Ducks Even Series as McDavid Held Quiet, Johnston Delivers, Flyers Smother Pens. Plus, More Game 3 Previews!

Special teams were a big story in game 2 as Anaheim evened its series with Edmonton at one game apiece. Connor McDavid was held pointless in back-to-back playoff games for the first time since the 2024 Cup Final (Games 6 & 7) and briefly left with an injury, while the Oilers continue to look out of sync playing a looser, Ducks-style game. Dallas took a 2–1 series lead over Minnesota on Wyatt Johnston’s double-OT winner despite a number of bad penalties, with Jake Oettinger and the PK holding firm, while  the Wild miss Mats Zuccarello’s presence on the power play. Philadelphia has dominated Pittsburgh to a 3–0 series lead, stifling their speed with a 1-1-3 setup as the Penguins have just four goals (three on the PP) and look older and slower. Ottawa returns home down 2–0 to Carolina after a wild double-OT game, with Linus Ullmark strong in goal but facing a Hurricanes team built on elite team defence; Boston and Buffalo head into Game 3 of a physical, tightly contested series with Boston’s depth and goaltending potentially tipping the balance. Tampa Bay and Montreal’s series grows increasingly heated while Martin St. Louis sticks with his group and holds off inserting Brendan Gallagher. Colorado leads Los Angeles 2-0 despite their offence being limited by the Kings, raising questions about whether the Avs have another gear after a middling finish.

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