Connor Hellebuyck had another shutout to achieve a franchise first and help the Jets evade elimination in front of another “Winnipeg Whiteout.”* Andrei Svechnikov scored the franchise’s second latest series-clinching goal in regulation to power Carolina into the Conference Finals for the third time since 2019.
* Friday features the Maple Leafs looking to force the first Game 7 of the Second Round and third of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they play the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena.
Hellebuyck has another shutout as Jets evade elimination against Stars
Connor Hellebuyck turned aside all 22 shots he faced while Nikolaj Ehlers (2-0—2), Mark Scheifele (1-1—2), Kyle Connor (0-2—2) and Neal Pionk (0-2—2) posted multiple points as the Jets blanked the Stars to stave off elimination and send their Second Round series back to Dallas. Game 6 goes at American Airlines Center tomorrow (8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS).
* Hellebuyck, one of six goaltenders in NHL history to account for each of a franchise’s first five playoff shutouts, recorded two in a single series for the second time in his career (also 2018 R1). He became the League’s third U.S.-born netminder with two shutouts in multiple postseason rounds, following Tim Thomas (2011 SCF & 2011 CF) and Mike Richter (1997 CSF & 1994 CQF).
* Hellebuyck became the seventh reigning William M. Jennings Trophy winner with a shutout while facing elimination. He joined Patrick Roy (Game 7 of 2002 CSF & Game 7 of 2002 CQF), Jonathan Quick (Game 5 of 2014 R1), Thomas (Game 5 of 2009 CSF), Martin Brodeur (Game 7 of 2003 SCF), Chris Osgood (Game 7 of 1996 CSF) and Dominik Hasek (Game 6 of 1994 CQF).
* WATCH HERE for full highlights from Stars–Jets Game 5.
Svechnikov scores late clincher as Carolina advances to Conference Finals
Andrei Svechnikov scored the series-clinching goal with 1:59 remaining in regulation as the Hurricanes reached the Conference Finals for the third time over the past six years and sixth time in franchise history.
* Svechnikov (58:01) became the second player in franchise history with a series clincher during the final two minutes of regulation, joining Eric Staal (59:28 in Game 7 of 2009 CQF). Staal’s brother, Jordan, opened the scoring Thursday before Svechnikov recorded his eighth goal of the postseason to move within one of former teammate Mikko Rantanen (9) for the League lead.
* Carolina earned its 10th series win under head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who has been involved in each of the franchise’s six Conference Finals appearances (head coach in 2025, 2023 & 2019; player in 2009, 2006 & 2002). The Hurricanes’ 10 series wins since 2019 rank second in the NHL behind the Lightning (11).
* Carolina will face Florida or Toronto in the Conference Finals. The Hurricanes have played one playoff series against the Panthers, which was during the 2023 Conference Finals and opened with the sixth-longest contest in NHL history (139:47 in Game 1). Carolina has also contested one postseason round versus Toronto, which was during the 2002 Conference Finals en route to the Hurricanes’ first-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance.
* WATCH HERE for full highlights from Hurricanes–Capitals Game 5.
QUICK CLICKS
* Alexander Nikishin makes NHL debut for Hurricanes in Game 5 of Eastern 2nd Round
* Kasperi Kapanen makes most of opportunity with OT goal to send Oilers to Conference Finals
* Charles Barkley has priceless reaction to Oilers overtime win in Game 5
* Sam Gagner ends playing career, named Senators director of player development
* King Clancy nominee Charlie McAvoy of Bruins embraces Boston tradition of giving back
TORONTO NEEDS VICTORY TO STAY ALIVE, FLORIDA EYES SIXTH STRAIGHT SERIES WIN
After the Maple Leafs took a 2-0 series lead on home ice, the defending champion Panthers have reeled off three consecutive victories and can advance to their third straight Conference Finals appearance with a Game 6 win tonight at Amerant Bank Arena. Toronto, which tied for the best road record in the 2024-25 regular season (25-13-3, 53 points), needs another victory as the visiting team (2-3 in 2025 postseason) to keep its season alive.
* Toronto joined Washington as one of two teams in the 2024-25 regular season that did not lose four straight games at any time (including OTL/SOL) and has not lost four consecutive contests (regular season or playoffs) since the final four games of the 2023-24 regular season over a year ago (0-3-1 from April 11-17, 2024).
* With a victory, Toronto would force its seventh winner-take-all game in the 11 playoff rounds during its stretch of nine straight postseason appearances. The Maple Leafs have played five Game 7s and one winner-take-all Game 5 over that stretch, and are 0-6 in those contests.
* The Panthers will look to advance to the Conference Finals for the third year in a row by winning their sixth consecutive series (last series loss was Game 5 of 2023 Stanley Cup Final). Florida would be both the first team to win six straight series and first defending champions to reach the Conference Finals since state rival Tampa Bay, which won 11 straight series from the 2020 First Round to the 2023 Conference Finals.
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* The last three defending champions to reach the Conference Finals the year after hoisting the trophy went on to advance all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. Should Florida join Edmonton in the Conference Finals, it would mark the first time in 16 years that both Stanley Cup finalists from the previous year returned to the NHL’s final four – that season the Red Wings (defending champions) and Penguins made it all the way back to a rematch in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final (PIT: 4-3 W).
