Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Did Canadiens swing series on Capitals?

If Thompson has to miss any significant time, that could be a serious issue for the Capitals. His absence late in the season significantly impacted the Capitals in the standings and resulted in a late slump. 

When he played during the regular season, the Capitals were 31-6-6.

When he did not, they were only 20-16-3.  

That is a significant difference.

Whether Thompson is able to go or not, Game 4 is going to be one of the most raucous environments of the first round.

If Montreal finds a way to win that game, the pressure is really going to be on the Capitals. It might already be on them. 

Simon Nemec keeps the Devils in it

The New Jersey Devils needed somebody to give them a spark in their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils, and it was a very unlikely source who provided it.

Defenseman Simon Nemec was the hero in their 3-2, Game 3 double-overtime win to get them on the board against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Nemec has been one of the Devils' top prospects, but his 2024-25 season was a complete mess that did not see him take a step forward. He needed a moment like this, and so did the Devils.

With superstar center Jack Hughes out for the season, expectations for the Devils were incredibly low at the start of the postseason. They had zero momentum and were not given much of a chance to advance. They still might not, but at least for one night they gave themselves — and their fans — a reason to believe. 

Oilers goaltending is still a huge issue

Whether the Edmonton Oilers find a way to come back and win this first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings or not, they still have a major concern in goal that is going to keep holding them back and be a major concern until they get it fixed. 

It has been a problem for years.

It is still a problem this season.

They have done almost nothing to fix it or address it each season.

They made a goaltending change on Friday for Game 3, starting Calvin Pickard over Stuart Skinner, and it still probably did not fill them with much confidence.

The Oilers came out on top 7-4, but they're still down 2-1 in the series.

Plays like that cannot be a goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Or in any game at any point during the season.