Kasperi Kapanen became the seventh player in Oilers history to clinch a series in overtime and propelled Edmonton to the Western Conference Final for the second straight year.
* The Panthers earned their third straight win of the 2025 Second Round to flip their 2-0 series deficit into a 3-2 series lead and move within one victory of their third consecutive trip to the Conference Finals.
* The Capitals and Jets will play to stay in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday, while the Hurricanes and Stars can advance to the Conference Finals.
KAPANEN SCORES OVERTIME WINNER, OILERS ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE FINAL
Kasperi Kapanen scored Game 5’s lone goal 7:19 into overtime and Stuart Skinner (24 saves) posted another perfect performance as the Oilers clinched their Second Round series and advanced to the Western Conference Final for the second straight year. The Oilers have reached the Conference Finals for the 12th time in franchise history, which tied the Blackhawks for most final-four appearances since Edmonton’s inaugural season in 1979-80.
* The Oilers are the first Canadian team to make consecutive Conference Finals appearances since the Maple Leafs in 1993 and 1994. The only Canadian clubs to make consecutive appearances in the final four in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) are the Canadiens (3x), Oilers (3x) and Maple Leafs.
* Edmonton advanced to the Conference Finals for a second straight year and for the third time in the past four postseasons dating to 2022. The Oilers reached the Conference Finals in consecutive postseasons for the first time in 33 years and fourth time in franchise history (also 3 from 1990 – 1992 & 1983 – 1985; 2 from 1987 – 1988).
* WATCH HERE for full highlights from Oilers-Golden Knights Game 5.
* Skinner became the third goaltender in Oilers history to record consecutive postseason shutouts, joining Cam Talbot (Game 2-3 of 2017 R1) and Curtis Joseph (Game 6-7 of 1998 CQF). The last goaltender to do so across the League was Robin Lehner (Game 7 of 2020 R2 & Game 2 of 2020 CF).
* Skinner became the fifth goaltender in franchise history to clinch a series with a shutout, joining Bill Ranford (Game 6 of 1992 DSF & Game 6 of 1992 DF), Curtis Joseph (Game 7 of 1998 CFQ), Dwayne Roloson (Game 6 of 2006 CSF) and Mike Smith (Game 7 of 2022 R1). He now has five career series-clinching wins, which tied Andy Moog for the third most in Oilers history behind Grant Fuhr (17) and Ranford (7).
* Kasperi Kapanen scored his first goal of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and first in the postseason as a member of the Oilers, after joining the lineup in Game 4. Kapanen was claimed off waivers on Nov. 19 and entered Wednesday with one career playoff overtime goal, which came in Game 2 of the 2017 First Round with Toronto. He also scored the game winner in the extra frame during the gold medal game of the 2016 World Junior Championship for Finland.
PANTHERS DEPTH PUTS THEM WITHIN ONE WIN OF CONFERENCE FINALS
Matthew Tkachuk (0-1—1) factored on one of his team’s six goals – Dmitry Kulikov’s game winner – while Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves to help the Panthers defeat the Maple Leafs and move within one win of their third straight trip to the Conference Finals. Florida heads home with a 3-2 series lead and the opportunity to overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a round for the first time in franchise history.
* WATCH HERE for full highlights from Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 5.
* Tkachuk (27-43—70 in 81 GP) became the ninth-fastest U.S.-born player in NHL history to 70 career playoff points, trailing Brian Leetch (54 GP), Kevin Stevens (56 GP), Craig Janney (64 GP), Jake Guentzel (72 GP), Patrick Kane (73 GP), Joe Mullen (73 GP), Jeremy Roenick (76 GP) and Phil Kessel (77 GP).
* Kulikov was one of six different goal scorers for the Panthers on Wednesday, including four that netted their first goal of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Panthers became the first team in over 30 years to feature 17 unique goal scorers through its first 10 games of a postseason and first to do so since the 1993 Kings (17).
* Bobrovsky established a franchise record for longest playoff shutout sequence (143:25 dating to Game 3), eclipsing John Vanbiesbrouck (141:31 in 1996). Bobrovsky’s sequence is also the longest by any goaltender since Robin Lehner (171:27 in 2020).
QUICK CLICKS
* Rick Tocchet hired as Flyers coach
* Adam Foote hired as Canucks coach
* Frederik Andersen healthy, confident with Hurricanes on verge of Eastern Conference Final
* PWHL notebook: Frost heading back to Final, Charge lead Victoire in semifinal
* NHL Power Players youth advisory board applications now being accepted
CAPITALS, JETS LOOK TO STAVE OFF ELIMINATION WITH WINS ON HOME ICE
The Capitals and Jets return to their home rinks with the hopes of keeping their Stanley Cup aspirations alive after a pair of back-to-back losses on the road. Washington looks to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-1 for the third time (2-10; 2009 CQF & 1988 DSF), while Winnipeg focuses on doing so for the first time (0-3).
Three of the past five postseasons have featured a team overcome a 3-1 series deficit to advance:
Florida Panthers: 2023 First Round
* The NHL record-setting Bruins sat one win away from the Second Round, but the Panthers lived up to their “Comeback Cats” nickname once again to become the second team in NHL history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Presidents’ Trophy winners (also MTL in 2010). Brandon Montour scored three times across Games 6 and 7, including a tying tally with a minute remaining in the seventh-and-deciding contest, en route to finishing with the highest single-series goal total by a defenseman in 20 years (5 in 7 GP).
New York Rangers: 2022 First Round
* Penguins forward Jake Guentzel became the first NHL player in a dozen years to score a goal in each his first five games of a postseason and Sidney Crosby became the sixth player in League history to accumulate 200 career playoff points, but Mika Zibanejad posted 3-4—7 in the final two contests – including factoring on the tying and overtime goals in Game 7 – to help the Rangers become the first team in NHL history to win a series by claiming three consecutive comeback wins while facing elimination.
Montreal Canadiens: 2021 First Round
* The Canadiens and Maple Leafs met in the playoffs for the first time in 42 years, but Carey Price rallied Montreal to three straight wins (1.83 GAA, .945 SV% in Games 5-7) and registered the 30th time in Stanley Cup Playoffs history a team won a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-1. Montreal became the first team in NHL history to win consecutive games while facing elimination, despite surrendering a multi-goal, third-period lead in each contest (Games 5-6), en route to a 15th win in a Game 7 – tied with Boston for the most in NHL history (at that time).
HURRICANES, STARS EYE BERTH INTO CONFERENCE FINALS
The Hurricanes and Stars are each within striking distance of advancing to the final four of the Stanley Cup Playoffs – a round each franchise has reached at least once within the past few postseasons but continue to chase its first championship in at least 20 years (last; CAR: 2006 & DAL: 1999).
* Shayne Gostisbehere (3-4—7 in 9 GP) shares the team lead in goals and points against the Capitals in the Second Round thanks to scoring twice in his past three games and now sits one tally shy of matching the franchise record for most by a defenseman in a single postseason. Gostisbehere, in his second stint with the Hurricanes (also 2023), was a part of the franchise’s previous berth into the Conference Finals and the club’s second with Rod Brind’Amour at the helm (2019 & 2023). A third appearance in the NHL’s final four since 2019 would tie Vegas, Tampa Bay and Dallas (seeking a fourth) for the most among all teams.
* Miro Heiskanen returned to the Stars lineup in Game 4 as the club set its sight on their third consecutive appearance in the final four of the Stanley Cup Playoffs dating to 2023 – despite falling short of the Final in each occurrence. Heiskanen owns 4-7—11 in 16 career games when the Stars can clinch a series; his four goals are tied for the most by a defenseman in franchise history in that scenario (Brad Maxwell: 4 in 12 GP) and his 11 points are one shy of the most by a blueliner behind Sergei Zubov (1-11—12 in 15 GP).
