> of star defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6612" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6612">Miro Heiskanen</a>, who's been out of action since late January because of a knee injury. He drew an assist on Granlund's third goal and logged 14:52 of ice time.</p><p>"Tonight was the first night we've actually had our full team together, and everyone is still not 100 percent, but a nice feeling to have," head coach Pete DeBoer said, per Baird.</p><p>The Jets are now 0-5 on the road this postseason and have lost nine consecutive playoff games away from home dating back to 2023.</p><p>Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday in Winnipeg.</p>

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 13: Mikael Granlund #64 of the Dallas Stars is congratulated by Jason Robertson #21 after Granlund scored a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of Game Four of the Second Round in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 13, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

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Granlund's hat trick gives Stars stranglehold on Jets

The Vezina Trophy and MVP finalist version of Connor Hellebuyck showed up for the Winnipeg Jets i...

<p>The Vezina Trophy and MVP finalist version of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3997" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3997">Connor Hellebuyck</a> showed up for the Winnipeg Jets in Game 2 against the Dallas Stars on Friday, as the netminder posted a 21-save shutout to help his club even the series at 1-1.</p><p>Hellebuyck believes the performance restored his confidence after a nightmare start to the playoffs. </p><p>"Well, now it's locked in," Hellebuyck said of his mindset, per <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1921060916281463237">Sportsnet</a>. "We broke it down to build it back together. I like where it's at, and I like where the team's playing. I'm really excited for the series. It's been fun."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The clean sheet is the fourth of Hellebuyck's playoff career, and first since 2021. In the 24 contests between those shutouts, he was 8-16 with a .877 save percentage.</p><p>Hellebuyck has been under immense pressure to perform against the Stars after being pulled three times in the Jets' first-round series against the St. Louis Blues. The netminder allowed three goals on 24 shots in a Game 1 loss to Dallas, but was named first star for his efforts Friday.</p><p>The Stars controlled 60.02% of expected goals in the contest and fired 14 high-danger chances Hellebuyck's way in all situations, according to <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20242025&amp;game=30232&amp;view=limited">Natural Stat Trick</a>. </p><p>Hellebuyck led the league with 47 wins and eight shutouts this season while posting a sparkling .925 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average. He's a virtual lock to win the Vezina Trophy for the second year in a row.</p><p>While Friday's win could be a building block for Hellebuyck, Game 3 in Dallas will be a big test. Hellebuyck is 0-3 on the road in these playoffs with 16 goals against and a .758 save percentage.</p><p>The series resumes Sunday afternoon. </p>

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 04: Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save during the second period of game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis Blues on May 04, 2025 at the Canada Life Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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Hellebuyck's confidence 'locked in' after Game 2 shutout

One game after crediting the Toronto Maple Leafs for being a more resilient squad than years past...

<p>One game after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3282464" href="https://thescore.com/news/3282464">crediting</a> the Toronto Maple Leafs for being a more resilient squad than years past, Florida Panthers winger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/100" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/100">Brad Marchand</a> twisted the knife against his longtime Atlantic Division foes with some overtime heroics.</p><p>Marchand scored the winner in Game 3 to cut Toronto's series lead to 2-1, and his teammates weren't surprised to see him deliver in a clutch moment.</p><p>"Obviously, you see what he does on the ice," forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3208" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3208">Carter Verhaeghe</a> said, per <a href="https://x.com/TSN_Sports/status/1921045692308389890">TSN</a>. "He's such a great player, and he's been around for so long. He's a playoff performer, and he scores big goals at big moments. He's done it all. Won a Stanley Cup. He brings so much life and energy to our group."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3945" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3945">Sam Reinhart</a> also touched on what Marchand has brought to Florida since being acquired from the Boston Bruins before the trade deadline.</p><p>"His work ethic, he's tenacious, he's hard on the puck. It seems like players like that shine at this time of year," Reinhart said, according to <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1921035945815478303">Sportsnet</a>.</p><p>Marchand's goal in the extra frame was the 14th game-winning playoff goal of his career, the most among all active skaters. He's now collected 33 points in 31 career postseason contests against the Maple Leafs.</p><p>The soon-to-be 37-year-old had a modest four points in 10 regular-season games with the Panthers, but is up to eight points in eight playoff contests so far. Florida acquired the pending free agent for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2027.</p><p>Game 4 of the hard-fought series is scheduled for Sunday.</p>

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 09: Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with Aleksander Barkov #16 and Carter Verhaeghe #23 after scoring the game winning goal against Joseph Woll #60 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime to win Game Three of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.

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Panthers praise Marchand: 'He brings so much life and energy'

Tom Wilson earned first star for his performance in Thursday's Game 2 win over the Carolina Hurri...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2592" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2592">Tom Wilson</a> earned first star for his performance in Thursday's Game 2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Washington Capitals took notice. </p><p>The veteran winger registered a primary assist on the game-winning goal and tacked on an empty-netter to secure a split before the series shifts to Raleigh. Wilson also had three shots, two hits, and two blocks.</p><p>"He's been doing it all year long, it's nothing new with that guy," <a href="https://www.nhl.com/capitals/video/connor-mcmichael-may-8-6372552546112">said</a> linemate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8611" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8611">Connor McMichael</a>. "When we need a spark, he's there to provide it. You need a big play or a big goal, he's always the one doing it. Can't say enough good things about him."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Capitals were thoroughly outplayed in an overtime loss in Game 1, prompting head coach Spencer Carbery to express his <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3281886" href="https://thescore.com/news/3281886">disappointment</a> in the team's effort. Carbery felt Wilson spearheaded Washington's turnaround Wednesday.</p><p>"I thought he was leading the charge tonight," Carbery <a href="https://www.nhl.com/capitals/video/spencer-carbery-postgame-6372552130112">said</a>. "I thought, even before the play he makes on the power play and on the empty-netter, I just thought he was really engaged."</p><p>Washington had a 61.7% expected goals rate at five-on-five with Wilson on the ice in Game 2, according to <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20242025&amp;game=30222&amp;view=limited">Natural Stat Trick</a>. </p><p>Wilson ranks second on the Capitals with seven points in seven playoff games this spring. He leads the team with 27 hits. </p><p>Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. </p>

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 6: Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals smiles during the second period of Game One of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on May 6, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

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Capitals laud Wilson's big Game 2: 'When we need a spark, he's there'

No player has caused the Toronto Maple Leafs more playoff grief in recent years than Brad Marchan...

<p>No player has caused the Toronto Maple Leafs more playoff grief in recent years than <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/100" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/100">Brad Marchand</a>, but the Florida Panthers veteran believes this spring's version is different than years past. </p><p>"They're continuing to get better and grow as a group," Marchand said, per <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1920301586460323914">Sportsnet</a>. "They brought in a lot of good pieces in at the deadline and the offseason to kind of address their back end. They're heavy back there. Obviously, their coaching has changed, and their structure is very, very good right now, especially in the D-zone."</p><p>Toronto took a 2-0 series lead Wednesday night with a 4-3 victory. Marchand scored his first playoff goal as a Panther in the loss. It was the 11th postseason tally of his career versus the Maple Leafs in what's now his fifth series against them.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 37-year-old won four seven-game series over Toronto as a member of the Boston Bruins, including a first-round victory last year. </p><p>Boston's triumph prompted the Maple Leafs to replace former head coach Sheldon Keefe with Craig Berube, who guided Toronto to the Atlantic Division title in his first season with the club.</p><p>The defending-champion Panthers finished third in the Atlantic but dominated the Lightning in Round 1 to set up their clash with the Maple Leafs.</p><p>"We knew it was going to be a really tough battle, we didn't expect to roll over them by any means," Marchand said. "We have our work cut out. They're playing really well, and, obviously, their top guys are capitalizing on every opportunity, it seems like."</p><p>The Panthers are 0-5 all time when dropping the first two games of a series, according to <a href="https://x.com/lukefoxjukebox/status/1920305504787513745">Sportsnet's Luke Fox</a>.</p><p>Game 3 is scheduled for Friday as the series shifts to Florida.</p>

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 5: Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers skates with the puck against Scott Laughton #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of Game One of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 5, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Marchand credits Leafs' growth: 'They're continuing to get better'

Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was disappointed in his club's inability to match ...

<p>Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was disappointed in his club's inability to match the Carolina Hurricanes' effort level in Game 1. </p><p>"I thought we would be a lot better than that, than we were tonight," Carbery <a href="https://www.nhl.com/capitals/video/spencer-carbery-postgame-6372443891112">said</a>. "We'll regroup and we'll have to be better in Game 2."</p><p>The Hurricanes won 2-1 in overtime thanks to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4716" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4716">Jaccob Slavin</a>'s winner, but the stats weren't nearly as tight as the final score. Carolina outshot Washington 33-14, held a 44-31 advantage in hits, and controlled 74.52% of expected goals at five-on-five, according to <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20242025&amp;game=30221&amp;view=limited">Natural Stat Trick</a>. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"We'll talk about the things that have to change for Game 2," Carbery said. "There's a lot of X's and O's, there's a lot of physicality stuff, there's a lot of puck-battle stuff. We'll narrow it down, because you could obviously go down about 20 different avenues from tonight."</p><p>He added, "It wasn't good, and that's the bottom line. Our entire game was not good."</p><p>Carbery did credit goaltender Logan Thompson, saying he was "fantastic" in the loss. </p><p>Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday in D.C. </p>

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 23: Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20) and Capitals center Nic Dowd (26) listen head coach Spencer Carbery during the third period of game two of a first round playoff hockey game at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on April 23, 2025.

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Caps' Carbery: 'I thought we would be a lot better' in Game 1

Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland doesn't intend to move on from head coach Jar...

<p>Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland doesn't intend to move on from head coach Jared Bednar despite the club's disappointing first-round exit against the Dallas Stars.</p><p>"One hundred percent confident, Jared's our head coach," MacFarland said Tuesday, per <a href="https://x.com/DNVR_Avalanche/status/1919845383527923778">DNVR Sports</a>.</p><p>The Avalanche let a 2-0 lead slip away in the third period of Saturday's Game 7. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4772" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4772">Mikko Rantanen</a>, who Colorado traded away in a stunning blockbuster over the winter, registered a hat trick to lead the Stars' comeback.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The loss dropped Bednar to 0-4 in Game 7s and extended the Avs' losing streak in winner-take-all contests to seven. Colorado parted ways with power-play coach Ray Bennett after going 3-for-22 on the man advantage this postseason.</p><p>Bednar took over the Avalanche's bench for the 2016-17 campaign. After a dreadful debut season in which the team recorded a .293 points percentage, he's guided Colorado to eight consecutive playoff appearances and won the Stanley Cup in 2022.</p><p>However, the Avalanche have only one series win since their championship triumph.</p>

DALLAS, TX - MAY 3: Jared Bednar watches the action from behind the bench against the Dallas Stars in the second period of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on may 3, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

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Avalanche GM: '100% confident' in Bednar as head coach

Recently retired goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will join Team Canada for the 2025 IIHF World Champ...

<p>Recently retired goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1010" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1010">Marc-Andre Fleury</a> will join Team Canada for the 2025 IIHF World Championship, he announced Monday.</p><p>Fleury just wrapped up his 21st and final NHL season. Longtime friend and teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1002" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1002">Sidney Crosby</a> agreed to play for Canada on Sunday, as did Colorado Avalanche superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3002" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3002">Nathan MacKinnon</a>.</p><p>Fleury has never played at the event. If Canada were to claim gold, he'd join the illustrious Triple Gold Club as a Stanley Cup and Olympic champion.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I'm excited to go," Fleury said, per <a href="https://x.com/RussoHockey/status/1919468974481281092">The Athletic's Michael Russo</a>. "I've never played in the World Championship. I haven't played with Sid in a while, obviously, so I think it'll be fun to go spend some time together and yell at him in practice a bit, keep him honest in practice."</p><p>Dylan Garand, a farmhand of the New York Rangers, was previously the only goalie on Canada's roster. The tournament begins May 9.</p><p>Fleury last represented Canada at the 2010 Games in Vancouver, though he didn't get any playing time. Fleury was Canada's starting netminder in the 2003 and 2004 world juniors.</p><p>The 40-year-old managed an .899 save percentage in 26 games this season for the Minnesota Wild. He finished his NHL career second on the all-time wins list at 575. </p>

MONTREAL, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild thanks the spectators as he receives a standing ovation for his illustrious NHL career after a victory against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on January 30, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Minnesota Wild defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0.

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Fleury joining Canada at Worlds

The Los Angeles Kings and general manager Rob Blake have mutually agreed to part ways, the team a...

<p>The Los Angeles Kings and general manager Rob Blake have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced Monday.</p><p>Blake held the role since 2017 after being promoted from assistant GM. The Kings were recently eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers for the fourth consecutive year.</p><p>Los Angeles held a 2-0 series lead, but Edmonton won the next four contests. The Kings' postseason disappointment followed a tie of the franchise record for points with 105 in the regular season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Kings will begin their search for a new GM immediately. The New York Islanders are the only other team with a vacancy at the position.</p><p>Los Angeles made the playoffs in Blake's first year at the helm but was swept in the first round. The club failed to qualify the next three campaigns and then began its current run of futility against the Oilers in 2022.</p><p>The Kings haven't won a playoff series since capturing the Stanley Cup in 2014.</p><p>Blake had four different head coaches during his tenure. Some of his defining moves as Kings GM include acquiring <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5588" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5588">Pierre-Luc Dubois</a> and flipping him after one underwhelming season, trading <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9275" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9275">Brock Faber</a> for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4112" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4112">Kevin Fiala</a>, and drafting <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9210" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9210">Quinton Byfield</a> second overall in 2020.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Rob Blake of the Los Angeles Kings attends the NHL Draft at Sphere on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Kings, GM Blake agree to part ways

The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is in the books, and the race for the Conn Smythe Tro...

<p>The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is in the books, and the race for the Conn Smythe Trophy is beginning to take shape.</p><p>This list will have plenty of turnover as the playoffs progress, and a handful of players eliminated in Round 1 would have been firmly in the mix had their teams won. Adrian Kempe, Kirill Kaprizov, and Nathan MacKinnon put forth phenomenal performances, but we can't be giving too much praise to players no longer competing.</p><p>Here's who's in the mix with Round 2 upon us.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>5. Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784009/cropped_GettyImages-2210917389.jpg?ts=1746376058" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784009/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210917389.jpg?ts=1746376058 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784009/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210917389.jpg?ts=1746376058 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784009/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210917389.jpg?ts=1746376058 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784009/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210917389.jpg?ts=1746376058 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784009/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210917389.jpg?ts=1746376058 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Cato Cataldo / National Hockey League / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>SV%</th>
<th>GAA</th>
<th>GSAx</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>.936</td>
<td>1.59</td>
<td>6.89</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>There's a glut of skaters near the top of the scoring race with similar outputs, and with such thin margins separating them, we're going to give this spot to the best goalie in Round 1. Andersen leads his peers in save percentage and goals saved above expected while ranking second in goals-against average after a terrific showing against the New Jersey Devils.</p><p>New Jersey netminder Jacob Markstrom was stellar despite the lopsided series, so Andersen needed to be at his best. He was, and it's a big positive for the Carolina Hurricanes that Andersen's injury in Game 4 doesn't appear to an issue entering Round 2. Andersen has a long way to go to remain a legitimate Conn Smythe candidate, but he's in the conversation right now.</p><h3>4. Kyle Connor, Jets</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783473/cropped_GettyImages-2210463209.jpg?ts=1746103431" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783473/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210463209.jpg?ts=1746103431 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783473/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210463209.jpg?ts=1746103431 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783473/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210463209.jpg?ts=1746103431 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783473/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210463209.jpg?ts=1746103431 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783473/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210463209.jpg?ts=1746103431 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jonathan Kozub / NHL / Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
<th>xGF%</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>22:42</td>
<td>52.02%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Round 1 was far from a cakewalk for the heavily favored Jets, but it could have ended tragically if not for the play of their leading scorer. Connor delivered 12<strong> </strong>points, including four in Games 6 and 7 to oust the St. Louis Blues.</p><p>Connor deserves credit for remaining productive while linemate Mark Scheifele missed the final two contests of the series. He's is a certified game-breaker, and he continued to show off his clutch gene with two game-winning tallies in the series and assists on the equalizer and overtime clincher in Winnipeg's unforgettable Game 7 comeback.</p><h3>3. Leon Draisaitl, Oilers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782985/cropped_GettyImages-2211377100.jpg?ts=1745875203" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782985/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211377100.jpg?ts=1745875203 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782985/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211377100.jpg?ts=1745875203 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782985/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211377100.jpg?ts=1745875203 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782985/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211377100.jpg?ts=1745875203 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782985/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211377100.jpg?ts=1745875203 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
<th>xGF%</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>23:05</td>
<td>68.28%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Draisaitl's ability to elevate in the playoffs inspires awe every spring. His career 1.47 points per game in the postseason ranks fifth in NHL history, and he put forth another heroic series performance against the Los Angeles Kings with 10 points and his first overtime winner.</p><p>That goal completely flipped the momentum Edmonton's way and is the type of legacy moment that will matter in Conn Smythe voting if the Oilers keep advancing.</p><h3>2. Connor McDavid, Oilers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/781714/cropped_GettyImages-2209973266.jpg?ts=1745264421" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/781714/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209973266.jpg?ts=1745264421 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/781714/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209973266.jpg?ts=1745264421 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/781714/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209973266.jpg?ts=1745264421 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/781714/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209973266.jpg?ts=1745264421 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/781714/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209973266.jpg?ts=1745264421 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Leila Devlin / Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
<th>xGF%</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>23:20</td>
<td>66.28%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>McDavid looks primed for a repeat of last year's record-breaking postseason. He's tied for second in the playoffs with 11 points, 10 of which have come at even strength. That's a bit surprising considering how lights out Edmonton's power play typically is, but it speaks to how dominant the Oilers captain was against the Kings for the fourth consecutive year.</p><p>McDavid's averaged more ice time than any forward still in the playoffs, and his five-on-five stats are otherworldly so far. On top of a sterling expected goals rate, the Oilers controlled 63.07% of shot attempts and 67.83% of scoring chances with him on the ice.</p><h3>1. Mikko Rantanen, Stars</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783935/cropped_GettyImages-2211985817.jpg?ts=1746326468" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783935/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211985817.jpg?ts=1746326468 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783935/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211985817.jpg?ts=1746326468 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783935/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211985817.jpg?ts=1746326468 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783935/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211985817.jpg?ts=1746326468 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783935/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211985817.jpg?ts=1746326468 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Glenn James / National Hockey League / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>A</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
<th>xGF%</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>19:39</td>
<td>42.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>To have thought after Rantanen's first four playoff games that he'd now be a Conn Smythe favorite would have been borderline insane. He had one assist over that span and was a minus-4, which had some wondering if the spotlight of a series against his old team was too much to handle.</p><p>It wasn't. Rantanen went on to essentially win the series himself. He had 11 points over the final three contests to shoot to the top of the playoff scoring race and became the first player to ever register a hat trick in the third period of a Game 7. He's also the only skater to have multiple four-point periods in a single postseason. Rantanen's underlying stats aren't impressive, but the way he closed out Colorado is the definition of MVP.</p><p>(Analytics sources: <a href="https://evolving-hockey.com/">Evolving-Hockey</a>, <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/">Natural Stat Trick</a>)</p><p><strong>Keep an eye on:</strong></p><ul>
<li>Logan Thompson, Capitals</li>
<li>Evan Bouchard, Oilers</li>
<li>Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs</li>
<li>Andrei Svechnikov, Hurricanes</li>
<li>Sam Reinhart, Panthers</li>
</ul>

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 12: Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Dallas Stars looks on during the second period against the Utah Hockey Club at American Airlines Center on April 12, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

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Conn Smythe Rankings: Rantanen top dog after Game 7 heroics

The St. Louis Blues were unsurprisingly crushed after coughing up a two-goal lead and losing to t...

<p>The St. Louis Blues were unsurprisingly crushed after coughing up a two-goal lead and losing to the Winnipeg Jets in double overtime of Sunday night's unforgettable Game 7.</p><p>"A second and a half away from closing out the series ... it's brutal," captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/589" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/589">Brayden Schenn</a> said, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6332729/2025/05/05/blues-jets-nhl-playoffs-game-7/?source=emp_shared_article">The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford</a>.</p><p>The Blues led 3-1 before <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2119" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2119">Vladislav Namestnikov</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9198" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9198">Cole Perfetti</a> scored in the final two minutes of regulation. Perfetti's equalizer was the latest game-tying goal in a Game 7 in NHL history, coming with only two seconds left.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Jets captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2147" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2147">Adam Lowry</a> deflected the series winner home 16 minutes into the second extra frame. </p><p>"I've had a few painful ones," Blues head coach Jim Montgomery said. "I've had overtime Game 7 losses. Anytime your season ends, it's painful."</p><p>Both of Winnipeg's late goals came 6-on-5 with its goalie pulled. St. Louis allowed a league-worst 13 goals against extra attackers during the regular season.</p><p>The Blues were heavy underdogs in the series against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Jets. St. Louis was a long shot to even make the playoffs for much of the season, but it got into the mix with a 12-game winning streak late in the schedule. Coincidentally, Winnipeg was the team that ended the Blues' franchise-record heater April 7.</p><p>Montgomery, who was hired in November soon after the Boston Bruins fired him, is confident the strides his team made this season will carry over into 2025-26.</p><p>"What we did here in the last three months is we changed the culture back to where it needs to be, to be able to grow and get better," he said. </p><p>The Jets will take on the Dallas Stars in the second round. </p>

WINNIPEG, CANADA - MAY 4: A dejected Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues hangs his head after Adam Lowry #17 of the Winnipeg Jets (not seen) scored the double overtime series winning goal in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canada Life Centre on May 4, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

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Blues reflect on Game 7 heartbreaker: 'It's brutal'

Our hockey writers shared observations throughout Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Sunday, M...

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The St. Louis Blues have total confidence in goaltender Jordan Binnington as they gear up for Sun...

<p>The St. Louis Blues have total confidence in goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2135" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2135">Jordan Binnington</a> as they gear up for Sunday's Game 7 against the Winnipeg Jets.</p><p>"He's calm and he's collected back there," Blues defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1706" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1706">Cam Fowler</a> told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6330657/2025/05/04/blues-jordan-binnington-nhl-playoffs-game-7/">The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford</a>. "He's the total package. He's a huge reason why we are where we are. And we'll continue to lean on him because he's shown everybody time and time again that he's world class."</p><p>Binnington's posted a modest .897 save percentage so far in the series but has built a reputation throughout his career as a big-game performer. He's 2-0 with a .968 clip in Game 7s, including a Stanley Cup-clinching effort against the Boston Bruins in 2019.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The netminder was also between the pipes for Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off championship victory over the United States in February. </p><p>"Two words that come to mind right away is how calm he is and 'proven winner,'" St. Louis head coach Jim Montgomery said. "He's done it, he's been there, he knows how to not only get himself in the right zone but also how to give confidence to his team in front of him.</p><p>"It's the confidence and swagger that he gives the rest of us. The way he carries himself in the crease, you can almost feel the body language is 'I got it, boys. Just go do your job. I got the rest.' That’s the way he makes us feel."</p><p>Binnington's counterpart, Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy finalist <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3997" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3997">Connor Hellebuyck</a>, has allowed 23 goals in six games this postseason and owns an .815 save percentage.</p><p>Puck drop for the final game of the opening round is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. </p>

WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 30: Goaltender Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues guards the net during third period action against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Five of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre on April 30, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

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Blues express faith in Binnington for Game 7: 'He's the total package'

Winnipeg Jets star Mark Scheifele didn't participate in Sunday's Game 7 against the St. Louis Blu...

<p>Winnipeg Jets star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2150" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2150">Mark Scheifele</a> didn't participate in Sunday's Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues due to an undisclosed injury.</p><p>Scheifele was originally labeled a game-time decision. He was injured in Game 5 after taking a pair of heavy hits from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/589" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/589">Brayden Schenn</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2601" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2601">Radek Faksa</a> and was forced to sit out Game 6.</p><p>The Blues won Game 6 convincingly with Scheifele unavailable. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Scheifele's injury became a point a contention before St. Louis tied the series. Blues head coach Jim Montgomery claimed the Jets pivot was hurt specifically on the hit from Faksa rather than the more controversial collision with Schenn. Jets bench boss Scott Arniel responded by saying Montgomery was "way off base" commenting on one of his player's injuries.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2119" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2119">Vladislav Namestnikov</a> centered the top line at practice Sunday between <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5545" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5545">Kyle Connor</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6466" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6466">Gabriel Vilardi</a>.</p><p>Scheifele has six points in the series and registered a career-high 87 points in the regular season.</p>

WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 19: Mark Scheifele #55 of the Winnipeg Jets gets set to take a second period face-off against the St. Louis Blues in Game One of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canada Life Centre on April 19, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Blues 5-3 and lead the series 1-0.

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Scheifele unavailable for Game 7

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