By Basil Stroh
4 29 2025
TUESDAY has 3-2 series leads on the line, teams trying to evade elimination
Tuesday’s four-game slate features the Wild–Golden Knights and Oilers–Kings looking to take a 3-2 lead in their First Round series as well as the Devils and Senators seeking to stave off elimination against the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs, respectively.
* Kirill Kaprizov and Minnesota return to Vegas and hope to come home ahead after the teams split the first four contests. Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman can become the second and third players in franchise history with a five-game postseason-opening point streak (also Zach Parise: 6 GP in 2014), while Tomas Hertl can become the Golden Knights’ second skater with at least one goal during each of their first three home contests in a playoff year (also William Karlsson: 3 GP in 2023).
* Leon Draisaitl and Edmonton head back to Los Angeles, where the Kings opened the series with two straight wins following the Harmonica Class from the Koreatown Senior and Community Center’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The series has featured three tying or go-ahead goals in the final 90 seconds of regulation and can tie the League’s most in a playoff round set during the 1964 Stanley Cup Final between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings (4).
* Nico Hischier hopes to help New Jersey force Game 6 after facing a 3-1 series deficit for the fourth time in franchise history (also 2012 SCF, 2000 CF & 1998 CQF). The Devils went on to win the postseason round in 2000 before defeating the Stars during the Final to capture their second of three Stanley Cup championships over an eight-year span (also 2003 & 1995).
* Brady Tkachuk can help Ottawa force Game 6 after facing a 3-0 series deficit for the second time in franchise history (also 2015 R1) and become the fifth team in NHL history to win a postseason round after losing each of the first three contests, following the Claude Giroux-led Flyers (2010 CSF) as well as the Kings (2014 R1), Islanders (1975 QF) and Maple Leafs (1942 SCF). Tkachuk, who has strong family ties to Massachusetts, recently referenced another instance in major professional sports history.
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