Connor McDavid became the fourth player in NHL history to record four straight 20-point postseasons as he helped his club even its series and ensure the Western Conference Finals will require at least five games.
* Stuart Skinner climbed franchise lists for shutouts in a career and in a single postseason as he earned his third win of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs – all which have come without allowing a single goal.
* The Panthers can move to the brink of a third straight Stanley Cup Final berth when they host the Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final tonight. The contest starts at 8 p.m. ET and is available on TNT, truTV and Max in the U.S. as well as on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and CBC in Canada.
* The Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup Final hopes hinge on them mounting a comeback last achieved 80 years ago by the Red Wings, whose roster featured 19-year-old rookie Ted Lindsay.
McDAVID HELPS CLUB TIE CONFERENCE FINALS BEFORE HEADING TO OIL COUNTRY
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both reached the 20-point mark to tie Mikko Rantanen for the playoff scoring lead while Stuart Skinner made 25 saves for his third win and third shutout of the postseason to allow the Oilers to even their series before heading back to Edmonton. The Oilers’ win ensured their series will require at least five games – there have been only two Western Conference Finals over the past 20 years that have ended in four (2022 & 2010).
* McDavid (3-17—20), who led the League in scoring in two of the past three postseasons, became the third captain to reach the 20-point plateau in four-plus playoff years. He joined Wayne Gretzky (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 w/ EDM & 1993 w/ LAK) and Sidney Crosby (2008, 2009, 2017 & 2018 w/ PIT). In doing so, McDavid and Draisaitl (6-14—20) combined to become the fourth set of teammates over the past 25 years with 20 points in consecutive postseasons
* Skinner tied Curtis Joseph (3 in 1998) for the most shutouts in a single postseason in franchise history and surpassed Bill Ranford (3) for the second-most career shutouts in Oilers playoff history – a list topped by Joseph (5).
* Skinner, who made a highlight-reel save midway through the third period, became the ninth goaltender in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to record a shutout in each of his first three wins of a postseason and the first to do so since Marty Turco in 2007 with the Stars.
* WATCH HERE for full highlights from Oilers-Stars Game 2.
OVECHKIN WINS MARK MESSIER NHL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Alex Ovechkin was named the 2024-25 recipient of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, presented “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.” Ovechkin completed “THE GR8 CHASE” this season, despite fracturing his fibula and missing nearly six weeks, to surpass Wayne Gretzky for the most goals in NHL history – a record “The Great One” held for more than 31 years. Ovechkin finished the campaign with 897 goals, three more than Gretzky totaled during his legendary career. Click here for more.
QUICK CLICKS
* Mathieu Darche hired as Islanders general manager, replaces Lou Lamoriello
* Seth Jones, Taylor Hall embracing pressure of playing in Eastern Conference Final
* Pancake artist, die-hard Stars fan, shares new art as team pursues Stanley Cup
* Rangers ready to rebound under new coach Mike Sullivan
* Kevin Cheveldayoff, Jim Nill, Bill Zito voted finalists for Jim Gregory GM of the Year Award
HURRICANESãÄLàL1 “+®’¬HrM$Î18Q�1
Andrei Svechnikov and the Hurricanes hope to cut their series deficit to 2-1 as the Eastern Conference Final shifts to Amerant Bank Arena, while Sam Bennett and the Panthers can move within one win of their third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance.
* Svechnikov can help Carolina win a playoff round after facing a 2-0 series deficit for the third time in franchise history, following the 2019 First Round and 2006 Conference Quarterfinals. Svechnikov skated in the series seven seasons ago and head coach Rod Brind’Amour captained the club during the one in 2006.
* The Hurricanes can become the ninth team in NHL history to win a Conference Finals/Semifinals series after losing each of the first two games and just the fourth during the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68), following the 2022 Lightning, 1991 Penguins and 1984 Islanders. The full list can be found in today’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates.
* Bennett is set to follow up a three-point performance in Game 2 and has tallied in each of his past five Eastern Conference Final contests dating to Florida’s final-four round against New York last year. He can become the 12th player in NHL history with at least one goal in six consecutive Conference Finals/Semifinals games and first since Brayden Point (6 GP in 2021).
* The Panthers can post a 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final for the second time over the past three seasons after sweeping the Hurricanes during the final-four round in 2023. Florida can improve to 7-0 in seven all-time playoff games versus Carolina.
NHL PODCASTS WEEKLY ROUNDUP
* 100% Hockey with Millard & Shannon (May 23): Glenn Healy on the Maple Leafs’ Future, Updates from NHL Alumni Association
* NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers (May 22): Marty Turco still loves his Stars: Oilers PK struggles, Panthers keep roaring, Mickey 17
* NHL @TheRink (May 22): Western & Eastern Conference Final; Early series reaction, Sweeney extension, Toronto fallout
* 100% Hockey with Millard & Shannon (May 21): Inside the NHLPA, The CBA & More With the Executive Director Marty Walsh
* Never Offside with Julie and Cat (May 20): Gina Gostisbehere joins; Tailgating in Carolina, Chef Ghost, the Post Malone report
* Energy Line with Nate and JSB (May 20): Pete Blackburn discusses Conference Finals, Leafs’ exit, Sweeney extension
* NHL Fantasy on Ice (May 20): Conference finals preview
* NHL Forček (May 20): FORČEK 10. díl: Podcast s Eliášem o play off NHL
* NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers (May 19): Spike Feresten takes us for a hilarious ride: Panthers advance, Leafs implode and Conference Finals previews
* NHL Draft Class (May 19): J-P Vuorinen, NHL European Scouting; Top International prospects
* La Tasse de Café LNH (May 19): Le carré d’as est connu!
* NHL Schlagschuss (May 19): Episode 24 – Conference Finals, Leafs-Aus & Trainerkarussell
* 100% Hockey with Millard & Shannon (May 19): Ken Holland on Joining Kings, What’s Next in L.A.
