2025 NHL Playoffs: Panthers Leaf, Oiler Cavaliers Preview

After just one game on Tuesday night, the standard of two games was restored Wednesday night, one of which could be the Swan Song of the recent Stanley Cup champion.

The first showdown brings the Florida Panthers against Toronto Maple Leafs (7. PM ESPN); these teams tied 2-2. Before bedtime, the Golden Knights in Las Vegas hosted the Edmonton Oilers (9:30 PM ESPN), the home team hopes to avoid the 4-1 series in just two seasons after winning all the games.

Continue reading ESPN Research’s statistical insights for a game preview, reviewing what happened during Tuesday’s match and Ardaöcal’s Tuesday three stars.

Showdown notes

Florida Black Panther with Maple Leafs in Toronto
Game 5 | 7 pm ET | ESPN

With the series rate tied at 2-2, ESPN BET put the Panthers as a favorite to win the -210 series, while the Leafs were +170. Florida now wins the Cup with +400, while Toronto has a +900 title.

When the two-point series tied 2-2, the Game 5 champion won 79% of the games in Stanley Cup playoff history.

Each goal from Carter Verhaeghe scored extended his lead to the franchise rankings for professional playoff goals. He is currently at 30, ahead of Sam Reinhart (24), Aleksander Barkov (22) and Matthew Tkachuk (20).

Brad Marchand won the trade deadline for Boston, scored 4-0 against Toronto in the playoff series and ranked third with the Leafs in Stanley Cup playoff history. His 33 and Henri Richard,behind Alex Delvecchio (35) and Gody Howe (53).

William Nylander led Toronto in the playoffs with six games, and he continued to climb the LEAFS professional playoff goal scoring rankings. With 26, he is tied with Steve Thomas George Armstrong fifth in the list; Ted Kennedy It is fourth, with 29.

Core four Mitch Marner's fellow citizens are also on the cliff of career milestones. With the next assist, he will join Doug Gilmour as the only Maple Leaf with 50 or more professional playoff assists.

Edmonton Oilers in the Golden Knights of Las Vegas
Game 5 | 9:30 ET | ESPN

The Oilers led 3-1 into Game 5, and ESPN BET adjusted the odds for the series champions accordingly. Edmonton is now -1000 to win the series, with the Cavaliers in +550. Edmonton also has the shortest odds at +260, while Vegas is +3000; only the Capitals have a longer odds at +7500.

The Oilers won 94% of their history when leading the seven best series 3-1. After trailing 3-1, the Cavaliers never assembled to win the series.

Adam Henrique scored only one goal in the first nine games of the playoffs and two in the first phase of Game 4. This is his second career majority game – the last time was in the 2012 Devils reached the Stanley Cup final.

Connor McDavid assisted Evander Kane's goal in Game 4, bringing his assists straight to eight games. This is Wayne Gretzky's third-longest streak in playoff history with Wayne Gretzky, behind Leon Draisaitl (2022) and Glenn Anderson (1985), who have nine assists in one playoff.

Vegas's Mark Stone has 36 professional playoff goals, tied with Jonathan Marchessault for the Cavaliers' chartered playoff record.

Teammate Jack Eichel won hockey online, but he scored only once in the playoffs. His 27-goal shots were the Cavaliers, but of the 43 players in the playoffs, with Echel's shooting percentage being the lowest of 3.7%.

Öcal's three stars start on Tuesday

Granlund brought his first professional hat trick to Dallas. Now, for the first time in his career, he has earned multiple points in a row in a playoff series.

The Minnesota native stopped 31 times in 32 shots to win. He is the sixth American-born goalkeeper to win 30 playoff games – Tom Barrasso leads the list with 60 strokes.

The star defensive player has received assists since January 28 and skated for less than 15 minutes in his first game.

Tuesday's review

Dallas Star 3, Winnipeg Jets 1
Dahl leads 3-1 | Game 5 Thursday

It was the star's Mikko Rantanen performance for most of the playoffs. On this evening, the center stage belongs to another Finnish who has been added to the trade this season. Mikael Granlund scored his first pro hat trick – and every period cut them out well enough to surpass the visiting Jets. Nikolaj Ehlers' 1:02 stat in the second phase is the only shot that surpassed Dallas's Jake Oettinger as an ode to “Otter Better!” From Dallas's loyal seat to Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck. Dallas led Manitoba’s fifth game 3-1 and pushed the third final over the past four years. Complete review.