Less than three weeks into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, exciting moments continue to unfold, with Wednesday night adding several highlights to the growing list of memorable games.
The evening`s action included the Toronto Maple Leafs outlasting the Florida Panthers in a 4-3 victory. Key performances from Max Pacioretty, Max Domi, and Morgan Rielly, each contributing two points, paced the Maple Leafs. Pacioretty, in particular, continued his strong play with a goal and an assist as Toronto took a 2-0 series lead heading to South Florida.
Meanwhile, Mikko Rantanen delivered another stellar performance, helping lead the Dallas Stars past the Winnipeg Jets with a 3-2 win in their series opener. Rantanen made history for the Stars franchise by scoring the first natural hat trick. Goaltender Jake Oettinger was also crucial, stopping 30 of 32 shots to secure the road victory.
Following another thrilling night of playoff hockey, here`s a closer look at three standout performers from Wednesday`s games.
3. William Nylander | RW | Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have relied on their core players like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares for offensive production this postseason, and Nylander has certainly answered the call. His goal on Wednesday tied the game at 2-2 during the second period.
After Max Pacioretty carried the puck on a two-on-one, he delivered a backhanded pass to Nylander, who controlled it and lifted it past Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Nylander`s goal was his sixth of the postseason. He has now scored in three consecutive games and tallied five goals in his last three outings, tying him for second in league playoff scoring with 13 points, just behind Mikko Rantanen.
2. Max Pacioretty | LW | Maple Leafs
Since being reinserted into the lineup prior to Game 3 against the Senators in the previous round, few players have been as effective as Max Pacioretty. The veteran forward recorded a goal and an assist on Wednesday, extending his impressive run to six points in his last three playoff games, including scoring a goal in two of those contests.
Pacioretty impacted the game in multiple areas. On the power play, he skillfully deflected Morgan Rielly`s point shot from in front of the crease just under the crossbar. Beyond getting on the score sheet himself, he also demonstrated his playmaking ability by assisting on William Nylander`s crucial tying goal in the second period.
1. Mikko Rantanen | RW | Stars
Mikko Rantanen picked up right where he left off following his sensational Game 7 performance, where he also registered a hat trick. This time, Rantanen recorded a natural hat trick against the Jets, powering his team to a significant 3-2 road victory in Game 1. This achievement makes him only the third player in Stars franchise history (including the Minnesota North Stars era) to score at least six goals over a four-game playoff span.
Rantanen`s scoring showcase began 8:43 into the second period with a tremendous individual effort. After Evgenii Dadonov`s one-timer was stopped by Connor Hellebuyck, Rantanen, while falling to the ice, managed to swat the rebound into the net with one hand. He completed the three-goal performance when his attempted pass deflected off defenseman Dylan Samberg`s stick and into the net. Rantanen`s exceptional nose for scoring goals continues to make the trade deadline acquisition by Dallas general manager Jim Nill look like a brilliant move.
