News Summary
The Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars are just one win away from advancing to the second round of the 2025 NHL Playoffs. The Panthers dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning, leading their series 3-1, while the Stars hold a 3-2 edge over the Colorado Avalanche. Both teams are gearing up for critical games ahead, with the Panthers facing the Lightning and the Stars battling the Avalanche in decisive matchups this week.
Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars Move Within One Win of Advancing in 2025 NHL Playoffs
Florida and Dallas – The Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars achieved significant victories on Monday, putting them one win away from advancing to the second round of the 2025 NHL Playoffs. The Panthers dominate their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, leading 3-1, while the Stars hold a 3-2 advantage against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Panthers will have a chance to close out their series on the road in Game 5 this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are set to host the Stars in a decisive Game 6 on Thursday.
Pivotal Moments in Game 4
In Game 4, the Panthers secured a 6-3 victory, showcasing a strong offensive performance. Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell were instrumental in scoring the game’s first goal through a well-executed forecheck and setup play. The Lightning initially appeared poised to tie the game when Aaron Ekblad netted a potential equalizer; however, a successful offside challenge from Lightning coach John Cooper resulted in the goal being overturned.
Ekblad did eventually score a legitimate tying goal late in the third period, adding tension to the game. However, the Panthers surged ahead with additional offensive firepower, leading to a decisive win that advanced them to the next round of playoffs, even without key defenseman Aaron Ekblad due to suspension.
Stars Hold Off Avalanche
On the other side, the Stars faced a tough battle against the Avalanche. A controversial elbowing call against Sam Malinski led to a power-play goal, shifting momentum back to Dallas. Although Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen of the Avalanche scored two quick goals to narrow the Stars’ lead to 3-2, the power play proved pivotal. Following that, Stars’ players Wyatt Johnston and Mason Marchment added goals that extended their lead back to three.
Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger played a crucial role in their victory as he made key saves that maintained their advantage. His performance starkly contrasted that of the Avalanche’s Mackenzie Blackwood, who, despite having strong postseason stats, struggled to stop five goals on just 18 shots and was eventually replaced after two periods.
Other Playoff Highlights
The NHL playoff landscape was active on Tuesday, with several other teams vying for advancement. Notably, the Ottawa Senators defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the Carolina Hurricanes triumphed over the New Jersey Devils in a double overtime thriller. The Vegas Golden Knights also managed to beat the Minnesota Wild in overtime.
In another significant outcome, the Capitals defeated the Canadiens 4-1, marking their first advancement to the second round since their 2018 championship season. The Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho scored the game-winning goal in overtime, concluding a thrilling 5-4 game and securing a series victory over the Devils.
Looking Ahead
The next games promise to be critical as both the Panthers and Stars seek to secure their places in the second round. With high stakes and fierce competition, fans can expect intense battles as the teams continue to fight for playoff advancement.
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Additional Resources
- SB Nation: NHL Playoffs Contenders and Pretenders
- Wikipedia: NHL Playoffs
- Bleacher Report: 2025 NHL Playoff Bracket
- Google Search: NHL Playoffs 2025
- USA Today: NHL Playoff Bracket and Schedule
- Google Scholar: NHL Playoffs 2025
- NHL.com: Start Times for May 2 Playoff Games
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NHL Playoffs
- NHL.com: Hurricanes vs. Capitals Preview
- Google News: 2025 NHL Playoffs
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