It was a good night for the Florida Panthers on Tuesday in Raleigh.

Florida opened the 2025 Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes with an impressive 5-2 victory at Lenovo Center, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

One of the most exciting plays of the evening for Florida was the goal scored by A.J. Greer off a rush with Niko Mikkola and Tomas Nosek.

A play that Mikkola started in the defensive end quickly transitioned into a rush opportunity, and after a couple quick passes, Greer was scoring what wound up as the game-winning goal.

But as Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice explained after the game, the goal came on a play that he would rather not see made, and the bench had some fun at his expense as a result of it.

Now bear with me, as I hope most (if not all) of you get this pop culture reference.

In the movie “Major League,” there is a part where outfielder Willie Mays Hayes makes a fancy catch and when he gets back to the dugout, as he’s being congratulated by teammates, his manager Lou Brown gives him a high five and says, “Nice catch Hayes, don’t ever f---ing do it again.”

Yeah, that was Maurice on the Panthers bench after the Greer goal.

"I was mocked heavily on the bench for that goal. Heavily," Maurice said. "There's a wonderful inside play to Mikkola at line, which I abhor. We're going to do everything we can to never see that again."

Here's what happened.

As Mikkola rushed up the middle of the ice with Tomas Nosek, who had the puck through the neutral zone along the boards, Nosek decided to make a backhand pass to Mikkola as they crossed the blue line.

The pass crossed over a pair of Hurricanes’ sticks before landing perfectly on Mikkola’s tape, and he continued driving toward the net before making the pass to Greer.

NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) on XFlorida goal! Scored by A.J. Greer with 16:27 remaining in the 2nd period. Assisted by Niko Mikkola and Tomas Nosek. Carolina: 1 Florida: 3 #FLAvsCAR #RaiseUp #TimeToHunt

Now, if Nosek's pass gets deflected or intercepted, suddenly you have a major problem heading back toward your goaltender, with at least three Panthers players having all their momentum going the wrong way.

“If you make those plays, you have to make it,” Nosek said with a smile. “If you don’t, then you’re in trouble, that’s for sure.”

Fortunately for Florida, that did not happen, and instead they scored a nice rush goal with some pretty passing included in the process.

It also allowed for some light moments on the bench, as the Panthers players were all well aware of how much their coach doesn't like to see passes like that.

"It was a wonderful play by Nosek," Maurice said, before adding, "that you're not going to see again."

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Photo caption: Feb 22, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice reacts from behind the bench during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Florida Panthers got their latest playoff series off to a strong start.

Traveling to Lenovo Center in Raleigh, the Panthers skated to a resounding 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.

It was Carolina's first loss on home ice during the postseason.

Playing in a hostile environment is nothing new to the Panthers, who have emerged as one of the top road teams during the playoffs.

So far, Florida holds an impressive 6-2 mark when playing away from Sunrise.

Not too shabby, especially when considering that the Panthers will not have home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Final, if they get past the Hurricanes, that is.

We've still got a ways to go before we have to start worrying about that.

Let's get to the Game 1 takeaways:

POWER PLAY POWERS WIN

Simply on the surface, Florida picking up a pair of power play goals during their Game 1 win was a huge part of it.

Any time you get contributions from special teams, particularly during the playoffs, it's a big key to winning.

Doing against the Hurricanes' penalty kill, which has been by far the best during the postseason, is an even bigger deal.

Does it mean that Florida is going to dominate special teams during the conference final? Probably not.

The early success does give the Panthers something to hang their hats on as they continue grinding away against a team that is not that dissimilar than Florida is in a lot of ways.

"That's important," Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said of the power play success. "This whole thing is a confidence game, so you can get to the next game feeling good about it. They're going to make adjustments. There's a lot of broken play goals in this. We have almost identical penalty kills, so there's not usually the stuff you see on TV where it's seven passes to the seam, the pucks are all contested on both team's penalty kills. So you get a couple to go for you, you get to feel a little bit better, you get a little more confident in handling the pressure of the other team's pressure, you don't get frustrated."

ADJUSTING TO CANES’ RUSH

As the Panthers have worked their way through the Eastern Conference postseason bracket, they have faced some very strong, and very different, playoff opponents.

There is going to be an adjustment period when going from trying to defend a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs and then facing Carolina, a group that does things very different than the Leafs.

As Maurice explained, it's nothing they haven't had to do before, but there is still going to be a learning curve.

"I didn't love our game tonight, but I understood it," Maurice said. "It's a significant style change. The Game 1 is that first look at what your game looks like in a completely different opponent. So we will have to continue to build that game and get better. We had some good finishes, I thought they had good chances they didn't finish on. It's a little bit what it looks like when these two teams play. Sergei (Bobrovsky) was very strong. It's a different style of rush game than we've seen, so we were just okay with how we handled it. We have to make adjustments, but I maybe have felt that in our first game in each of the previous two (series). We went into Tampa and won, but we scored three power play goals, I think on three chances, and that was 30 minutes in the game and it's like 6-2 or something like that. And then we went into Toronto, and we struggled with their rush offense, so we've got work to do."

CAN'T STOP WON'T STOP

The keys to Florida's success are no secret.

They're physical, they're aggressive and they're excellent when it comes to playing a strong, five-man defensive unit.

It's that strong possession defense that drives Florida's transition game and ultimately, their offense.

Now they must find a way to adjust to defending a team that is very similar to Florida in a lot of ways, and then turn that defense into offense.

"It's a different style than we've seen," Maurice explained. "Tampa and Toronto are so dynamic up the middle of the ice, they'll break off early and go. I think by the end of the series, we had an understanding of it. (Carolina) was more of the double swing off the weak side that we didn't pick up very well. So this is true of Carolina and us: We probably both value puck pressure as much as anything else, and I don't want to sacrifice the puck pressure on a couple of plays that they get in behind us. We're not reckless with our forecheck, which it's fairly defined, but when you play a team like this, and they get in behind you, or they get odd-man rushes, you're missing some sort of change of sides detail. And every team is different. So there'll be teams with center-under on the breakout, there's center-over on the breakout, there's a whole bunch of different ways teams do it, you just have to see it and then adjust to it. So I didn't think we were great with that adjustment. We had guys pulling off when they shouldn't, guys going forward when they shouldn't, but this isn't anything new for us. Because of the way we play, we deal with this all the time. Now, that doesn't mean we're going to get it sorted out. I think you saw during the (Stanley Cup) Final last year, I'm not sure we ever had that thing sorted out, but we at least understand our vulnerability in the way we play, and we won't sacrifice that aggressiveness to cover off. That's what Bob is for."

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Photo caption: May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) controls the puck during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

There had been some speculation after the end of their season that the Buffalo Sabres may be considering a major move involving restricted free agent defenseman Bowen Byram, and that gained some significant momentum on Wednesday, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on his 32 Thoughts podcast that the Sabres are gauging trade interest in the 23-year-old blueliner. 

Byram was acquired in March 2024 in exchange for center Casey Mittelstadt and scored a career-high 38 points last season. That was an impressive feat since the Cup winner was seldom used on the power play and registered all but three of those points at even strength.  

This morning on the “32 Thoughts” Podcast, Elliotte Friedman reports that Kevyn Adams is gauging the market value for Defenseman Bowen Byram.

“There is no doubt his name is out there”

The narrative still is that there is a desire from Byram to have a bigger role. But with… pic.twitter.com/aMctdnv3mz

— 2 Goalies 1 Mic (@2Goalies1Mic) May 21, 2025

Friedman indicated that Byram’s name has been circulating, even though the Sabres have control over him for two more years before qualifying for unrestricted free agency. Byram is likely looking for an opportunity to be a #1 defenseman, which he had little opportunity to be in Colorado with Cale Makar and Devon Toews on the top pairing, and that is a similar circumstance in Buffalo with a crowded left side with team captain Rasmus Dahlin and 2021 top overall pick Owen Power signed to long-term deals.

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Byram was connected to his hometown Vancouver Canucks in rumors during the season, but that was linked to the possibility of a Elias Pettersson trade and that does not seem realistic after the Canucks sent JT Miller to the NY Rangers. It is likely that the Sabres would be looking for a defenseman-for-defenseman swap, since the club is extremely weak on the right-side of the blueline. 

LA Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke is someone who was rumored to be possibly on the block before the deadline and could be an attractive target for the Sabres since he is still on his entry-level contract, but a deal for an impact forward cannot be ruled out, since Buffalo is looking to upgrade and augment their roster after missing the playoffs for a 14th straight season.  

 

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As the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded their locker cleanouts on Tuesday, their PR staff said they'd be in touch regarding future media availabilities.

There was no mention of who might speak, whether it's Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan, GM Brad Treliving, or Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment President and CEO Keith Pelley. Shanahan is reportedly in the final year of his contract after joining the organization to begin a full rebuild in April 2014.

After another difficult playoff exit, losing 6-1 in Game 7 to the Florida Panthers, Shanahan's return remains in question.

According to The Athletic's Chris Johnston, the MLSE board will meet on Thursday for a full season review. It's unknown whether anything, such as firings or other changes, will come from the meeting.

It's Shanahan's 11th season at the helm of the Maple Leafs. His tenure has featured plenty of positives, including the additions of Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander through the draft, and John Tavares through free agency.

'I Haven't Processed Anything Yet': Does Mitch Marner Want To Return To The Maple Leafs Next Season?As soon as the final horn sounded after the Toronto Maple Leafs' 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of their second-round series, Mitch Marner was the very last player to leave the ice. He looked like a player who may have played his last game with the club.

For the first time since 2004, the Maple Leafs reached beyond the first round, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023 (and the Ottawa Senators this year). However, after that series — and their latest playoffs — Toronto was bounced out of the postseason in the second round by the Panthers.

This year, though, was the most difficult yet, with the Maple Leafs being outscored 12-2 in their final two home games (Games 5 and 7) of the playoffs. "The way that series ended has left ownership disappointed and embarrassed, according to sources," Johnston wrote.

'It Hurts Right Now': Craig Berube Urges Maple Leafs to Remember Playoff Disappointment, Pins Game 7 Loss on StructureCraig Berube didn't mince any words about why he felt his team struggled in Game 7 and other points in the Toronto Maple Leafs' second-round playoff loss to the Florida Panthers.

The NHL insider added that the New York Islanders "have expressed interest in speaking to [Shanahan] about their top hockey job." Lou Lamoriello, who held top management positions with the Islanders for seven seasons, announced in April that New York wouldn't renew his contract.

Further, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Islanders have asked permission to speak with Shanahan, however, there's no word on MLSE's response. Sportsnet confirmed shortly after that the Maple Leafs permitted the Islanders to speak with Shanahan.

Johnston previously reported that changes within the Maple Leafs might go beyond Shanahan, but wrote on Wednesday: "While Shanahan’s future with the club is still being determined, there is a positive internal view on the job Treliving has done in his first two years as GM. He’s under contract beyond this season."

In Treliving's two seasons as GM, he's reshaped Toronto's defense corps, adding Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson this past summer, Simon Benoit two summers ago, and Brandon Carlo, who has two more years on his contract, at the 2024 trade deadline.

‘That's Not What I'm Thinking About’: Morgan Rielly Downplays Possibility Of Moving On From Maple Leafs Amidst Uncertain OffseasonFacing questions about his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the team’s end-of-season media availability on Tuesday, the team’s longest-tenured player, Morgan Rielly, made it clear that he’s not thinking about leaving.

With Shanahan at the helm of the entire Maple Leafs project, the organization has two playoff series wins through nine seasons.

"I think our team made a lot of great strides this year. Did a lot of things, accomplished a lot of things. I really enjoyed working with this group," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said on Tuesday.

"We all look at Game 7 and nobody's happy. That's understandable. But, we did a lot of things here that I'm very proud of them."

---

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Dallas Stars host Edmonton Oilers Wednesday for Game 1 of Western Conference Finals rematch

For the second consecutive season, the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are set to face off in the Western Conference Final with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line.

The Stars, making their third straight appearance in the conference finals, punched their ticket by eliminating the Winnipeg Jets in six games, capped off by a dramatic overtime win in Game 6 by Thomas Harley.

With a deep, veteran-laden lineup and a strong defensive structure, Dallas is aiming to finally break through after falling short in their previous two trips. They'll also carry the psychological edge of having ousted Edmonton at this same stage last season.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

But the Oilers arrive with momentum and a score to settle after losing in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals last season. Edmonton shocked the always-feisty Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, dispatching them in just five games with a tense 1-0 overtime win in Game 5, proving the Oilers can win tight, defensive battles. 

Still, goaltending remains a question mark, with inconsistency from netminder Stuart Skinner creeping in at times this postseason. Whether that vulnerability will be exposed or masked against a Stars team that has struggled to find consistent depth scoring could define the series. 

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL:Stars Insider Gives Best Bets For Western Conference Finals versus Edmonton Oilers

Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers Best Bets:

• Over 5.5 goals (-156)
• Wyatt Johnston Over 0.5 points (-132)
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Over 0.5 points (-111)

When these two faced off last postseason, it was a bit of a slugfest with five goals in the first game (with no goals scored in the first period) followed by three of the next five games totalling under five goals.

The goaltenders really showed up and I expect this to completely flip as the Oilers will be looking to stay on the offensive and keep the Stars away from Stuart Skinner or at least limit quality chances like they did versus the Golden Knights in the second round. 

I would expect the kind of game where we see a high number of goals, typical for a series-opening game as both sides will be trying to feel each other out, but not a lot of shot attempts.

The lines for most of these playoff games have been lowered to 5.5 most of the time and the unders have been hitting towards the end of rounds as teams start to solve the other but this is an early game and the sportsbooks have it set at a high 6.5 and for good reason. 

When on the fence, its safe to go with what the oddsmakers are telling you and that's this one will be a high-scoring affair that's why they have such a high odd for the under cause they want to trap people into believing a defensive showdown is coming.

This bet would work even better if you wait a few minutes into the game before taking as the odds may drop without an early goal plus some sportsbooks like FanDuel occasionally provide bet boosts for bets taken live during the game. 

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

I expect a big game from Wyatt Johnston, who Stars insider Taylor Newby recently referenced in one of our recent stories as being due for a big series.

Mmmm

The 22-year-old youngster has points in just one of the last five games and should bounce back in a big way against an Oilers team he has a great history against. With five goals and two assists for seven points over his last eight games versus the Oilers, Johnston should continue to mash. 

For the Oilers, we have seen a lot of scoring from their depth forwards with 19 goals from their bottom six so far this postseason. I expect the top end forwards to show what they are made of in this one and have a sizeable performance, starting with Connor McDavid's winger Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

The former first overall pick in 2011 has played exceptionally well alongside one of the league's best players in McDavid with points in seven of the Oilers' 11 playoff games so far.

Nugent-Hopkins proved to be a gamer against the Stars with two goals in game five of the conference finals last postseason and put his team firmly in the driver seat of the series with a 3-2 lead.

He should play a pivotal role once again and comes in at a great value as he plays the third-most minutes of any Oilers forward as he centres the first power play unit.

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Trevor Connelly was acquired from the Spokane Chiefs by the Penticton Vees in the WHL expansion draft.

Prior to the start of the 2024-25 season, rumours had swirled about the possibility of Connelly forgoing his NCAA eligibility to play in the WHL. The rumours were quickly put to rest, and Connelly joined Providence College. The season was challenging for the 19-year-old, dealing with injuries throughout the campaign. 

He finished his freshman season with four goals and 13 points in 23 games, losing in the first round of the National Championship tournament. He did finish the season winning one tournament, securing a gold medal with Team USA at the World Juniors.

Following the disappointing freshman season, Connelly signed his entry-level contract with the Golden Knights, playing six AHL games with the Henderson Silver Knights, scoring a goal and four points. 

After signing his entry-level contract, the expectation was that Connelly would continue to develop in the AHL, and although nothing has been confirmed, the move sparks up the rumours about Connelly heading to the WHL. 

His skill set is one of a player ready for professional hockey, but his frame is not, and the AHL is a physical league. Playing in the WHL could allow him to continue to hone his game while providing him the opportunity to add muscle. 

Nothing is set in stone, but it's a positive situation for Connelly to have several options to get the most out of his development. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Golden Knights Sign Tuomas Uronen To Three-Year, Entry-Level ContractThe Vegas Golden Knights have signed forward Tuomas Uronen to a three-year, entry-level contract.

(Header/feature image courtesy of The Hockey News' Megan DeRuchie)

Matvei Michkov didn’t need a Calder Trophy nomination to prove he belongs in the NHL.

While the hockey world buzzed about top rookies this season, the 20-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward compiled an impressive first campaign—electrifying crowds with his creativity, igniting plays with his vision, and, most importantly to him, making strides that go well beyond stat sheets.

In typical Michkov fashion, he met the news of not being named a Calder finalist with the same cool composure he tried to bring to every shift on the ice.

“I’m not sure,” Michkov said when asked how he felt about the omission in a new interview with RG. “I guess I should’ve played better so there’d be no doubt who the best rookie was. But it is what it is. It won’t change how I approach things.”

This was a season of firsts for Michkov—his first in North America, his first time adjusting to a completely different language and culture, and his first test against the grind of an 82-game NHL schedule. Still, he delivered. While others drew more headlines, Michkov steadily proved why he’s considered one of the most gifted young players in the world. He flashed high-end offensive instincts, blended skill with a dogged work ethic, and grew into his role with the Flyers as the season progressed.

“Of course, I feel I could’ve scored more points and played better in some moments—there were plenty of chances that I didn’t finish,” he said. “I didn’t have any specific numbers in mind before the season started, because I didn’t know what to expect. New country, new people. My main goal was to show what I can do and enjoy every game. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t. But now my focus is to train well in the offseason, get stronger, and help the team make the playoffs. That’s our main goal.”

It’s that consistent team-first attitude that has quickly earned Michkov respect in the Flyers’ locker room. His skill is undeniable, but it’s his mindset that may truly set him apart. Even after a strong rookie season—one that might’ve made him a Calder finalist or even winner in a different year—Michkov has no interest in personal accolades. He’s already looking ahead to what matters most to him: team success.

“Yes—make the playoffs first,” Michkov said when asked about his goals for Year 2. “Then try to win the Stanley Cup. Personally, I’m not setting any specific numbers. The only goal I have is a team goal, and I’ll do everything I can to reach it.”

“He’s probably the one player I’ve played with where he wants to be the best player in the NHL. He believes he can be.”

—Travis Konecny on Matvei Michkov. Said his competitiveness was up there with Claude Giroux. #LetsGoFlyers

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) April 18, 2025

That doesn’t mean Michkov wasn’t paying attention to his peers. The NHL’s rookie class this year was stacked with talent, from physical defensemen to crafty playmakers. Michkov singled out Montreal Canadiens blueliner and Calder favorite Lane Hutson as someone who caught his eye.

“I didn’t follow [the other rookies] closely, but the media talked about it a lot, so it was impossible to ignore," he admitted. "Lane Hutson had a really strong season. He scored a lot and was great on the powerplay. I really like his game. I actually saw him back in 2020 at the Winter Youth Olympics. I told [Washington Capitals prospect] Ivan Miroshnichenko at the time, ‘Watch that guy—he’s going to make it.’ And now he’s playing the same way in the NHL. I’m happy for him.”

But Michkov is more focused on how he can take the next step. With his rookie season behind him, the Russian forward is focused less on what he can change and more on how he can refine his approach. It’s not about altering his game—it’s about maturing his mindset.

“Honestly, I’d do everything the same,” he said. “Hockey is hockey. The only difference is that now I’ve learned to stay calmer. When you’re calm, things start to go your way—your game, your life. When I was younger, I couldn’t always control my emotions. I wasted too much energy. That’s the only thing I’d change. Even though it’s hard to stay calm all the time, that’s what I’m working on.”

That level of introspection is relatively rare in a player so young. But then again, Michkov has always carried himself a bit differently than most 20-year-old players. He doesn’t need individual trophies to validate his place in the league. He’s shown what he can do—and more importantly, he knows what he still wants to become.

When the Edmonton Oilers met the Dallas Stars in the 2024 Western Conference final a year ago, Thomas Harley largely flew under the radar on a blueline that was led by Miro Heiskanen and also featured grizzled veterans Esa Lindell, Chris Tanev and Ryan Suter.

This year, Harley is proving impossible to ignore.

Just ask the Winnipeg Jets, who watched Harley end their season with his power-play winner on Saturday night.

That was Harley’s fourth goal and 11th point in 13th playoff games, putting him one point behind Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard for the post-season scoring lead among defenseman through two rounds.

For the first 10 games of the playoffs, the Stars leaned hard on Harley while Heiskanen finished rehabbing his knee injury. His role didn’t change much when Heiskanen returned. An all-situations guy, Harley led all skaters league-wide in minutes played through the first two rounds.

At just 23, he’s starting to carve out a spot among the top defenders in the league, after just two full NHL seasons.

“I didn’t even know who he was, really, when I got here last year,” said Stars center Matt Duchene, who arrived in the fall of 2023. “Knew he was a tall, lanky defenseman who wore No. 55, but immediately, you’re like ‘Holy. This guy is very good.’ ”

Drafted 18th overall in 2019, Harley made his NHL debut in the 2020 playoff bubble, getting into one game on the Stars’ road to the Stanley Cup final. He spent most of the next three seasons in the AHL with the Texas Stars, but was called up in the spring of 2023. And after dressing for all 19 Dallas playoff games before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 conference final, he never looked back.

According to Duchene, the 6-foot-3 Harley came back bigger and stronger this season.

“Good weight, because he’s a string bean,” Duchene said. “He puts on some bulk, and all of a sudden, he looks bigger out there. He looks more like a man – you know, he’s still young, right? And he’s playing more like a man every day.”

Harley may not have been a household name among fans, but Hockey Canada had him on speed dial when the flu started to take its toll on the team’s roster at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. As a last-minute replacement, Harley capably subbed for Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar in Canada’s round-robin game against the United States – and maintained his composure during what might have been one of the wildest hockey games of all-time. 

Then, he replaced Josh Morrissey in Canada’s finale win, assisting on Nathan MacKinnon’s game-opener and logging nearly 22 minutes of ice time.

No big deal.

“His disposition’s hilarious,” Duchene said. “He’s just very, very calm. Nothing bothers him. He’s just plugging along and doing his thing, and he’s an absolute stud.”

On top of the 4 Nations, Harley’s post-season resume is growing quickly, too.

He was the sixth defenseman selected in 2019, but when the puck drops for Game 1 in Dallas on Wednesday, Harley will be logging his 53rd career playoff game. Next highest from his draft class are Bowen Byram and Philip Broberg, at 27 games each. Kaapo Kakko is the top forward, with 44 games.

Harley’s 24 playoff points also lead his draft class. Cole Caufield is second, with 16, and Byram is the second-place defenseman, with 12.

As Harley continues to demonstrate his growth in these playoffs, don’t be surprised to see him back in the mix for Team Canada when it’s time to name the roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics. And if he’s challenging Heiskanen for top spot in the Stars’ D-corps — well, that’s a good problem for coach Peter DeBoer to have.

“He’s a No. 1 D-man in this league,” Duchene said. “We’re lucky to have two of them with him and with Miro. It’s going to be really fun to watch him and what he can do in this league, and he’s doing it already.”

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Stars Insider provides insights on Dallas's lineup heading into Western Conference Finals

As the Dallas Stars prepare for a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals, we spoke with team insider Taylor Newby for her take on the series and potential betting angles.

Dallas is making its third straight trip to the Conference Finals, looking to shake off back-to-back losses to Edmonton last year and Vegas the year before. With redemption on the line, Taylor gave us her thoughts on what to expect this time around.

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Mikko Rantanen - Series Leading Goal Scorer (+420)

It's hard to pick anyone other than the current playoff leader in goals right now with Mikko Rantanen. The Finnish superstar has shined since joining the Stars and has exploded over the past few games with nine goals and ten assists for 19 points through 11 playoff games before being held off the board over the final two games versus Winnipeg. 

"The obvious answer to me is Mikko Rantanen although it felt like he cooled off as the series went on but it did seem like Winnipeg was all over him," "I also think it could be the other Finns on that line, Roope Hintz & Mikael Granlund, that whole line seems to be unstoppable and is stepping up in each other's absence."

- Newby on Rantanen and Stars' top line

Edmonton fans will believe their 52-goal scorer in Leon Draisaitl will be the man but there's a fairly wide gap in goaltending. Rantanen has 27 points, including 13 goals in last 25 games versus Oilers and will continue his success against Stuart Skinner, who has a .898 save percentage over 28 starts in the last two postseasons. His 2.55 goals against average during this span seems to be more indicative of overall team play rather than Skinner himself. 

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Evgenii Dadonov 1+ Series Goals (-170)

The Oilers have gotten way more out of their current bottom six forwards with 19 goals compared to just six from Dallas's bottom six. If the Stars want to win this series they will need this group to start producing with Evgenii Dadonov being one of the prime suspects for a bounce back according to Newby. 

"After game six, It seemed like he had multiple high-danger chances while somehow having no shots on goal." 

- Newby said on Dadonov

Dadonov has been very serviceable for Dallas in the past with 21 points over 48 playoff games as a member of the Stars. His line with captain Jamie Benn and centre Oskar Back, who hasn't scored once yet, will need to get going and I believe it'll result in at least one goal for Dadonov. 

Wyatt Johnston 2+ Series Goals (-140)

This pick I agree with as Newby believes Johnston has been "Snake-bitten" when it comes to finding the back of the net this postseason with four goals through 13 playoff games. The 22-year-old star forward has gone without a point in four of the last five games and is due for a breakout versus a team he excels against in the Oilers. 

"We all know Mr. Game 7 is not scared of the big moments so it just seems like the pucks will not fall in," "I think both Wyatt and [Matt] Duchene have been doing the right things but pucks have not been going in for them.  Hopefully both of them finally get one so they can start rolling and get some confidence back in their game."

- Newby on Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene both being due for goals

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

Duchene has some tough betting lines to get in on at the price tag plus he age may be starting to show at 34 years old but I do expect Johnston to certainly get a pair of goals if not more after recording five goals and two assists for seven points over his last eight games versus the Oilers.

In their series last postseason, he scored goals in three of the six games versus Edmonton and should be able to produce again especially as he's due with one goal in his last six games heading in.  

Taylor Newby's Series Prediction: Stars in 7 (+420)

Just prior to the Mar. 7 NHL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins completed a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to acquire forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Conor Timmins.

And - as it happens - both players are pending restricted free agents.

After a pretty disappointing season with the Leafs, Dewar, 25, made a good impression during a short stint in Pittsburgh. He registered four goals and seven points in 17 games despite only putting up three points in 31 games with Toronto.

Timmins, 26, recorded a goal and seven points in 17 games to go along with a plus-9 rating in his time with Pittsburgh. He registered just eight points in 51 games with the Leafs. 

Yes, both players were serviceable for the Penguins, and - while post-trade adrenaline is a thing - it's easy to argue that there could be more to their games in Pittsburgh's system. In most circumstances, it would be a pretty easy decision to try to extend both players.

However, not in this circumstance. 

The fact of the matter is that the Penguins are in a stage of their rebuild effort where youth and development is the priority. They need to put giving opportunities to their young talent at the forefront.

And Dewar and Timmins are exactly the types of players who would block that youth from the roster.

The Penguins have some top-six talent with the veterans on their roster, and - although, in theory, top forward prospects like Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen can slot in the top-six - there are still other players they'll probably want to have a look at. Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, Filip Hallander, and Vasily Ponomarev come to mind.

And given some of their bottom-six players still under contract - Tommy Novak, Noel Acciari, Kevin Hayes, Danton Heinen, and Blake Lizotte, as well as Philip Tomasino, who is also a pending-RFA - keepig Dewar around limits the space on the Penguins' roster for some of those younger players.

The same goes for Timmins, although there is less "blockage" at the left defense position. Matt Grzelcyk is a pending unrestricted free agent, and the Penguins have Ryan Graves, Vladislav Kolyachonok, and Ryan Shea under contract for next season.

4 Left Defensemen The Penguins Should Target This SummerDuring his postseason press conference on Apr. 21, Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas provided a glimpse into what the summer could look like for the organization.

However, Penguins' POHO and GM Kyle Dubas has suggested that he will look outside the organization to bolster the left side defense this offseason, highlighting the position as a problem area. If the Penguins do add a legitimate young left defenseman, having Timmins around will only complicate things for prospect Owen Pickering, who - after a longer stint at the NHL level last season - is primed to take the next step in his development, which includes a more permanent stay in the NHL. 

So, while Dewar and Timmins have been decent players for the Penguins, their presence will only compilcate things for young players and prospects who are ready to have a look at the highest level. Of course, if the Penguins offload other contracts prior to free agency, perhaps that could open up the room for Dewar and Timmins to stick around.

However, as their roster stands now, it's probably best for the Penguins to move on.

'We Have To Stick To A Very Concise Plan And Then Execute Our Butts Off': Dubas Clarifies Penguins' Summer PlansTo close out the 2024-25 season, Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas spoke with the Pittsburgh media on Monday.

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On Tuesday, Don Sweeney celebrated 10 years as GM of the Boston Bruins. And it was no coincidence that on that day, the Bruins announced a contract extension for Sweeney that will last through the 2027-28 season. 

Sweeney would’ve been entering a lame-duck campaign in 2025-26 – but while he’s far from a perfect GM, he has done enough to merit his new extension.

Only twice in his tenure as GM did Sweeney preside over a Bruins team that missed the playoffs – his first year running the team, and this current season. In between, Boston won seven playoff series, including a run to the Stanley Cup final in 2018-19, where the Bruins came within one win of a championship. 

Boston also won its division twice under Sweeney and finished second another three times. In 2022-23, they won the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best regular-season team with a record-breaking 135 points and 65 wins. By many metrics, Sweeney has delivered solid results, and despite stumbling this season, it could prove to be only a blip on the radar for Boston.

Some may say Boston not winning the Cup makes Sweeney’s tenure an overall failure, but we’d beg to differ. Bruins fans have been treated to a lot of terrific hockey under his guidance, and Sweeney has shown the ability to make tough decisions and balance the short-term needs of his team with the long-term picture.

This past season was Sweeney’s worst as GM, as the Bruins plummeted to eighth place in the Atlantic Division. But despite the bottom falling out for Boston, Sweeney wasn’t foolish enough to make a push for the mushy-middle of the Eastern Conference standings. Instead, he dumped a slew of veterans overboard via trades, including sending captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers, defenseman Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs and center Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche. 

It would’ve been easy for Sweeney to hold onto those veterans, but he did the hard thing and sent them packing. Dealing Marchand and Carlo to Atlantic rivals also spoke to Sweeney’s fearlessness as an executive. 

The assets Sweeney picked up from those trades – prospect center Fraser Minten as part of the Carlo deal, a first-rounder from Florida as part of the Marchand deal and Casey Mittelstadt as part of the Coyle deal – all will help the Bruins in the long haul.

Another element of Sweeney’s many moves this season is the salary cap space he’s carved out that will help him retool on the fly. The Bruins have about $28.8 million in cap space this off-season with 11 of 23 roster spots filled to add some fresh faces after deciding what to do with their five RFAs and three UFAs. You could argue his cuts could’ve been deeper, but Sweeney still has veterans who likely have no stomach for a full-on rebuild. So you can expect Sweeney to be one of the more active GMs in trades and free agency this summer.

Sweeney also has to hire a coach this off-season, as Joe Sacco finished the season with the interim tag. But now that he has a contract extension of his own, Sweeney can move ahead with the confidence of Bruins ownership and set the stage for a bounce-back year.

The Atlantic will be even more competitive in 2025-26, so there’s no assurance Boston will get back into the playoff picture. But the Bruins will push the competitive envelope in 2025-26 and beyond, and having Sweeney guiding things almost assuredly will lead to better days.

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On Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens’ farm team, the Laval Rocket, announced that it had signed a one-way, two-year contract extension with veteran center Laurent Dauphin. The 30-year-old has played 94 NHL games split between the defunct Arizona Coyotes (who had drafted him in the second round at the 2013 draft) turned Utah Mammoth and the Habs.

Dauphin left the Canadiens’ organization at the end of the 2021-2022 campaign to return to Arizona, where he split his time between the NHL and the AHL in 2022-23. He then decided to head to Europe for the 2023-24 campaign, where he played in the Swiss A league. He scored 38 points in 44 games before returning to Canada and signing a one-year contract with the Rocket.

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This season in Laval, under coach Pascal Vincent, he gathered 56 points in 63 games and had a plus-25 rating. So far in the playoffs, he has picked up eight points in six games. His veteran leadership has been invaluable to the team, and he’s currently seventh in points in the AHL.

On Wednesday night, the Rockets will resume their third-round series against the Rochester Americans. Both sides have won one game in the best-of-five series, starting with two in Rochester. The remaining duel games will take place at the Place Bell in Laval.

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EDMONTON – The time is finally here.

The Edmonton Oilers will play the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the 2025 Western Conference Final on Wednesday night.

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It’s been a week since the Oilers fed the Vegas Golden Knights their lunch money, in the form of a second consecutive shutout win. Now, they look to shut down the Stars in their barn.

To kick off game day coverage, here are some Game 1 Predictions.

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Oilers vs. Stars Lineup Predictions

-I’m expecting the Oilers to put Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl back together to kick off the series. I also wouldn't trust the morning skate lines, as things can (and do) change in between the morning and the warm-up skate.

-McDavid and Draisaitl have outscored the opposition 10-6 when together in the 2025 playoffs. McDavid without Draisaitl? They are outscored 2-4.

-Another reason to make this change is that they will be the away team. Loading up the top line would indicate that they want to have a “power vs power” matchup against the Stars’ Mikko Rantanen. Considering the depth that the Oilers have, this is a welcome challenge.

-If there is ever a low-risk time to give Jeff Skinner another game, it’s this one. If he comes into the lineup (and that's a big if), I’d put him with McDavid and Draisaitl.

-Jake Oettinger has allowed a lot of goals from in front of the net. Expect Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, and Corey Perry to be in his kitchen all night, wearing him down.

Oilers Reveal Lines Before Big Western FinalEDMONTON – The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Defense Lineup Notes

-The Stars have the best powerplay of the four remaining teams (30.8 success rate).

-Watch for Evan Bouchard to play more shorthanded minutes. He played 3:32 on the penalty kill in Game 4. The Golden Knights had three powerplays and did not score on any of them.

-As long as everyone plays how Kris Knoblauch expects them too, I wouldn’t expect any shuffle in the pairings. If there is a shuffle, Troy Stecher likely gets the short end of the stick.

Final four https://t.co/RbnckCLHNPpic.twitter.com/Sp7GHVNI7u

— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) May 19, 2025

Game 1 Predictions vs The Stars

- Hyman comes out like a wrecking ball, throwing 10 hits and scoring two goals, one of them the game winner.

- McDavid comes out flying and scores the game's first goal.

- Stuart Skinner starts the game strong in the net. He gets an unfortunate goal scored on him in the second period, but he locks it down otherwise.

-Oilers defenders help him by limiting high-danger chances and keeping shots to the outside and medium range.

- Final Score Prediction: 3-1 Oilers

Where & When To Watch Oilers vs Stars Game 1

The game will be broadcast on Wednesday at 6:00 PM Mountain Time. Sportsnet, CBC, ESPN, and ESPN+ will carry the broadcast.

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Among the pleasures of international hockey is seeing familiar NHL stars adapt to new roles as they represent their countries.  For traditional powers like Canada or the United States, that means star players adapting to depth roles.  For nations without a robust NHL presence, it means NHL role players adapting to starring roles.  So it's gone for Marco Kasper and Austria at 2025 IIHF Worlds, where the 21-year-old has continued his strong rookie season with the Detroit Red Wings on a global stage, helping Austria scrap its way to a place in the tournament's quarterfinals.

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As for Kasper’s Detroit teammates, Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson, Erik Gustafsson, and Sweden await a quarterfinal with Czechia.  Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Norway have been knocked out.  Moritz Seider and the Germans fell to tournament co-host Denmark. 

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For the tournament, Kasper now has four goals and three assists in seven games played.  It's not as though Kasper was a marginal player for the 2024-25 Red Wings.  Instead, by season's end, he staked a strong claim to the number two center role.  Nonetheless, in bringing his game to an international context for an Austrian team thin on NHL talent, Kasper has to assume more responsibility, especially when it comes to contributing offense.

Marco Kasper GOAL🚨 wow. Really stepping up and becoming the “guy” for Austria. Goal and assist in the first period. #LGRW#MensWorldspic.twitter.com/uGZcoddgVs

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 12, 2025

If 2025 Worlds are any indicator, that's a responsibility Kasper is more than fit to handle, with the young centerman thriving as Austria's leader.  It should come as no surprise really, considering the various ways Kasper embraced added responsibility throughout the year in Detroit—whether in taking over a top line winger spot next to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, or moving back down the middle to drive his own line.

The next challenge for Kasper and Austria is a quarterfinal match-up with Switzerland Thursday, where he will look to keep the unlikely run going.  Austria has never finished better than sixth in an Olympics (1948), and it's best Worlds finish is third (achieved twice, in 1931 and 1947).  Kasper will be looking to re-write that history, beginning with this spring's Worlds and continuing on through his fast blossoming career.

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The Philadelphia Flyers believe that their new head coach, Rick Tocchet, will help them attract key players and free agents in the coming years, but what does that look like in practice? And will any Vancouver Canucks be among them?

The Canucks, after having already lost J.T. Miller and Tocchet this year, are staring down the barrel of a long and grueling rebuild if they cannot rally behind and keep captain Quinn Hughes beyond his contract expiry date of July 1, 2027.

Therefore, we could be seeing a lot of changes in Vancouver over the coming months and years. The Flyers, as an up-and-coming team and one of the NHL's youngest, can take advantage of some of the roster turnover out West.

The Flyers have $2.5 million in cap space at the time of this writing, and while they will have to re-sign integral youngsters like Cam York, Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates, and, potentially, Jakob Pelletier, they will also have Cal Petersen, Tony DeAngelo's buyout, and Andrei Kuzmenko's salary retention coming off their books this summer.

In short, between the cap space and draft capital, the Flyers will have sufficient breathing room to be active in the NHL trade market and in free agency.

Who, or what, can the Flyers get with that? And which connections between Tocchet and the Canucks should be tapped?

No. 1: C Pius Suter, C, UFA 2025

The Flyers' center depth is looking mighty thin these days to say the least. Behind Sean Couturier is a pending RFA in Cates and Ryan Poehling, who was reportedly on the table for a trade with the New Jersey Devils a few months ago.

After them, options include Latvian journeyman Rodrigo Abols, 18 year old prospect Jett Luchanko, and rookie Karsen Dorwart.

That's where the 28-year-old Pius Suter comes into play.

After losing Scott Laughton in the Toronto Maple Leafs trade that ultimately yielded Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 first-round pick, the Flyers could opt to find another veteran center with tantamount positional versatility in Suter.

Suter scored 39 goals and a total of 75 points in two seasons under Tocchet in Vancouver, and his 25 goals this past season were a career-high by a country mile.

Flyers Offseason: Dream Marco Rossi Trade Scenario Just Became a Real PossibilityIf the Philadelphia Flyers are still assessing the trade market for their highly coveted top-six center, they will be privy to the fact that Marco Rossi is increasingly likely to be traded by the Minnesota Wild this summer.

The Swiss forward can play center and wing and filled in as the Canucks' No. 1 center after Miller was traded to New York and Elias Pettersson went down with a season-ending oblique injury.

That's the kind of value the Flyers should be hunting for in free agency, but the center market will invariably heat up as soon as Sam Bennett signs his next contract.

Suter carried a $1.6 million cap hit this season and could potentially triple that on the open market with his career year.

No. 2: Thatcher Demko, G, UFA 2026 or Trade

If nothing else, the Flyers are the one NHL team that constantly strikes out at the goaltender position in the ugliest and most heartbreaking ways possible.

Don't ask us what Sergei Bobrovsky is doing this week.

Sam Ersson has yet to finish a campaign in the big leagues with a save percentage over .900, and newcomers Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov have struggled to adapt to the North American style of play despite showing occasional flashes of brilliance from time to time.

After two seasons, the Flyers still have no idea if Ersson is an NHL starter or if Fedotov or Kolosov can even be serviceable goalies at this level over a full year.

This makes Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, eligible for an extension on July 1 and a 2026 free agent, an attractive trade target or potential future free agency addition.

Yes, Demko did have a career-altering knee injury, and yes, Demko's .889 save percentage this season was objectively awful. 

But, after regaining some of his pre-injury form and finding his game conditioning, the 29-year-old posted a .907 save percentage across his final 10 appearances of the season, allowing just 22 goals and shutting out the visiting Colorado Avalanche at home with a 25-save effort on Feb. 4

Demko has one year remaining on his contract at a $5 million cap hit and could potentially bargain for a raise after July 1, but beggars can't be choosers.

Flyers GM Teases Potential Top Pick Ahead of 2025 NHL DraftPhiladelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere is not ignoring the possibility of selecting Caleb Desnoyers sixth overall at the 2025 NHL Draft in June. In fact, he's embracing it.

If the Flyers are desperate enough for a starting goaltender, Demko is the ultimate low-risk, high-reward option for them in their current situation, especially if a new goalie prospect is to be introduced to the NHL in the coming seasons.

No. 3: Aatu Raty, C 10.2 (c) RFA, Trade

Canucks center prospect Aatu Raty is a 10.2 (c) RFA this summer, meaning he cannot be the recipient of an offer sheet. That doesn't mean Tocchet and the Flyers shouldn't try to acquire him via trade, though.

Let's face it: the Canucks are desperate to remain competitive and need concrete roster players. The Flyers, on the other hand, are more apt to take risks on this kind of player, as they have already with Pelletier, for example.

The Canucks should be open to draft picks and/or roster players to either use or flip as part of a bigger deal for a bigger fish, and the Flyers should be square to the task on the other end of the deal.

Vancouver desperately needs speed in its lineup, which Raty doesn't have a lot of. Would a swap for a player like Poehling or Pelletier do the trick?

Tocchet will have his hands full with the number of wingers the Flyers already have, while Raty could be due for a breakout NHL season in a 3C role out of the gate.

Raty, a big, heavy center with average skating ability, a strong shot, and satisfactory puck skills, could be a nice change-of-pace option for the Flyers down the middle, and it wouldn't hurt for him to spend a few years picking Couturier's brain while playing under a familiar friend in Tocchet.

Raty showed up for the Canucks when they needed it the most this season, and a bigger opportunity with, say, the Flyers, could be all he needs to take the next step in his pro career.