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Watch: Unlikely hero sends Oilers to Western Conference Final
The Edmonton Oilers are on their way to the Western Conference Final for the second year in a row after beating the Vegas Golden Knights, 1-0, on Wednesday night. It was an unlikely hero who sent them through in overtime.
Forward Kasperi Kapanen scored the game's only goal, knocking in a loose puck right on the doorstep during a mad scramble around the Vegas net.
THERE IT IS!!!
— NHL (@NHL) May 15, 2025
KASPERI KAPANEN IS YOUR @ENERGIZER OT HERO IN GAME 5 AND THIS SERIES IS OVER! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Ao34byyu3m
When you think of the Oilers and offense, your mind probably immediately goes to superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But sometimes to win in the playoffs, you need an unlikely source to step up in big situations.
That is what happened here.
Kapanen joined the Oilers early in the season after starting it with the St. Louis Blues, and he scored just five goals in 57 regular -season games with the Oilers.
Entering play on Wednesday, he had only appeared in one of the Oilers' playoff games.
Now here he is scoring one of their biggest goals of the season.
Goalie Stuart Skinner also emerged over the past couple of games as an unlikely hero, posting back-to-back shutouts. Skinner opened the playoffs as Edmonton's starter, but he was quickly benched after a miserable start to its first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. But when Calvin Pickard exited the playoffs with an injury, it opened the door for Skinner to again prove himself.
While it has been rocky at times, he has definitely come through when the Oilers needed him. Edmonton will now await the winner of the Winnipeg Jets-Dallas Stars series.
More must-reads:
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The Dallas Stars prospect no one is talking about but should be
The Dallas Stars prospect pool is full of talent with names like Lian Bichsel and Emil Hemming getting attention, but there is another rising defenseman who could surprise at training camp and become a key piece sooner than many fans expect. Christian Kyrou has been steadily climbing through the system, and his progress last season with the Texas Stars proved he may be closer to NHL action than most realize. Drafted in the second round back in 2022, the right-shot defenseman finished the 2024-25 season with 15 points in 36 AHL games while showcasing the same offensive instincts that made him a standout in junior hockey. What makes Kyrou intriguing is how his game translates at the professional level. His puck-moving ability and poise with the puck have drawn strong reviews from the Dallas front office, and he is starting to look like a player who could one day quarterback the power play. Christian Kyrou is positioning himself as the Dallas Stars' next breakout defenseman Assistant GM Mark Janko praised Kyrou's progress in a recent interview with Stars reporters. "He's been one of our most consistent puck movers in Texas. The decision-making is improving, and his instincts are hard to teach." For Dallas, the timing could not be better. With Nils Lundkvist still trying to lock down his place and the cap picture becoming tighter, an affordable option like Kyrou has major value. According to The Hockey News, his skillset fits perfectly with the NHL's trend toward mobile defenders who can move the puck quickly and contribute offensively. "He has the vision and confidence that you rarely see in young defensemen. If he keeps improving, he will force his way into the NHL lineup." I think Stars fans should pay close attention during training camp, because Kyrou might be the type of under-the-radar player who steals a roster spot.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's biggest find is ready to take a huge step forward, and it could be huge for Brian Flores' defense
After joint practice on Wednesday between the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots, I was asked by some members of the Patriots beat about just one player. "Who's 61? He's a dude." That player is Jalen Redmond, who has quite the story heading into his second season with the Vikings. He was playing in the UFL in the spring of 2024 with the Arlington Renegades. He was a signing the Vikings made on June 18th, 2024, which came after mandatory minicamp. Redmond was the 90th player on the roster and excelled throughout training camp to earn a roster spot. That ability is showing up once again. Jalen Redmond is taking another step forward The signing of Redmond was a massive win for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his scouting staff, especially Ryan Grigson, who was given a lot of credit for finding him. "I remember he [Grigson] called me and said, 'I like this guy.' I think it was late May," Adofo-Mensah explained. "You have to ask yourself, what's your standard for bringing people in, because a lot of good players are on teams already, so there's going to be something there that's not perfect, not clean, and earlier he had injuries, so you've got to understand why he's available, but ultimately here's why he might be a good bet. "And you saw the flashes for an interior guy with burst, his run defense kind of jumped out to me. That's the other thing, when you've been together for two or three years, and my history with Grigson before, he knows how to communicate with me, makes a cut-up, knows exactly what we look for." You can see the power and explosiveness in Redmond's game. He rarely gets washed out by the offensive line, and often penetrates the backfield with his ability. Where things have gotten really interesting with Redmons is seeing how good he can be from a short and long-term perspective. Last season, Redmond played in 13 games and flashed in a major way. While he went undrafted out of Oklahoma, it wasn't so much due to talent, but a health issue that kept him from being selected. He certainly looks like a player who should have been selected. Over the course of the season, Redmond got one sack and 6.0 tackles for loss to pair with 18 tackles. His ability to be a penetrating force on the line earned him a starting role at the end of the season, with two starts in his first year with the Vikings. Going into year two, Redmond shouldn't be overlooked. He won't be a starter with the additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but it shouldn't be much of a surprise if he approaches 500 snaps as a rotational player. His teammates believe he's a stud, something that Jonathan Greenard emphasized last week. "Redmond is a dog," said Greenard after Redmond's great practice on Thursday. "Jalen's been a dog since last year in training camp. I knew he was a dog when he got thrown out of practices last year. So I was like, listen, from that day forward, he got thrown out, he came back in just completely, just dominating. And at that point even to see it during the season and see him continuously build. Now I'm like, man, everybody knows, but when you see, obviously, you bring in two guys like JA [Jonathan Allen] and Grave [Javon Hargrave], you kind of think that he gets put in the wayside, making the same place he was last year, if not more. And that just helps us out to know that it's not gonna drop off whenever those guys get a breather or something like that. If I'm coaching, I'm putting him in." Don't sleep on Redmond going into this season, as he's only getting better.
Winners And Losers From Eagles Surprise Trade For John Metchie
It feels like there’s another shoe to drop after the Eagles acquired another receiver in a trade for John Metchie III with the Houston Texans. They dipped into their tight end depth and dealt Harrison Bryant in the deal, but did they really need another receiver? Well, they do if they trade what is now a surplus of them for something else – say another cornerback or maybe some defensive edge depth. And they certainly do if there is more to the injury that has followed A.J. Brown throughout most of training camp. It was general manager Howie Roseman’s second trade of summer. Last week, he on-boarded cornerback Jakorian Bennett in a deal that sent defensive tackle Thomas Booker to the Las Vegas Raiders. As of now, here are winners and loser from the somewhat surprise trade for a receiver: WINNERS John Metchie. The receiver leaves a crowded receiver room where playing time could have been scarce. Plus, he’s another product of the University of Alabama. He becomes the ninth player from the Crimson Tide program on the Eagles’ current 91-man roster, including Jalen Hurts, who spent three seasons at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma for his final collegiate season. Of course, Metchie could be a loser on this list, too, because he is leaving one deep receiver room and stepping into another – unless the Eagles trade one away. Kylen Granson and E.J. Jenkins. The two tight ends are in good position to stick around with Bryant gone. Granson probably will be the third tight end on the 53-man roster. Jenkins is likely ticketed for the practice squad, though the converted receiver has taken big steps this season in his transition to being a tight end and he is up to 255 pounds. Run game. Metchie is considered an above average blocker in the run game as a receiver. It was one of his strengths at Alabama and has only gotten better during his time in the league. Who Are Some Of The Losers From The Deal To Acquire John Metchie? LOSERS (pick a receiver, any receiver) Darius Cooper. After a breakout game in the preseason opener and a solid camp, Cooper was targeted only once against the Browns on Saturday. Of course, he played with a pair of quarterbacks who struggled in Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kyle McCord. Perhaps the Eagles’ plan was to slow-play Cooper in the second preseason game and hope to stash him on the practice squad. Terrace Marshall. The receiver started camp strong but suffered an injury that cost him some time. He returned recently and played against the Browns, catching two passes for 15 yards on four targets. He will likely be cut now. Or traded. Jahan Dotson. The receiver has had a strong camp and has looked extremely confident in his first full season with the Eagles. Perhaps good enough to trade for something Roseman believes is a bigger need after three weeks of camp. Has his job as the No. 3 receiver been compromised? Bubble players. If the Eagles don’t trade another receiver, they will probably end up keeping six, which means a job for one less player on the roster bubble. Perhaps an offensive lineman, for instance, such as Trevor Keegan or Cam Williams or a linebacker like Lance Dixon. Last year’s draft picks, Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith, have done enough to make the roster. Wilson didn’t play on Saturday, which is a sure indication he has a spot sewn up. Smith has a pair of touchdown catches in the preseason, both on third-and-goal throws. Maybe one of them will be dangled in a deal.
End of the Line for Mazi Smith: Former 1st-Round Pick Faltering
An ugly preseason for the Dallas Cowboys has only been made worse by the struggles of former first-round pick Mazi Smith. His performances have shattered any hope remaining from the fanbase for a career revival. It’s been a bumpy road from the jump for Smith: he wasn’t a popular pick to begin with, partially due to some Michigan-Taco Charlton PTSD. The on-field showing failed to pop in his rookie year, which was also clouded by a weight controversy that I’m sure Cowboys fans would love to forget. Things improved slightly in 2024, but the major jump he needed to take in 2025 is simply not happening. Smith’s preseason performance has been a major part of a larger problem with the Dallas defensive line, and I don’t know how much longer the front office can hold on. Could this be the end of the line for Mazi Smith? Would the Cowboys actually move on from a first-rounder just three years in? Let’s talk about it. The Facts: Mazi Smith Is Not Needed In Dallas If you haven’t watched these preseason games, you’re going to have to trust me when I say this: Smith might be playing his worst football to date right now. If you have been watching, you know I’m right. He is getting blown off the line of scrimmage, swallowed up by the interior offensive line, and has failed to do much of anything to prevent the run. Now, I know that doesn’t sound too uncommon; why would Dallas suddenly move on from Smith now if it’s the same struggles they’ve experienced before? The answer lies in the rest of the depth chart. The Cowboys do not need Smith anymore. His absence would not leave a hole in the roster; he is the hole in the roster right now. Smith, thanks to his status as a former first-rounder, is taking snaps away from guys who are playing well. Guys like Jay Toia and Perrion Winfrey are earning high praise, and at this point, they deserve to play over Smith. These are the facts. When you look at it, cut and dry, Dallas should cut Smith when the rosters go down to 53. The only problem is, they might not care to consider the facts. Why Mazi Smith Could Stay: Hesitant Front Office Holding On For Dear Life If there is one thing the Dallas Cowboys front office struggles with, it’s admitting mistakes. Often, they’ll have a bad decision right in front of their face, and they will turn a blind eye. Whether that stems from ego, hesitancy, or unyielding hope in their decisions, I don’t know. What I do know is that trait is the only thing keeping Mazi Smith afloat right now. For Dallas to cut him, it would mean admitting defeat after just two full seasons on a first-round pick, in favor of a late-round rookie in Toia, and a journeyman in Winfrey. That isn’t really the Cowboy way. Not to mention, Smith would carry nearly $3.5M in dead cap if released. That is also not the Cowboy way. They don’t take financial hits like that if they can avoid it. In this case, they can avoid it. It would not surprise me in the least if they hurt the on-field product to save a little money and keep the dream alive that Smith suddenly turns this ship around. Nothing is guaranteed right now, and you never know, maybe Smith does improve before the regular season starts. However, it should be a long shot for him to remain a Cowboy beyond these next few weeks; it is just time to flip the page.
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