May 20, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (undisclosed) will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. He has missed some practice time lately due to an undisclosed ailment, but the 32-year-old was on the ice for Tuesday's morning skate and has confirmed that he will play in the series opener. Martinook has averaged 3.6 hits per game over 10 postseason outings and occasionally pops up with a big play on the offensive end. He has registered one goal and five assists in the playoffs. Carolina will continue to use him on the third line alongside Eric Staal and William Carrier.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chip Alexander
May 20, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) is a game-time decision for Tuesday's Eastern Conference Finals opener against the Florida Panthers. The 29-year-old missed the series-clincher against the Washington Capitals last week due to an undisclosed injury. He was on the ice Tuesday morning, but Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour did not confirm that Chatfield would return to the lineup, though he noted that he "definitely wants to play." If Chatfield is still sidelined on Tuesday, Scott Morrow is expected to make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut. The 22-year-old could add a lot to the team after having a solid 14-game spell with Carolina during the regular season. Morrow recorded six points (one goal, five assists), 23 shots, and 16 blocks with a plus-four rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
May 19, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi scored a goal with only his effort on net and recorded three hits as the team's season fizzled out with a 6-1 home defeat against the Florida Panthers in Sunday's Game 7. Toronto's big guns were quiet again on the big occasion, as the team struggled to create scoring chances, but Domi managed to beat Sergei Bobrovsky a couple of minutes into the third period. The Maple Leafs matched an NHL record for the largest margin of defeat by a home team in a Game 7 and now have the second-longest losing streak in history in winner-take-all games with eight losses. Domi's campaign ended with a three-game point streak, but he was not a regular scorer during the year, finishing the regular season with 33 points (eight goals, 25 points) in 74 games. Toronto may see many changes next season, but Domi's future seems secure, having just completed his first season of a four-year, $15 million extension.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 19, 2025
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky improved to 8-4 for these playoffs with Sunday's 6-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky, who had allowed only three goals over the previous three games, was a wall in the Panthers crease again, stopping 19 of 20 shots. An effort from Max Domi snuck past him early in the third period when Florida already held a 3-0 lead. The Panthers No. 1 became the 10th goaltender in NHL history to win each of his first three career Game 7s. Bobrovsky, who has managed a 2.31 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage this postseason, will carry good momentum into the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, having won four of his last five starts.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 19, 2025
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov had two assists in Sunday's big 6-1 win in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers captain was one of the set-up guys when Seth Jones opened the scoring early in the second period and assisted Sam Reinhart on Florida's fifth goal midway through the third frame. With the effort, Barkov ended a mini-slump, as he had finished back-to-back games scoreless. Florida has had a number of offensive contributors during their playoff run this year, leaving Barkov fourth on the team with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 12 games. Next, the Panthers face the Carolina Hurricanes, against whom Barkov averaged a point per game over three regular-season meetings.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 19, 2025
Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones registered a goal and an assist as the team demolished the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Sunday's Game 7. The 30-year-old had gone four games without any points before finding his offensive touch again, netting the game's first goal and assisting Jonah Gadjovich on Florida's third marker. It was a typically busy night for Jones, who led all skaters in ice time with 23:42 and had four shots, two blocks, and one hit, while finishing with a plus-two rating. Jones has amassed six points (three goals, three assists) in 12 playoff outings this year, as well as 15 blocked shots and 28 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 19, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen finished Sunday's 6-1 victory in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a goal and two assists. Florida's third line had another productive outing, as each member scored a goal and the trio combined for seven points. Luostarinen finished last year's playoff run with only eight points, but he is averaging a point per game this year through 12 outings, having tallied three goals and nine assists. No other Panther has more points than Luostarinen, who has impressively done all of his scoring during even-strength play.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 19, 2025
Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand continued to terrorize the Toronto Maple Leafs in Sunday's Game 7, notching three points in a 6-1 victory. He scored the game's final goal during an empty-net situation and finished with two assists, becoming the NHL's leader among active players with 10 career Game 7 points. Marchand has been a thorn in the Maple Leafs' side for years and had another successful series against them. Only Gordie Howe (53) has registered more points than Marchand (36) in the playoffs against Toronto. The former Bruins star has been a great addition for the Panthers and is tied for the team lead with 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 12 games this postseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 18, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith hopes to remain with the team for next season after rejoining the squad in March. Smith was part of Vegas' roster during its inaugural season in 2017-18 and spent six years with the franchise before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023. He started the 2024-25 campaign with the New York Rangers, who traded Smith back to the Golden Knights for defenseman Brendan Brisson and a third-round draft pick. "If there's an opportunity to stay here and play for this team that would be great," Smith told The Athletic's Jason Granger following the Golden Knights' exit from the playoffs. Smith has played his best hockey in Vegas, and it makes sense why he wants to continue his career there. The 34-year-old has averaged 0.71 points per game as a Golden Knight, compared to 0.51 points when he has played elsewhere. However, the team may not have the financial capabilities needed to keep Smith around, with Jack Eichel's extension being a priority this offseason.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jesse Granger
May 18, 2025
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller turned 36 this month but has no plans to hang up his skates. "I'll definitely keep playing," Eller told Sammi Silber of the DC Backcheck. "My body feels good." Eller had a disappointing season and ended it as a healthy scratch for Washington during the playoffs. He posted 10 goals and 22 points in 80 games with the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, a significant drop from the 31 points Eller had the year before. Considering how his return to Washington turned out, it appears unlikely that we will see Eller suit up for the Capitals in 2024-25. However, the Danish veteran seems highly motivated to continue playing, with the Olympics on the horizon.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sammi Silber
May 18, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (upper body) will serve as Joseph Woll's backup in Sunday's Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. He was initially expected to miss a sixth consecutive game in the series, but the Maple Leafs can call upon Stolarz if needed. The 31-year-old has had a strong postseason, posting a record of 4-2 while allowing an average of 2.19 goals with a .901 save percentage. There is a good chance Stolarz will return to the crease in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes if the Maple Leafs can extend their season on Sunday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Elliotte Friedman
May 18, 2025
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will play in his third career Game 7 on Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, hoping to improve a 2-0 record. The former Vezina Trophy winner helped the Panthers defeat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 with 23 saves in Game 7 of last year's Stanley Cup Finals. Florida also sneaked past the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of their first-round matchup in 2023, with Bobrovsky making 33 saves in a 4-3 overtime victory. The Maple Leafs own a 12-15 Game 7 record but have suffered six straight losses in these winner-takes-all matchups, putting Bobrovsky in a good position to celebrate another victory on Sunday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
May 18, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (upper body) won't play in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers on Sunday. He will be out for a sixth consecutive contest, and it's unclear when Stolarz will be available to return. The Maple Leafs went 4-2 at the beginning of the postseason with Stolarz as a starter. Since then, Joseph Woll has taken over the crease, delivering inconsistent performances. Woll was fantastic with a 22-save shutout in Friday's Game 6 victory against the Panthers, but he has recorded a lowly .893 save percentage for the playoffs, allowing an average of 3.29 goals.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jonas Siegel
May 18, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (undisclosed) will play against the Florida Panthers in Game 7 on Sunday. The 22-year-old was banged up in Friday's Game 6, leaving him questionable for Sunday's action. However, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has confirmed that Knies will be in the lineup. Only William Nylander has scored more goals for Toronto this postseason than Knies, who boasts five goals with 29 shots on goal. In 12 outings, he has also collected a couple of assists while dishing out 31 hits. Knies is set to remain on the top line on Sunday and will skate with the first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: David Alter
May 18, 2025
Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues (undisclosed) will hop back into the lineup for Sunday's pivotal Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has been sidelined for a pair of games due to an undisclosed injury, giving Jesper Boqvist a chance to skate on the first line. Boqvist is expected to be a healthy scratch on Sunday. Rodrigues posted two assists in Game 3 against the Maple Leafs, but it has been a rough ride for him offensively this postseason. The 31-year-old has failed to score with 16 shots on goal and sits on just three assists through nine appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: Renaud Lavoie
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