NHL Power Rankings: Jets continue to fly high, plus what each team is thankful for this season
As we approach the end of the second calendar month in the 2024-25 NHL season, we also march toward “Thanksgiving playoff cutoff” season. So get your postseason team takes ready, because now’s the time to sling them. North of 75% of teams in the last 10 seasons that were in a playoff position by (American) Thanksgiving stayed in one by the end of that season.
That’s very good news for teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild, who many wrote off at the start of the season as teams on the outside looking in for the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.
However, the mythical Thanksgiving marker has no bearing on our ESPN NHL Power Rankings, which are once again led by the Winnipeg Jets. But in addition to an updated set of rankings, we are identifying the one item for which every team is thankful this season, whether it’s particular players, trends or a piece of hockey equipment.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Nov. 15. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 84.21%
Thankful for: A counterpunch. A lot of attention has been put on the team’s greatest start in NHL history, and rightfully so. But this week, Winnipeg suffered a 5-0 loss to the Panthers. The fans chanted “overrated” to the Jets as the reigning Stanley Cup champs trounced them. But two days later, the Jets got revenge in the heavyweight home-and-home series, going up 3-0 before doubling up the Cats to win 6-3. A big response against a team that is battling for tops in the opposite conference.
Next seven days: @ PIT (Nov. 22), @ NSH (Nov. 23), @ MIN (Nov. 25), @ LA (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 73.68%
Thankful for: A 13-game point streak for Martin Necas. OK, yes, the Canes have a lot to be thankful for. Second in the Metro Division, proving all those preseason prognostications wrong, but I wanted to throw some flowers to Necas. With a lot of the spotlight elsewhere around the league, Necas quietly put together an awesome 13-game point streak, amassing 27 points. He has gone pointless in only three games.
What a roller-coaster ride for Necas — from almost being traded to signing a two-year bridge deal to leaping out of the gate.
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Nov. 23), vs. DAL (Nov. 25), vs. NYR (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 76.32%
Thankful for: The protective cup. Sure, I could have chosen the Wild’s amazing start, Filip Gustavsson cruising (including a goalie goal) but Marcus Foligno gave us some absolutely wild information about Mats Zuccarello in an appearance on a Minnesota radio station. Zuccarello has been out of the lineup after taking a puck to the groin, rupturing a testicle.
“We thought he was going lose one nut, but it actually survived and he’s got them both still,” Foligno said on 93X. “Poor guy got hit where the sun don’t shine and it ruptured his testicle. He can’t even lift anything.” Foligno added that Zuccarello’s cup had a “massive dent in it.” This is yet another reminder that hockey players are incredibly tough.
Next seven days: @ CGY (Nov. 23), vs. WPG (Nov. 25), @ BUF (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 71.05%
Thankful for: It’s only “week to week.” Alex Ovechkin is off to the best season of his illustrious career — 15 goals in 18 games. He is 26 goals away from catching Wayne Gretzky for the career goal-scoring record. In his last game against Utah, he tied Jaromir Jagr for the record for most goalies scored on in NHL history, with 178 — then, a collision with Jack McBain left Ovi on the ice, favoring his leg, and he didn’t return to the game.
He is currently “week to week,” with the estimate being that he will return in four to six. The way the Great 8 has started this season and how incredibly motivated he looked to catch 99 this season, hockey fans are all thankful that he is not projected to be out for a much longer time.
We are now in that record-chasing zone where every Ovi game is an event, countdown graphics on screen at all times, think pieces popping up everywhere about his career and tallies. The Caps, Washington fans and hockey fans in general are thankful for the blistering start and hopeful for a quick return.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (Nov. 23), @ FLA (Nov. 25), @ TB (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 62.50%
Thankful for: No Stanley Cup hangover. The Cats picked up this season where they left off as one of the best teams in hockey. Where some teams might experience a lag, the Cats kept their foot on the gas, starting the season 12-6-1. Coming off his 57-goal career season, Sam Reinhart is fourth in the league with 30 points, and tied for the league lead in goals, with 15; his current goals pace would land him at 62 by season’s end.
Next seven days: vs. COL (Nov. 23), vs. WSH (Nov. 25), vs. TOR (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 69.44%
Thankful for: The best goalie tandem in the league. The Rangers could be thankful for a lot of things, including good news about Filip Chytil‘s injury, and having one of the best lines in hockey skating as their third line (the only line in the NHL coming into this week that had not allowed a goal while on the ice with more than 100 minutes played). But in one of the most important positions in sports, the Rangers are getting stellar performances from backup Jonathan Quick (four starts, four wins, .970 save percentage). Franchise netminder Igor Shesterkin is at a .914 save percentage, with a 8-5-1 record.
Shesterkin, I’m sure, is also thankful for the possible giant leap in the NHL’s salary cap coming next season, as he eyes a contract extension.
Next seven days: @ EDM (Nov. 23), vs. STL (Nov. 25), @ CAR (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 63.64%
Thankful for: A new nickname? Be honest; who reading this right now has ever called Martin Brodeur “Satan’s Wallpaper,” let alone ever heard of that nickname? It became a hot topic when it showed up as a clue on Jeopardy! earlier this month. Brodeur himself didn’t know about it. One of the contestants, the eventual winner, got the clue right (an educated guess?) “Satan’s Wallpaper,” though, has appeared in the wild a couple of times — in a 2009 Bleacher Report article, and in Rolling Stone in 2016.
Maybe the nickname can apply to this Devils team, which is cruising with a 12-7-2 record, going 8-4 on the road. Nico Hischier has 10 goals, 10 assists and is a plus-10.
Next seven days: @ WSH (Nov. 23), vs. NSH (Nov. 25), vs. STL (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 66.67%
Thankful for: Jason Robertson getting on the board. The California native dipped 29 points from a whopping 109 (and 46 goals) in 2022-23 to 80 last season. That’s still a terrific number. But Robertson had been struggling to find the back of the net lately, going nine games without a tally, finally getting off the schneid Wednesday against San Jose in a three-point effort. His linemates Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz also tallied. The second line of Matt Duchene, Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment is doing the lion’s share of the production, so it is good to see Robertson potentially start heating up.
Next seven days: @ TB (Nov. 23), @ CAR (Nov. 25), @ CHI (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 65.00%
Thankful for: An Auston Matthews-less hot streak. The Leafs lost their star scorer, who has been out with an upper-body injury since Nov. 5. He’s out of the lineup and out of the country, receiving treatment in Germany. Without No. 34 in the lineup, the Leafs have been red hot, going 5-1 including wins over the Capitals, Golden Knights and Oilers.
Next seven days: vs. UTA (Nov. 24), @ FLA (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 65.00%
Thankful for: A strong start. Vegas is still the top team in the Pacific, with a 12-6-2 record. And a big part of that is that October was even better than November, in part because Mark Stone was in the lineup and the top line was playing at an elite level. Stone, who has dealt with his share of injuries in his career, was day-to-day with a lower-body injury since Nov. 8 and was placed on IR this week.
The Knights have lost three of their past six games, with all three losses by three goals (including their first shutout loss of the season Wednesday to the Leafs).
Next seven days: @ MTL (Nov. 23), @ PHI (Nov. 25), @ COL (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 57.50%
Thankful for: More time at home. The Kings started the season with seven straight games on the road, and didn’t have their home opener until Oct. 24.The team was able to spend a lot more time at home in November, with a couple quicker road trips and California rival stops. As they say, there’s no place like home, and the Kings have lost just once in regulation so far at Crypto.com Arena this season. The team has another two-week stretch on the road in mid December, so it’ll be vital to bank some home wins around that.
Next seven days: vs. SEA (Nov. 23), @ SJ (Nov. 25), vs. WPG (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 61.11%
Thankful for: Point in warmups. The Bolts were without the services of one of their best players, Brayden Point, for four games due to a lower-body injury. The top-line center returned on Tuesday against Pittsburgh and scored two goals, including the overtime winner, as Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh 3-2. Point has 10 goals in 13 games as Tampa Bay now sits third in the Atlantic Division with a 10-6-2 record.
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Nov. 23), vs. COL (Nov. 25), vs. WSH (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 58.33%
Thankful for: Elias Pettersson and … Elias Pettersson. I could focus on how Elias Pettersson has found his old game lately, with points in five of his last six games, but we almost had a situation where two players named Elias Pettersson suited up for the same team; the Canucks’ franchise center, along with the 2022 third-rounder who plays defense. Just imagine how fun that would have been for play-by-play announcer John Shorthouse — sort of like when both Sebastian Ahos are playing against each other.
Next seven days: @ OTT (Nov. 23), @ BOS (Nov. 26), @ PIT (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 52.38%
Thankful for: A bounce back. For the second straight autumn, the Oilers stumbled out of the gate to begin the regular season. But the Oilers seem to be trending back into the right direction, going 6-3-1 in their past 10 games. Connor McDavid has 14 points in his past six. Of the past 12 games, Leon Draisaitl has had multiple points in eight of them. Edmonton is fourth in the Pacific, but it doesn’t feel like the doom and gloom from the first couple of weeks in October.
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Nov. 23)
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 62.50%
Thankful for: Hungry like the Wolf. The Flames parted ways with starting goalie Jacob Markstrom in June. Dustin Wolf, who played 17 games last season, has earned more starts this season and has been gaining acclaim. With a 8-2-1 record and .926 save percentage, the 23-year-old has forced his way into the discussion for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year; he would be the first goalie in well over a decade to earn that honor.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Nov. 23), @ OTT (Nov. 25), @ DET (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.00%
Thankful for: The superstars. Cale Makar led the league in scoring early in the season. He’s still in the top 10, tied at 28 points with teammate Mikko Rantanen. Nathan MacKinnon leads the way, with 34 points (and a league-topping 27 assists). That level of production is necessary for the Avs to stay competitive, as goaltending has been a concern. Both Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen are below .890 in save percentage.
The Avs currently have a minus-6 goal differential, and they haven’t ended a season in the red since 2016-17 (also the last time they didn’t make the playoffs).
Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 23), @ TB (Nov. 25), vs. VGK (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 52.50%
Thankful for: Home sweet home. The Kraken are 6-4-1 at Climate Pledge Arena and 3-5-0 away from it. Most recently, Seattle has won four of its past five games at home, coming off of a brutal road trip that started with a bang, an 8-2 trouncing of Montreal, but was followed up with four straight losses to Toronto, Ottawa, Boston and Colorado. If this team wants to make a serious run at a playoff spot, they’ll need to stack wins in all places.
Next seven days: @ LA (Nov. 23), @ ANA (Nov. 25), vs. ANA (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 47.50%
Thankful for: Pierre Engvall‘s demotion to promotion. Engvall spent 15 games in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies before spending the next four entire seasons in the NHL. However, Engvall lost his spot in Islanders training camp, and was sent to the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders for a stint. He has come alive in his most recent stretch, with goals in three consecutive games. With Engvall’s $3 million per year deal not expiring until 2029-30, seeing the big winger productive is a great thing for Isles fans.
Next seven days: vs. STL (Nov. 23), vs. DET (Nov. 25), vs. BOS (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 44.74%
Thankful for: A new arena (?). As someone who lived in the Ottawa area for a short period, I can say that the prospect of an arena in the downtown core is exciting — the current suburb locale isn’t exactly ideal. Commissioner Gary Bettman is in Ottawa this week, taking several meetings including with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, and touring LeBreton Flats, the site for the proposed new arena that was agreed to by the club and the National Capital Commission last September.
Hopefully there is more to be thankful for in Canada’s capital city soon.
Next seven days: vs. VAN (Nov. 23), vs. CGY (Nov. 25), @ SJ (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 50.00%
Thankful for: Accountability. The Bruins fired coach Jim Montgomery after just over two seasons. He leaves behind the third-best points percentage (.715 with a 120-41-23 record) in franchise history, but won just one playoff round. The team’s stars, including David Pastrnak, were reflective post-dismissal and put the onus on themselves.
“We weren’t getting the job done, and because we weren’t getting it done, we lost a great coach and a great human being,” Pastrnak said. Captain Brad Marchand added, “This is a reflection of our play and it was avoidable. And I think that’s the tough part about this, is that if we would have done our job in here, he’d still be around.”
Next seven days: @ DET (Nov. 23), vs. VAN (Nov. 26), @ NYI (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 50.00%
Thankful for: Maturity. The Sabres aren’t playing their best hockey at the moment, and Tage Thompson let it be known. Speaking with Field Level Media, Thompson said “It’s all about consistency right now. We know when we commit to playing the right way we’re good, and right now I think it’s just us being a little immature, just thinking we’re better than we are, instead of relying on what’s gotten us results.”
The Sabres are 8-9-1 overall, and 5-5 in their last 10. But the number that keeps haunting the club is 13, which is how many years that great city hasn’t seen playoff hockey.
Next seven days: @ ANA (Nov. 22), @ SJ (Nov. 23), vs. MIN (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 44.74%
Thankful for: Passionate fans. On Nov. 15, Utah HC jersey were on sale for the first time at the team store, and fans reportedly lined up around the block to pick up their threads. Not only did they set a Delta Center retail sales record, but it ended up becoming the second highest NHL single game merchandise sales total ever. Only Game 5 in Vegas during the 2023 Stanley Cup Final was higher, and that was a Cup-clinching game. You love to see it.
Next seven days: @ PIT (Nov. 23), @ TOR (Nov. 24), @ MTL (Nov. 26)
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 50.00%
Thankful for: Thanksgiving. The Ducks are probably the team most thankful for that “if you’re in a playoff spot by Thanksgiving, you’re in great shape” stat we always talk about this time of the year. The Ducks are only three points out of a postseason slot with three games before Turkey Day on the docket, including a home-and-home with Seattle, who are ahead of them by one point. It’s possible they are in a wild-card spot by Nov. 28, and get sprinkled some of that magical playoff hope pixie dust.
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 22), vs. SEA (Nov. 25), @ SEA (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 45.00%
Thankful for: Translators. Matvei Michkov had a lot of buzz coming into the NHL this season, and with Macklin Celebrini missing some time due to injury, the Flyers forward gained some early Calder Trophy momentum. Michkov has 15 points in 18 games, despite sitting a couple of games. Part of coach John Tortorella’s plan is to have weekly meetings with the 19-year-old winger where they hear each other out — which is where the translators come into the picture.
Michkov recently became the youngest Flyers player to score an overtime game winner, and has been every bit as good as that preseason buzz would have us believe.
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Nov. 23), vs. VGK (Nov. 25), @ NSH (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 45.24%
Thankful for: Robert Thomas‘ return. The Blues center missed 12 games due to a fractured right ankle and surprisingly returned to the lineup on Tuesday, notching an assist in the Blues 4-2 loss to the Wild. Thomas said he felt good on the ice: “I invested a lot in myself, and I’m pretty happy with the result and getting back so soon. I’m excited to be back in the lineup and look forward to getting in the trenches with the guys.”
The original reported absence was six weeks, but Thomas, who was injured on Oct 22 while blocking a shot against Winnipeg, skated with the team on Nov. 13 and played his first game back a week later.
Next seven days: @ NYI (Nov. 23), @ NYR (Nov. 25), @ NJ (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 47.37%
Thankful for: Getting out of California. The Wings had a dreadful west coast swing, losing three straight games to the California teams: 6-4 to Anaheim, following by 4-1 to the Kings then 5-4 in overtime to the Sharks, witnessing Macklin Celebrini’s first career overtime goal.
All of those would have been valuable points to snag given that the Red Wings want to make the leap back into the playoffs this season, but Detroit instead returns home with a 7-9-2 record, second to last in the Atlantic. Their first game back home was successful, a 2-1 win over the Islanders.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Nov. 23), @ NYI (Nov. 25), vs. CGY (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 47.37%
Thankful for: Playing spoiler. The Blue Jackets find themselves in familiar territory, hovering around the bottom of the Metro division. The Stadium Series game on March 1 will be terrific without a doubt, Ohio Stadium will be jumping, and that will be a highlight for every hockey fan.
But aside from that, it appears that they’ll be focused on spoiling things for playoff hopefuls; most recently, it was a 5-1 drubbing of the Bruins in Boston — a game which ultimately became Jim Montgomery’s final one as Bruins coach — and a 7-6 win over the Lightning.
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Nov. 23), vs. MTL (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 42.86%
Thankful for: Dismissing trolls. One of the hockey memes that has made the rounds on social media is Sidney Crosby photoshopped in a Colorado Avalanche jersey. Could it actually happen?
Despite Pens GM Kyle Dubas reportedly saying “everyone is available [for trade] but Crosby,” what if Sid links up with his Cole Harbor buddy Nate MacKinnon and they chase a Cup together? Has a nice “last dance” kind of feel for Sid, doesn’t it?
But despite the Penguins looking in dire straits at the moment and possibly in some form of sell mode — Lars Eller was traded to Washington last week — seeing Crosby in any other sweater remains only in the realm of fantasy.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Nov. 22), vs. UTA (Nov. 23), vs. VAN (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 42.11%
Thankful for: A Laine sighting. Montreal’s big offseason acquisition, Patrik Laine, skated with the team on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a left knee sprain. Though coach Martin St. Louis doesn’t have a timetable for Laine’s return to the lineup, Habs players noted that it was encouraging to see the former 40-goal scorer back on the ice.
Next seven days: vs. VGK (Nov. 23), vs. UTA (Nov. 26), @ CBJ (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 37.50%
Thankful for: The long-term Predators. The Preds had the busiest offseason of any team in the NHL, picking up three league veterans in Steven Stamkos, Jonathan MArchessault and Brady Skjei. Their start with the Preds hasn’t been ideal. A bright spot for the team has been two guys that have consistently been good for Nashville for over a decade: Filip Forsberg, who leads the team in scoring with eight goals and 15 points, and Roman Josi, who is right behind him with 14. Marchessault and Stamkos both sit at 10 points in 20 games, well below their respective career averages.
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Nov. 23), @ NJ (Nov. 25), vs. PHI (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 38.64%
Thankful for: Return of the Mack(lin). That first career overtime goal had to feel extra special for Macklin Celebrini, who was pointless in four games leading up to that game against Detroit. The No. 1 overall pick returned to the Sharks’ lineup on Nov. 5, after being injured in his first NHL game on Oct. 10 and sitting out for nearly a month.
He’s had five points in nine games since his return, and he’s also been preventing goalie goals, to which one particular victim, Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers, joked about the 18-year-old “[he should] be in school.”
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 23), vs. LA (Nov. 25), vs. OTT (Nov. 27)
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 37.50%
Thankful for: Creative photo shoots. A lot has been made about Connor Bedard‘s frustration. “Losing is not fun, so we’ve obviously got to figure it out. We’re not just going to be happy that we stayed in a game. We’re all NHL players. That’s not the goal, you know? It’s frustrating.”
One moment of levity came from Chicago Magazine. For their feature article on the 19-year-old, they spoofed a scene from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” where Cameron Frye (played by Alan Ruck) is looking at Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” in a Gordie Howe sweater. Bedard is doing the same, in his own jersey.
Next seven days: @ PHI (Nov. 23), vs. DAL (Nov. 27)
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun with 16 teams looking to be the last one standing after four grueling rounds of playoff hockey action. The Florida Panthers return to defend their championship, but will have to contend with regular-season powerhouses including the Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals and the Edmonton Oilers.
The Panthers first have to contend with their cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning, but got off to a strong start in Game 1 with 6-2 road win. The victory saw the Panthers leapfrog several teams to be given the second-shortest odds behind only the Carolina Hurricanes, who have emerged as the Eastern Conference favorites thanks to a 2-0 series lead over the banged-up New Jersey Devils.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, looking to snap the longest championship drought in NHL history, are up 2-0 on their provincial rivals, the Ottawa Senators, and are now among the top five favorites. The Capitals took care of business in Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens with Alex Ovechkin scoring his first career playoff OT winner and followed it up with a Game 2 victory to take a commanding series lead.
In the West, two of the favorites clash in the first round as the Dallas Stars take on the Colorado Avalanche with the teams trading wins in Games 1 and 2, followed by a Game 3 road win by the Stars which saw the teams essentially trade places in the odds race. The Jets have a 2-0 series lead on the St. Louis Blues, while the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild traded wins in Games 1 and 2. The Oilers lost both their road games to the Los Angeles Kings, who are considered the favorite in this series, and must now win at home to get back into the race.
Last year’s Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Connor McDavid, won the top award for playoffs MVP despite his team not winning the championship. This year, he hopes to win it again, but on a happier note. Below, you can see all of the top favorites for Conn Smythe, as well as the odds for every team to win their opening-round series, advance to, and to win the Stanley Cup.
All odds accurate as of publish time. For more, go to ESPN BET. 
Odds to win Conn Smythe trophy
The Conn Smythe is awarded to the player deemed to have been the most valuable to his team throughout the playoffs. Players listed with 200-1 odds or better. More odds available at ESPN BET..
Connor Hellebuyck, Jets: 12-1
Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes: 15-1
Jack Eichel, Golden Knights: 16-1
Anthony Stolarz, Maple Leafs: 18-1
Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche: 18-1
Aleksander Barkov, Panthers: 20-1
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals: 20-1
Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs: 20-1
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers: 20-1
Seth Jarvis, Hurricanes: 20-1
Adrian Kempe, Kings: 25-1
Cale Makar, Avalanche: 25-1
Darcy Kuemper, Kings: 25-1
Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes: 25-1
Jake Oettinger, Stars: 25-1
Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs: 25-1
Nikita Kucherov, Lightning: 25-1
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning: 30-1
Connor McDavid, Oilers: 30-1
Kyle Connor, Jets: 30-1
Logan Thompson, Capitals: 30-1
Mark Scheifele, Jets: 30-1
Sam Reinhart, Panthers: 30-1
Sergei Bobrovsky, Panthers: 30-1
Tomas Hertl, Golden Knights: 30-1
Anze Kopitar, Kings: 40-1
Leon Draisaitl, Oilers: 40-1
Logan Stankoven, Hurricanes: 40-1
Adin Hill, Golden Knights: 50-1
Brayden Point, Lightning: 50-1
Dylan Strome, Capitals: 50-1
Kevin Fiala, Kings: 50-1
Kirill Kaprizov, Wild: 50-1
Mackenzie Blackwood, Avalanche: 50-1
Mark Stone, Golden Knights: 50-1
William Nylander, Maple Leafs: 50-1
John Tavares, Maple Leafs: 60-1
Andrei Svechnikov, Hurricanes: 75-1
Jaccob Slavin, Hurricanes: 75-1
Matt Boldy, Wild: 75-1
Mikko Rantanen, Stars: 75-1
Pavel Dorofeyev, Golden Knights: 75-1
Roope Hintz, Stars: 75-1
Wyatt Johnston, Stars: 75-1
Brady Tkachuk, Senators: 100-1
Connor McMichael, Capitals: 100-1
Filip Gustavsson, Wild: 100-1
Jason Robertson, Stars: 100-1
Linus Ullmark, Senators: 100-1
Miro Heiskanen, Stars: 100-1
Nico Hischier, Devils: 100-1
Pyotr Kochetkov, Hurricanes: 100-1
Quinton Byfield, Kings: 100-1
Sam Bennett, Panthers: 100-1
Tim Stutzle, Senators: 100-1
Brandon Hagel, Lightning: 150-1
Jacob Markstrom, Devils: 150-1
Jake Guentzel, Lightning: 150-1
Jordan Binnington, Blues: 150-1
Joseph Woll, Maple Leafs: 150-1
Martin Necas, Avalanche: 150-1
Matt Duchene, Stars: 150-1
Pierre-Luc Dubois, Capitals: 150-1
Shea Theodore, Golden Knights: 150-1
Thomas Harley, Stars: 150-1
Tom Wilson, Capitals: 150-1
Valeri Nichushkin, Avalanche: 150-1
Victor Hedman, Lightning: 150-1
Aliaksei Protas, Capitals: 200-1
The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs have already included some twists and turns, including long-injured players returning to the ice and others playing through various ailments.
Two teams carry 2-0 leads into Game 3 on Thursday, and history is on their side: according to ESPN Research, teams with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win 86% of the time.
Will that be the case for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets? Or can the Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues notch victories at home?
Plus, will the Florida Panthers win another game in the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s barn? And which team will win a pivotal Game 3 of the Vegas Golden Knights–Minnesota Wild series?
Read on for game previews with statistical insights from ESPN Research, recaps of what went down in Wednesday’s games, and the Three Stars of Wednesday Night from Arda Öcal.
Matchup notes
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 2 (FLA leads 1-0) | 6:30 p.m. ET | TBS
With the Panthers up 1-0, ESPN BET has adjusted the series line to install Florida as the series favorite at -210, whereas the line was -115 before Game 1.
Matthew Tkachuk made his return after more than two months on the shelf, and scored two goals to help the Panthers take Game 1 in the Battle of Florida. Matthew and brother Brady both scored goals Tuesday, which was the 83rd time in Stanley Cup playoffs history that a pair of brothers scored on the same day, the most recent being Marcus and Nick Foligno on April 21, 2023.
Sergei Bobrovsky has backstopped the Cats to many playoff wins recently, and the Game 1 win was his 45th, putting him fifth all-time in playoff wins for goalies born outside North America. The leader? His opponent Andrei Vasilevskiy, with 66.
Nikita Kucherov won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading point-scorer in the regular season, but was limited to just one assist in Game 1. Will that trend continue?
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators
Game 3 (TOR leads 2-0) | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2
The Maple Leafs have won just one playoff series in the past 20 years, but they are halfway to doing so here in the Battle of Ontario. Oh, and speaking of decadeslong droughts, this is the first time the Leafs have held a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series since the 2002 series against the New York Islanders (which they won in seven games).
Max Domi was the overtime hero for the Leafs in Game 2, which was his first playoff OT goal. His father Tie played 98 playoff games in his NHL career, and never had one — albeit in a career where he was known more as a pugilist than a scorer.
Toronto’s Core Four continue to drive the train. John Tavares (two goals, two assists), Mitch Marner (one goal, three assists), William Nylander (one goal, two assists) and Auston Matthews (three assists) are in the top four positions on their stats sheet heading into Game 3. They’ve also gotten strong play from goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who became the sixth netminder in Leafs history to win his first two playoff games with the franchise — Ken Wregget, Mike Palmateer, Bernie Parent, Frank McCool and Lorne Chabot are the others.
One pathway to a comeback for Ottawa is for goaltender Linus Ullmark to steal a game or two. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner has allowed nine goals on 45 shots through two games, a save percentage of .800. Ullmark allowed just two goals on 50 shots in two games against Toronto in the regular season, both of which were wins for Ottawa.
Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild
Game 3 (series tied 1-1) | 9 p.m. ET | TBS
Why is this game so important? The winner of Game 3 in a series tied 1-1 has gone on to win 66% of the time in Stanley Cup playoff history (240-123).
The Wild didn’t want to take any chances in Game 2, scoring three first-period goals and keeping the Knights at arm’s length for the remainder of the game. Kirill Kaprizov reminded everyone why he was a Hart Trophy favorite before getting injured this season, scoring two goals and adding a ridiculous assist on Matt Boldy‘s goal. Kaprizov’s second goal tied him with Marian Gaborik for the second-most playoff goals in Wild history, with 12, four behind Zach Parise.
On the Vegas side, “Playoff” Tomas Hertl has shown up, scoring a goal in each of the first two games. The longtime San Jose Shark is the fourth different player to score a goal in his first two games with the Golden Knights, a list that includes Mark Stone, William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault.
The Knights are also hoping this is just a bump in the road for goaltender Adin Hill. He has an .833 save percentage through two games; that figure was .931 in three games last postseason and .932 in 14 starts during their Stanley Cup run in 2023.
Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues
Game 3 (WPG leads 2-0) | 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2
One other bit of history working against the Blues: Presidents’ Trophy winners that have won Games 1 and 2 of a best-of-seven series have gone on to win that series 95% of the time (tracked since 1985-86).
The Blues will want to track Kyle Connor closely if the game hangs in the balance. He has scored the game-winning goal in both games thus far, giving him five in his career, passing Paul Stastny for the most in Jets 2.0/Atlanta Thrashers history.
St. Louis rookie Jimmy Snuggerud — who was playing for the University of Minnesota earlier this spring — became the second rookie to notch a goal this postseason, joining Carolina’s Logan Stankoven.
Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou — who led the Blues in regular-season scoring and both tallied goals in Game 1 — were held pointless in Game 2.
Arda’s three stars from Wednesday night
Sometimes the stat lines don’t matter. The Avs captain returning to the NHL for the first time since lifting the Cup in 2022 is a moment that transcends one team, and is celebrated throughout the hockey world. Welcome back, Gabe!
1:22
Gabriel Landeskog makes triumphant return to Avs after 3-year absence
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog makes his return for the Avalanche after nearly three years on the sidelines due to a chronic knee injury.
Kempe scored two goals and added two assists as the Kings dismantled the Oilers 6-2 to take both games at home as the series now shifts to Edmonton.
Thompson made 25 saves, including some key stops on dangerous chances in the third period, to help the Caps beat the Habs 3-1 and take a 2-0 series lead.
0:48
Messier: Logan Thompson won the game for the Caps
Mark Messier tells Scott Van Pelt the critical role Logan Thompson played for the Capitials in their 3-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 2.
Wednesday’s scores
Washington Capitals 3, Montreal Canadiens 1
(WSH leads 2-0)
Another game that was perhaps a bit closer than the pundits (and the fans in D.C.) expected. Montreal’s Christian Dvorak opened the scoring in the second period, before the Caps answered with two goals in a one-minute span from Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome. That lead would hold despite the Habs’ best efforts, thanks to some heroic saves from Logan Thompson. McMichael added an empty-netter just before the final buzzer to ensure that the fans went home happy, and that his team takes a 2-0 lead to Montreal for Game 3.
0:34
Capitals take lead over Canadiens on back-to-back goals
Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome score a minute apart to put the Capitals ahead of the Canadiens in the second period.
Dallas Stars 2, Colorado Avalanche 1 (OT)
(DAL leads 2-1)
The big story here was the return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog after three years. And a first-period goal from Valeri Nichushkin sent the crowd into a frenzy. But the Stars have veteran players of their own, and captain Jamie Benn tied the game midway through the third period, before Tyler Seguin tallied the game-winning goal at 5:31 of overtime.
1:04
Tyler Seguin breaks Avs’ hearts with OT winner for Stars
Tyler Seguin spoils Gabriel Landeskog’s return with a goal to claim the Stars’ second overtime win as they take a 2-1 series lead vs. the Avalanche.
Los Angeles Kings 6, Edmonton Oilers 2
(LA leads 2-0)
For the past three postseasons, the Kings have been eliminated in the first round by the Oilers. Is this finally the year they get past their tormentors from Alberta? Continuing to score six goals per game would certainly help. Brandt Clarke got the party started with a power-play goal at 8:44 of the first period, and he was joined on the scoresheet by Quinton Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko, Adrian Kempe (with two) and Anze Kopitar. The Kings’ power play has been electric in this series, as L.A. has scored five goals on 10 opportunities with the man advantage.
0:42
Adrian Kempe scores again as Kings close in on victory
Adrian Kempe’s second goal of the night makes it 6-2 Kings as they take full control of Game 2 against the Oilers.
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