The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, less than three weeks in, are already delivering major moments, with Wednesday`s action providing further highlights.
Wednesday`s games began with the Maple Leafs outlasting the Panthers 4-3. Max Pacioretty, Max Domi, and Morgan Rielly each contributed two points. Pacioretty was particularly impressive, scoring a goal and adding an assist to help the Maple Leafs take a 2-0 series lead before heading to South Florida.
In the Western Conference, Mikko Rantanen continued his outstanding play, guiding the Stars to a 3-2 victory over the Jets in their series opener. Rantanen achieved the first natural hat trick in Dallas Stars franchise history, while goaltender Jake Oettinger made 30 saves on 32 shots to secure the road win in Winnipeg.
Following another exciting night on the ice, let`s highlight some of the standout individual performances from Wednesday.
3. William Nylander | RW | Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have relied heavily on offensive contributions from their core players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares during this postseason. William Nylander certainly rose to the occasion on Wednesday, scoring a crucial goal. His performance ties him for second in playoff scoring with 13 points, trailing only Mikko Rantanen.
Nylander`s goal, his sixth of the playoffs, came at 4:18 of the second period and leveled the score at 2-2. The play developed off a two-on-one rush where Max Pacioretty delivered a perfect backhand pass, allowing Nylander to control the puck and beat Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. This goal marked Nylander`s fifth in his last three games, extending his goal-scoring streak to three consecutive contests.
2. Max Pacioretty | LW | Maple Leafs
Since being reinserted into the Maple Leafs` lineup before Game 3 of the previous round against the Senators, veteran forward Max Pacioretty has been exceptionally effective. On Wednesday, he recorded a goal and an assist, bringing his total to six points over his last three playoff appearances, including goals in two of those games.
Pacioretty influenced Game 2 in multiple ways. He scored a power-play goal by skillfully deflecting Morgan Rielly`s point shot just under the crossbar. Beyond scoring, he also demonstrated his playmaking ability by assisting on William Nylander`s second-period goal.
1. Mikko Rantanen | RW | Stars
Mikko Rantanen delivered a dominant performance against the Jets in their series opener, scoring a natural hat trick to propel the Stars to a significant 3-2 road victory in Game 1. This remarkable feat makes him just the third player in Dallas Stars/Minnesota North Stars franchise history to score at least six goals over a four-game span in the playoffs.
His first goal, scored 8:43 into the second period, showcased individual effort, batting in a rebound from an Evgenii Dadonov shot while falling. He completed the hat trick later when a pass attempt deflected off Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg and into the net. Rantanen`s consistent goal-scoring touch continues to impress, validating Dallas general manager Jim Nill`s strategic acquisition of the forward at the trade deadline.
