Last night’s NHL playoffs delivered some thrilling action, with the Florida Panthers edging out the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime, the Winnipeg Jets dominating the Dallas Stars, and Team Canada securing a solid victory at the World Championships.
In Sunrise, Florida, the Panthers triumphed 5-4 over the Maple Leafs, narrowing the series lead to 2-1 in favor of Toronto. Despite early dominance from the Leafs, who led 3-1 in the second period, the Panthers rallied back with goals from Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, and Jonah Gadjovich. Morgan Reilly tied the game for the Leafs, forcing overtime, but Brad Marchand sealed the win for Florida with a goal at 15:27 of the extra frame. The two teams will clash again on Sunday for Game Four.
Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets tied their series against the Dallas Stars with a commanding 4-0 victory. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck showcased his playoff prowess, recording a 21-save shutout, while Nikolaj Ehlers netted two goals to lead the Jets. This performance signifies a promising resurgence for Ehlers, who hadn’t scored in the playoffs since 2021. With the series now even, the Jets head to Dallas aiming for continued success after previous struggles on the road.
In international hockey, Team Canada kicked off their World Championship campaign with an impressive 4-0 win over Slovenia in Stockholm. Bo Horvat starred for Canada, scoring twice on the power play, bolstered by Nathan MacKinnon’s dynamic contribution, who assisted on both goals and scored one himself. With standout play from Noah Dobson and a strong performance from goaltender Dylan Garand, Canada aims to maintain their momentum against Latvia in their next match.
On the Calder Cup Playoffs front, the Abbotsford Canucks advanced to the third round by defeating the Coachella Valley Firebirds 2-0. Goaltender Arturs Silovs achieved a shutout with 29 saves, and Max Sasson’s power-play goal in the first period proved decisive. Marking a franchise milestone, the Canucks prepare to face the top-seeded Colorado Eagles in a best-of-five series beginning May 16.
Today’s games feature the Washington Capitals taking on the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Vegas Golden Knights facing the Edmonton Oilers. Both matchups promise excitement as teams seek to gain an upper hand in their respective series.
The NHL playoffs are proving to be a showcase of talent and determination, with teams fighting hard for success. As they progress, fans can look forward to more thrilling moments ahead.