The moment around of the Stanley Cup playoffs persisted Wednesday night time with two video games. Here are some takeaways from the motion:
Stars proper winger Mikko Rantanen is on hearth
Why did not the Colorado Avalanche stay Rantanen? Colorado traded the appropriate winger to the Carolina Hurricanes in January. Carolina due to this fact traded him to the Dallas Stars in March.
Rantanen had a hat trick in a 4-2 win over Colorado in Game 7 within the first around on May 3. On Wednesday night time, he had every other in Game 1 in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets at the street, scoring 3 objectives in the second one duration. Per the NHL’s X account, he’s the primary participant in Stanley Cup playoff historical past with more than one three-goal classes in the similar postseason.
Following the 3-2 win over Winnipeg, Rantanen now has 8 objectives in 8 postseason video games.
The 28-year-old proceeding to hold the Stars is essential for his or her Stanley Cup hopes, particularly with left winger Jason Robertson nonetheless getting again to hurry. The left winger returned from a knee damage on Wednesday however had just one shot.
Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck nonetheless cannot conquer his postseason woes
On Tuesday, Hellebuyck instructed the media he was once excited for a “restart” in opposition to Dallas after he struggled in Winnipeg’s first-round collection in opposition to the St. Louis Blues. In seven video games in that collection, he allowed 26 objectives.
However, his woes vs. the Blues carried over into Game 1 in opposition to the Stars. He allowed 3 objectives and posted a below-average .875 save proportion.
It’s unclear why the two-time Vezina winner is faltering within the playoffs. During the common season, he completed with the NHL’s second-highest save proportion (.925 in 63 video games).
Regardless, he will have to rebound, or the Jets may well be in retailer for every other early playoff go out. Winnipeg hasn’t made the Western Conference Final because the 2017-18 season.
Maple Leafs left winger Mitch Marner discovered the ‘dad power’ vs. Panthers
Marner turned into a father on Sunday when his spouse, Stephanie, gave delivery to his son, Miles. According to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, Mitch Marner began writing his son’s first preliminary on his stick tape to stay him in thoughts between shifts.
“I’m trying to play for him,” Mitch Marner instructed Johnston.
Perhaps the considered Miles Marner gave his father some additional energy when he scored a key target in Game 2 in opposition to the Florida Panthers early within the 3rd duration. Seventeen seconds after Panthers middle Anton Lundell tied the sport at 3-3, Mitch Marner netted a wrist shot from the forums. His target sealed a 4-3 win for Toronto, which now leads the collection 2-0.
It’s protected to mention that turning into a father has spurred Mitch Marner’s speedy get started this postseason. In 8 playoff video games, the 28-year-old has 10 issues (8 assists and two objectives), his second-highest mark within the postseason in his profession.
Are the Panthers in bother?
The reigning Stanley Cup champions can nonetheless mount a comeback, however historical past is not on their aspect. According to Luke Fox of Sportsnet, the Panthers are 0-5 in a best-of-seven collection once they drop the primary two video games.
The Maple Leafs have not made the Eastern Conference Final because the 2001-02 season. Unlike previous Toronto squads, Panthers middle Brad Marchand thinks this one has what it takes to make a deep playoff run.
“We have our work cut out,” Marchand mentioned in a postgame information convention. “They’re playing really well, and obviously, their top guys are capitalizing on every opportunity, it seems like.”
In two video games in opposition to Toronto, the Panthers have allowed 9 objectives and blocked simply 19 pictures. Florida’s protection higher strengthen briefly, or its probabilities of coming again would possibly dwindle.