8 key questions for NHL's 2nd-round playoff teams

Each second-round playoff matchup is set after delirious Game 7 triumphs from the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets. Here are significant questions for the eight teams still chasing the Stanley Cup.

Will Maple Leafs get depth scoring?

Clutch flourishes from Max Domi (overtime winner) and Max Pacioretty (series clincher) were the only goals Toronto received in Round 1 from bottom-six forwards. The core stars shone, but they'll need consistent support to trouble an intimidating Panthers lineup that teems with scoring and bite. The Leafs' third line can't afford to cave against Florida's top few trios, which are centered by Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, and Anton Lundell.

Can Panthers stay levelheaded?

By pulverizing the Lightning, the defending champions proved they should be favored against any playoff opponent. But their reckless hits led to two major penalties and the suspension of defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who can return in Game 2 against the Leafs. The response from Florida's penalty kill was brilliant (88.9% success rate). It's still preferable to toe the line and not risk letting Toronto's quick-strike power play swing the series.

Can Tom Wilson be a menace?

Wilson's fake cry - an exceptional taunt he unleashed in Montreal - will be weaponized against him as soon as the Capitals exit the postseason. He can push them closer to the Cup by continuing to play with overwhelming force. Wilson changed the Canadiens series when he trucked Alexandre Carrier shortly before the tying goal in the Caps' third win. His evolution into a 30-goal scorer after turning 30 makes his team much more dangerous.

Will Carolina's offense run dry?

By winning a seventh consecutive opening series, the Hurricanes reached the trickier part of their schedule. They were outscored by the 2024 Rangers in a six-game defeat despite pumping 67 more shots on net. They managed six goals on 174 shots in Florida's razor-thin sweep of the '23 Eastern Conference Final. Finishing is a weakness whenever they're eliminated. It's promising that 11 Canes scored and Andrei Svechnikov buried five goals against New Jersey.

Has Jack Eichel hit his stride?

Eichel had a respectable five points but was outplayed by opposing star Kirill Kaprizov in Round 1, and the Golden Knights were often overmatched when he was on the ice (8-3 Wild at even strength). Contributions throughout the lineup helped Vegas scrape out four close wins (two in overtime), and Eichel's four points in Games 5-6 included a breakaway goal and a wonderful shorthanded helper. He needs to stay hot and drive the bus against Connor McDavid's Oilers.

Is Calvin Pickard the answer in net?

Stuart Skinner opened seven consecutive playoff rounds as Edmonton's starter, then lost the gig after two limp losses to the Kings. While Pickard didn't paint a Picasso, his .898 save percentage over four wins was just below the NHL season average and didn't undermine McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's scoring. The 33-year-old journeyman can devour shots: No qualified goalie allowed fewer rebound attempts per 60 minutes this year, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Will Connor Hellebuyck and his defense level up?

There's plenty of blame to share for the 27 goals the Jets, an ostensible defensive juggernaut, allowed against the Blues. Defensemen blocked Hellebuyck's sightline and let scorers waltz to the crease. Some shots, like Mathieu Joseph's wrister in Game 7, simply needed to be stopped by the Vezina Trophy favorite. But Winnipeg battled, and a frantic comeback completed in double overtime gives Hellebuyck a chance to enhance his .830 playoff save percentage.

Can Mikko Rantanen be stopped?

The Avalanche's season ended in infamy because Rantanen flipped Game 7 in one period with a late hat trick and four points. It was his second straight game with four points in a frame. The Stars' stingy defensive effort helped them win the decider and bought more time for Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson to return from injury. Rantanen, whose career playoff scoring average (1.28 points per game) ranks seventh all time, is his deep team's greatest weapon.

Nick Faris is a features writer at theScore.