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The Stanley Cup playoffs are getting closer and closer, as we approach the middle of the second round.
Every game is of the utmost importance, and last night we were treated to two very interesting games, as the Panthers didn’t want to fall 0-3 to the Leafs, and the Jets couldn’t afford to lose their two home games to the Stars.
Here’s a report on both games.
Brad Marchand saves the day for the Panthers, who avoid the worst
I sincerely believe that many of us picked the Florida Panthers as our favorites in this series.
The defending Stanley Cup champions still have a very good team, and they face a Toronto team we’re used to seeing fall apart.
It seemed like an easy choice, but after two games in Toronto, it was the Leafs who were surprisingly in command of the series.
And last night, the Leafs had the chance to shock the hockey world even more by taking a 3-0 lead in the series, which would have put them in a great position to advance to the next round.
The Leafs got off to a great start yesterday, scoring the game’s first goal after just 23 seconds, courtesy of Matthew Knies, who is having an incredible series.
MATTHEW KNIES GETS THINGS GOING JUST 23 SECONDS INTO GAME 3!
#StanleyCup
: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax
https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+
– NHL (@NHL) May 9, 2025
John Tavares then added another a few minutes later, extending the Leafs’ lead to 2-0.
The Leafs seemed to be in full control and on their way to taking a serious option on the series.
However, the Panthers were not to be counted out.
Aleksander Barkov closed the gap with a superb goal.
Aleksander Barkov gets one right back!
#StanleyCup
Buckle up, folks. This one’s shaping up to be a doozy!
– NHL (@NHL) May 9, 2025
And then, even though the Leafs restored their two-goal lead thanks to John Tavares once again, the Panthers didn’t let up, as they scored three unanswered goals to complete the second period with a 4-3 lead.
THIS. GAME. IS. TIED.
#StanleyCup
1:04 after the @FlaPanthers pull within one, Carter Verhaeghe buries it to even the score!
– NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2025
THE CATS HAVE THEIR FIRST LEAD OF THE GAME!
#StanleyCup
– NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2025
The game seemed to be slipping through the Maple Leafs’ fingers, but they found a way to force overtime, thanks to Morgan Rielly.
Sometimes you just gotta put the puck on net
Morgan Rielly has tied Game 3 up at 4-4! #StanleyCup
– NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2025
The game went into overtime, and the Panthers were simply dominant.
For most of the time, it looked like they were the only team on the ice, and that led to the inevitable, as Brad Marchand once again hurt the Leafs badly with the winning goal.
BRAD MARCHAND
His @Energizer overtime winner gives the @FlaPanthers the Game 3 victory! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/lRMM1ph39h
– NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2025
The Panthers have saved their skin thanks to hero Marchand, and are back in the series.
Game #4 takes place on Sunday at 7:30pm in Florida once again.
The Leafs lead the series 2-1.
Connor Hellebuyck rises to the occasion
Since the start of the playoffs, it’s been very difficult for the Winnipeg Jets goaltender, as he’s been giving away a lot of bad goals for a goaltender who’s recognized as the best in the NHL.
However, against the Dallas Stars in the second round, things are looking up for Hellebuyck.
The Stars won the first game, but the Jets’ goalie did well.
And it took another good performance from Hellebuyck for the Jets last night, who couldn’t afford to drop the first two home games in this series.
Fortunately for Team Canadiens, that’s exactly what happened, as Hellebuyck was perfect last night, turning aside all 21 shots he faced to record his first shutout of the series, and fourth of his career.
“NAH” – Connor Hellebuyck
Helle slams the door with his glove to take away a sure goal! #StanleyCup
– NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2025
The Jets won 4-0, levelling the series at one-all.
Gabriel Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers each scored their first goals of the series.
Gabriel Vilardi gets his first goal of these #StanleyCup Playoffs!
#NHLStats: https://t.co/IY9d4Wlkjo
– NHL (@NHL) May 10, 2025
NIKOLAJ EHLERS AND THE JETS ARE FLYING IN GAME 2 pic.twitter.com/HIffJUb3Mv
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 10, 2025
Adam Lowry was the other Jets scorer, while Ehlers completed the scoring in an empty net.
Game #3 of this series takes place Sunday starting at 4:30pm in Dallas.
Let’s see if Hellebuyck can perform away from home for his first playoff appearance this year.
The series is tied 1-1.
Prolongation
– Here are the two results from yesterday.
Friday featured the @FlaPanthers cutting their series deficit in half and the @NHLJets earning a Game 2 win to pull even. #StanleyCup#NHLStats: https://t.co/bsuoMzCuBt pic.twitter.com/sGaVjvLXWb
– NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) May 10, 2025
– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.
– On the program today in the NHL: two games #3.
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TODAY'S BEST
Volokhin’s contract, a strange team spirit in Ottawa and history for Schaefer
Have you noticed how the Canadiens have quite a few goalies in the branches? Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes are upstairs. Jacob Fowler and Kaapo Kahkonen are in Laval. But then there are a good number of prospects all over the world. Alexis Cournoyer, Arseni Radkov, Yevgeni Volokhin, Mikus Vecvanags, Quentin Miller and Emmett Croteau are all prospects whose rights belong to the Canadiens. We like the goalie strategy. After all, their development is hard to predict, and it’s best to take several chances before hoping to see a guy blossom. Of course, this means that not all goalies can play in Montreal or Laval at the same time. It takes guys from other leagues. And that’s probably why the Habs shouldn’t make too much of the fact that Yevgeni Volokhin, who is the third goaltender drafted in 2023 by the club after Fowler and Miller, will stay in Russia until 2028. It was announced recently, but it’s safe to assume it was signed before November. The Russian is only 20 and has had more playing time in the VHL than in the KHL so far this season. He’s going to need time to develop – and that’s okay. See you in 2028 to see what’s what, then? Nick Cousins in a state of indifference On Saturday night, Nick Cousins fought Jayden Struble. Of course, he didn’t have much choice in the matter, considering what had happened during the preparatory calendar. But something special happened afterwards, when he left the match. His team-mates didn’t really care. His club didn’t necessarily issue an update on his condition. He just… disappeared for the time being. Renaud Lavoie (not the first to suggest that Cousins isn’t Ottawa’s most valued teammate) spoke about it on the radio this morning. Weird, isn’t it? It seems that in Montreal, even though the club is younger and less experienced, we wouldn’t have seen this. The Canadiens’ youngsters are holding their own. The race for the Calder If Matthew Schaefer gets about as many points as Ivan Demidov, will he win the Calder? And if he scores more goals, how will that look? This is a subject that will be the talk of the town for months to come. Right now, the Islanders defenseman leads the rookies in goals (5) and points (10), which is pretty impressive for an 18-year-old defenseman. Yesterday, he became the youngest defenseman in history to score two goals in a game. That’s no mean feat. Lane Hutson has shown that a good passer in a club that makes the playoffs can win the Calder. So Demidov has a chance, if you look at it that way. But what the Long Island player is doing… Wow. overtime – Hard blow for Washington. – Interesting news. – He’s a good kid. – Not wrong. – What do you think?
Did Micah Parsons take jab at the Packers offense?
The Green Bay Packers' decision to trade for Micah Parsons was undeniably a good one. They already had an up-and-coming defense and a stacked offense, and adding a superstar pass-rusher who had yet to reach his physical prime was a no-brainer. However, as great a player as Parsons is, he's also drawn some negative attention for running his mouth a little. It took him nine weeks, but he may have finally given the Packers a taste of that. Micah Parsons takes a subtle jab at the Packers Following the shocking 16-13 home loss to the Carolina Panthers, Parsons pointed out that the defense did a good job of limiting Dave Canales' team. "He threw for 100 yards," Parsons said in the locker room, per Packers beat writer Ryan Wood. “If we lose a game like that in the NFL, we just didn’t play good. Not too many quarterbacks are throwing for 100 yards and winning.” The underlying message there is that someone else didn't do a good job, whether it's head coach Matt LaFleur, who called an over-conservative game again, the offense, Jordan Love, or all of the above. Parsons and the Packers defense held the Panthers to 265 total yards. They picked Bryce Young off once and sacked him once for a loss of eight yards, so he does have a valid point. Then again, given his history of stirring the pot during his days with the Dallas Cowboys, it's hard not to be worried about the toll this might take on his relationship with the organization.
Three offseason trade targets for Blue Jays to add an impact bat
The Toronto Blue Jays and their fans are fresh off the most heartbreaking loss in franchise history. Putting the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on the brink of elimination with two cracks to win the World Series at home, only to lose two nail-biters that each came down to the final out. It’s going to take a long time to get over it, if that’s even possible to do. However, they'll have to turn the page rather quickly because in just three days, the negotiating window for free agents expires, and all are free to sign wherever they so choose. Toronto will be busy in an attempt to retain the likes of star shortstop Bo Bichette and starting pitchers Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. At the same time, the front office must be active in improving its roster from the outside, whether that’s via free agency or trade. While there are some intriguing names for the Blue Jays to target on the open market, given their needs, heading down the trade route could make the most sense. Here are three ideal trade targets for the Toronto Blue Jays to add an impactful left-handed bat to their lineup for 2025-26 and beyond: Oneil Cruz | Pittsburgh Pirates Cruz’s name popped up in trade rumors ahead of the deadline in August, and it’s fair to wonder if he still could be available if Pittsburgh gets the right offer. The 27-year-old has all of the tools to be one of the best hitters in baseball, standing at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds with extreme power and bat speed. His numbers last season (20 HRs, 61 RBI), while solid, didn't reflect his talent, but it's understandable given the lack of protection around him on the Pirates. In Toronto, Cruz could slot in behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, immediately becoming the most dangerous left-handed hitter in a right-heavy lineup. Matt Wallner | Minnesota Twins The 39th overall pick back in 2019 may not publicly be on the trade block, but after its sell-off at the deadline, it doesn’t feel like anyone is untouchable in Minnesota. Like Cruz, Wallner, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, has big-time power, and the Blue Jays saw that firsthand when he crushed three HRs and six RBI during their three-game series in Toronto in late August. He does have some swing and miss in his bat (.231 career average), but with how often the top of the Blue Jays lineup gets on base, all it takes is one swing for Wallner to put up a crooked number on the scoreboard. Jarren Duran | Boston Red Sox The 2024 All-Star Game MVP has been in constant trade discussions for over a year now, and it feels inevitable that he gets dealt out of Boston this winter. Duran had more of an up-and-down 2025 campaign, though he's displayed the ability to drive in runs (84 RBI) and has power with even more untapped potential. Combine that with his speed and athleticism, and you can see why so many teams would love to acquire him. Trading within the division is never easy, but the 29-year-old would be a perfect fit in the middle of Toronto's lineup, so it's something they should absolutely look into.
DeMeco Ryans sounds displeased with officiating after C.J. Stroud concussion
Quarterback C.J. Stroud suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the Houston Texans' 18-15 home loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday when he took a crunching hit as he attempted to slide following a scramble. Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine was initially penalized for unnecessary roughness, but referees eventually picked the flag up after a replay showed that Abrams-Draine hadn't hit Stroud in the head. While speaking with reporters on Monday, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed his thoughts on that play. C.J. Stroud concussion showed when quarterbacks are, aren't protected "It’s a tough play," Ryans said, per Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. "Quarterback is sliding. I thought quarterbacks are protected when they slide. But what I’m learning is, as long as you don’t hit them in the head or neck area, if they slide and you hit them in the chest, then that is just fine. That is what I learned." As ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime shared, Ryans said shortly after the Texans fell to 3-5 on Sunday that he felt the hit on Stroud was unnecessary roughness because Abrams-Draine "hit the quarterback when he was sliding and giving himself up." Stroud was still in the NFL's concussion protocol as of Monday afternoon, and it's unclear if he'll be available for Houston's home game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) on Nov. 9. "I spoke to him last night," Ryans said about Stroud. "He’s feeling a little bit better. We’ll see how the week goes and how he progresses throughout the week." What Texans would expect if Davis Mills has to start vs. Jaguars Backup quarterback Davis Mills replaced Stroud against the Broncos and completed 17-of-30 pass attempts for 137 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Mills began Monday atop the Houston depth chart with Stroud not cleared to practice. "I expect him to go out and do his best," Ryans said about Mills possibly getting the start for the Jacksonville game. "Just play the offense the proper way and make great decisions with the football." Shortly after Ryans spoke with media members, ESPN BET had the Texans as 1.5-point favorites over the Jaguars. Ryans may not reveal Stroud's status for the Jacksonville game before Friday at the earliest.
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