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3 days ago
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The Oilers are not limping into this Stanley Cup Final against the Panthers
Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola, left, shoots to score a goal against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, right, during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) celebrates with defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) and defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) after scoring against the Dallas Stars during the third period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch yells from the bench during the first period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Dallas Stars, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch yells from the bench during the first period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Dallas Stars, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola, left, shoots to score a goal against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, right, during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) celebrates with defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) and defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) after scoring against the Dallas Stars during the third period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch yells from the bench during the first period of Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Dallas Stars, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid is fine, and coach Kris Knoblauch expects the best hockey player in the world to be good to go for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. That is the most important thing for Edmonton gearing up for another championship series against the Florida Panthers. Also, acknowledging the notable absence of injured forward Zach Hyman, the Oilers are much closer to full strength in the rematch than they were a year ago and are not limping into the final this time around. Advertisement 'We're very confident in the group that we have and the players that are available,' defenseman Darnell Nurse said Monday after a day off the ice for players. 'There's been guys that have stepped up in huge moments so far over the course of the playoffs, and I'm sure over the course of the series we'll need more of that.' A smoother journey through the playoffs helps. Edmonton won each of its past two series in five games apiece, and that has allowed for some much-needed rest along the way. 'Are we 100% healthy? No, not quite, obviously with Hyman being out, which will be a huge loss,' Knoblauch said Monday. "But overall I would say we're in a little bit better position physically.' Reinforcements have also arrived just in time. Advertisement Winger Evander Kane returned for Game 2 of the first round against Los Angeles after missing the entire regular season recovering from multiple surgeries to repair injuries that knocked him out of the Cup final a year ago when he needed injections just to be able to walk. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm got back in the lineup for the clinching game of the Western Conference final against Dallas after thinking several weeks earlier he wouldn't be able to play again until October. 'When doctors tell you something, they're usually right,' Ekholm said. 'Most people didn't think I was going to be in this position, so to be able to be part of this group, to be part of things on the ice and help this team win has been the goal the whole time and now that it's reality is awesome for me.' The Oilers did not win last year when they faced the Panthers, losing three in a row to start the series and clawing back to force a Game 7 only to experiencing a gut-wrenching defeat. They didn't have Kane healthy then to offset Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and Florida's hard-nosed pressure. Now they do, with Kane and Corey Perry being counted on to make up for Hyman being out. Advertisement 'We can play a physical brand of hockey,' Kane said. "We can play an in-your-face brand of hockey. Whatever game you want, we can give you. We're going to play our game, and we're looking forward to that challenge.' The Panthers are also nearly 100% after some injury scares in the East final against Carolina to clutch scorer Sam Reinhart and vastly improved defenseman Niko Mikkola. Only depth forward A.J. Greer's status is any kind of a question going in. McDavid provided some intrigue over the weekend by leaving practice after five minutes and a chat with trainers. Knoblauch brushed that off, saying the three-time league MVP and reigning playoff MVP was fine and said McDavid would practice Tuesday in the final preparation for the series. Connor Brown is also expected to be back for Game 1 Wednesday night in Edmonton after missing the conclusion of the West final. Advertisement 'He adds a lot of elements to our team,' Knoblauch said. 'Obviously on the penalty kill we need him a lot, his speed, his checking. He's scored and provided some nice offense throughout the season.' Having gotten at least a goal from 19 different players during this run, the Oilers also seem mentally sharper than last year, when they were new to this stage of the playoffs going up against an opponent that had been there before. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl should keep driving the bus, but they don't need to do it all. 'This time around we have a lot more depth throughout the entirety of our lineup,' Kane said. "If we need scoring, we have scoring. If we need some guys that can be a little bit more physical, we can be more physical. Unfortunately, we're going to have to use that depth and we're going to have to get the job done with it.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Finns Up! NHL playoffs include 13 players from Finland on the 4 teams in conference finals
FILE - Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund celebrates after scoring a power play goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson, File) FILE - Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz skates against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson, File) Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho, center, celebrates with teammates Shayne Gostisbehere, left, and Logan Stankoven (22) after Aho's game-winning goal during the second overtime period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) FILE - Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen (42) chases down the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker, File) FILE - Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen heads on to the ice for his shift in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) FILE - Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen heads on to the ice for his shift in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) FILE - Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund celebrates after scoring a power play goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson, File) FILE - Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz skates against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson, File) Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho, center, celebrates with teammates Shayne Gostisbehere, left, and Logan Stankoven (22) after Aho's game-winning goal during the second overtime period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) FILE - Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen (42) chases down the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker, File) FILE - Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen heads on to the ice for his shift in the third period of Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer has jokingly referred to himself as being Finnish during these NHL playoffs. After all, he has five of the 13 players from Finland who are on the rosters of the four teams still chasing the Stanley Cup. The Stars' top line is a trio of Finns, with top-scoring forward Mikko Rantanen alongside Roope Hintz and Mikael Granlund. They also have veteran defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell, who both scored in the third period of a comeback win over Edmonton in the West semifinal opener. Advertisement 'They're phenomenal,' Stars forward Tyler Seguin said of his teammates playing more than 5,000 miles from their home country. 'I'd say we're a Finnish-first team probably now.' In the East final, the Florida Panthers have four Finnish players who were also part of last year's Stanley Cup title: captain Aleksander Barkov, Eetu Luostarinen, Niko Mikkola and Anton Lundell. Carolina, which had Rantanen for a 13-game stretch this season before trading him to Dallas, has Sebastian Aho, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Juha Jaaska. Luostarinen, who in 2017 was a second-round draft pick by the Hurricanes, had four points in Florida's series clincher over Tampa Bay in Round 1. He added three more in Game 7 of the second round against Toronto. 'It's nice to see so many Finns getting so far, and I think playing key roles on their teams, playing high minutes,' Luostarinen said. 'I think it's just the work they put in in Finland, from juniors all the way to the top level. It's top notch." Advertisement All 12 of the Finns who have played this postseason have scored goals, and half have at least 10 points through Wednesday. Rantanen, first traded from Colorado to Carolina and then six weeks later to the Stars, leads all players with nine goals and 20 points. Kasperi Kapanen is the lone Finnish player for the Oilers, and his only point so far this postseason was a huge one: an overtime goal to wrap up the second round series against Vegas. From Finland to the NHL The Dallas and Miami metropolitan areas each has more residents than Finland, but the nation of 5.6 million is a growing hockey power. There were 53 Finns on NHL rosters this season among 268 all-time, according to Divide the number of NHL players into a country's population, and Finland sends about as many players to the league per capita as Canada or Sweden. Advertisement 'They've done a great job of developing players over in Finland,' Stars general manager Jim Nill said. 'We know they're good players, but they're just really good human beings. ... When you talk about the Finnish players, they play the game the right way. They're well-coached, they understand both ends of the ice.' Dallas and Florida played two regular-season games in Finland in November, the 10th and 11th the NHL has played there. The Panthers won both games in Barkov's hometown of Tampere while the seven Finnish players combined for 11 points, led by his four. Team Finland won the gold medal in the 2022 Olympics, when the NHL's decision not to send players to Beijing kept Aho, Barkov and Rantanen from participating. They were among nine of the still-playing Finns who represented their country in this year's 4 Nations Face-Off, and likely will be part of the 2026 Olympics. 'On my end with those guys, this is the golden age of Finnish hockey,' said DeBoer, an assistant for Team Canada in the 4 Nations. 'If you look at the last decade, those guys have won a lot of tournaments, under-18, world juniors, world championships. They know how to win. They have those winning habits and that's what makes them easy to coach, easy to play." Advertisement Jere Lehtinen, who played all 14 of his NHL seasons with the Stars and was part of their 1999 Stanley Cup championship, is the GM of the Finnish national team. Impact players In Carolina, Aho is the top-line center and the team's top-paid player, a 27-year-old locked up long term after signing an extension paying $9.75 million per year through the 2031-32 season. The team's second-round pick from 2015 has been a core piece of Carolina being the only NHL team with an active streak of winning at least one postseason series for seven straight years. When the Stars acquired Rantanen from the Hurricanes, that trade deadline deal was contingent on the 28-year-old forward signing a $96 million, eight-year contract extension. Advertisement He had 101 points (34 goals, 67 assists) in 81 playoff games for the Colorado the past seven years, including the Avalanche's 2022 Cup run, before his 12 points against them in the first round this postseason that included his hat trick in Game 7. Rantanen had another hat trick in the second period of Game 1 in the second round against top-seeded Winnipeg. Speaking Finnish Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling, who is from neighboring Sweden, still sometimes doesn't understand Mikkola. 'He's very funny. He's got the Finnish accent, which is hilarious — sometimes I don't know what he's saying,' Forsling said. 'But he always comes back to the bench saying something, and it's hilarious.' Advertisement Heiskanen, who was 19 when he made his Stars debut in 2018, said it's great to have Finnish teammates as he has throughout his NHL career. 'It's fun off the ice, too,' Heiskanen said when asked about the additions of Rantanen and Granlund, who at 33 is the oldest of the playoff Finns. 'Can speak Finnish and do stuff together.' Seguin said he has learned a few swear words in Finnish, along with some simple phrases. But there are times when he and team captain Jamie Benn wonder what is being said, and 'have the Google translator out trying to figure it out.' The only word that really matters right now is 'voittaa," which generally translates as 'to win.' ___ AP Sports Writers Aaron Beard and Tim Reynolds contributed. ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dallas Stars finally have a version of their full lineup going into 3rd consecutive West final
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) blocks a shot as center Mason Appleton (22) helps against pressure from Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) in the first period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Winnipeg Jets' Nino Niederreiter (62) and Dallas Stars' Jason Robertson, right, compete for control of the puck in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Dallas Stars' Tyler Seguin (91), Thomas Harley (55) and Cody Ceci (44) celebrate after Harley scored in overtime in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen warms up before Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen warms up before Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) blocks a shot as center Mason Appleton (22) helps against pressure from Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) in the first period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Winnipeg Jets' Nino Niederreiter (62) and Dallas Stars' Jason Robertson, right, compete for control of the puck in the third period of Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Dallas Stars' Tyler Seguin (91), Thomas Harley (55) and Cody Ceci (44) celebrate after Harley scored in overtime in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen warms up before Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Stars began these NHL playoffs without standout defenseman Miro Heiskanen and top goal scorer Jason Robertson, and still made it to their third consecutive Western Conference final. Both returned in the second round, with Heiskanen coming back in the middle of the six-game series against Winnipeg after missing 3 1/2 months with a left knee injury. Now, coach Pete DeBoer gets to prepare for a West final rematch against Edmonton with something he hasn't really had in a long time. Advertisement "Well, first time since January we've had any kind of version of our full lineup,' DeBoer said Monday. 'You never want to go into a fight with one arm tied behind your back. Really, the first two rounds, that's what we had, and to our group's credit, they found a way to grind through those series. But it's nice not to have to be in that type of situation.' Dallas hosts the West opener Wednesday night, a week after the Oilers wrapped up their second-round series in Game 5 with a 1-0 overtime win at Vegas. Stars players got their second consecutive day off Monday, when they would have been playing Game 7 at Winnipeg if they hadn't finished off the Jets with a 2-1 overtime win Saturday night. "We just went through two of the best teams in the league, so we're comfortable and we're getting, I feel, healthier and more up to speed with the guys that we put back in,' DeBoer said. Advertisement Robertson, who like Heiskanen was drafted by the Stars in 2017 and is 25, suffered a lower-body injury in the regular-season finale and missed the first-round series against Colorado. After 80 points (35 goals) while playing all 82 games for the third regular season in a row, he had only one assist, along with eight shots on goal and 19 total shot attempts, in six games against the Jets. 'He's not a young, immature player anymore. He's not looking for excuses or making excuses,' DeBoer said. 'He's looking in the mirror, looking for solutions. Been very coachable. So I see a world of maturity in him.' Heiskanen needed surgery after getting injured on a big hit from Vegas captain Mark Stone on Jan. 28. The Stars defender missed the last 32 regular-season games and the first 10 in the playoffs before Game 4 against Winnipeg, when he had an assist in the 3-1 win. 'Listen, he took the proper amount of time. He wasn't rushed back, he didn't rush back,' DeBeor said. 'It took him a few games to get his timing, but I'm not surprised he's back where he's at right now.' Advertisement After playing nearly 15 minutes over 19 shifts in his first game back, Heiskanen increased to 18 1/2 minutes and 22 shifts in Game 5, then more than 23 1/2 minutes and 29 shifts in the series finale. Heiskanen said he felt 'pretty normal' after the series against the Jets, and was getting more comfortable with every period and every game. Dallas has gone with 11 forwards and seven defensemen since Heiskanen returned, but could soon go back to dressing 12 forwards. Either way, DeBoer said Heiskanen returning to the defensive mix has been 'game-changing' for the Stars. "All of a sudden you're slotting guys, you're playing them less minutes, they're more effective, they're playing in better matchup situations,' DeBoer said. 'Adding a guy like that back into your lineup slots everybody back properly.' Advertisement That includes Thomas Harley, who had the series-clinching OT goal against the Jets. He got extended ice time while Heiskanen was out, going from 22 1/2 minutes to nearly 25 minutes a game while playing about the same number of shifts. 'We loaded this guy up, so I think he understands," DeBeor said. "He's a better, more effective player with a little bit less and he also understands of course the importance of Miro back there for us to win.' ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Stanley Cup playoffs: The conference finals matchups, the favorites and what to watch for
Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal during overtime in Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (88) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the first period of Game 1 in an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Toronto, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during overtime of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Dallas Stars' Thomas Harley celebrates after scoring in overtime in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Dallas Stars' Thomas Harley celebrates after scoring in overtime in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal during overtime in Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (88) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the first period of Game 1 in an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Toronto, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during overtime of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Dallas Stars' Thomas Harley celebrates after scoring in overtime in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) The NHL playoffs have reached the conference finals, with four teams ready to battle for the Stanley Cup. The defending champion Florida Panthers face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, while the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars meet up for a rematch of the 2024 West final. Advertisement Canada's hopes of ending the nation's Cup drought — dating to Montreal's win in 1993 — rests with the Oilers. All four rounds of the playoffs are best-of-seven, and the first team to 16 victories wins the Stanley Cup. It's a grind that won't end until June. Final four matchups Florida vs. Carolina. These teams played this round two years ago, and the Panthers swept the series, winning all four games by a goal. They are much different now, with Florida having won the first title in franchise history and the Hurricanes changing their roster with a series of trades over the past several months. The big question is whether Carolina can get that one big goal they've been missing in six consecutive playoff appearances under Rod Brind'Amour that ended with disappointing exits. Advertisement Dallas vs. Edmonton. Play starts in Texas, with the Stars owning home-ice advantage. They should have the edge in goal with Jake Oettinger, and coach Peter DeBoer has a team in the West final for the sixth time in seven seasons. The Oilers have the edge of experiencing from their long playoff run last year, plus two of the best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. How to watch Every game of the Stanley Cup playoffs is nationally televised in the U.S on an ABC/ESPN or Turner network. The NHL schedule is here and a streaming guide is here. Much of TNT's coverage, which includes the Stanley Cup Final, will be simulcast on truTV and available on Max's B/R Sports Add-On. In Canada, games will be showcased on Sportsnet and CBC. Who to watch Advertisement Florida: Brad Marchand is more than a decade removed from hoisting the Cup with Boston, and he was the Bruins' captain until getting traded to the Panthers at this year's deadline. He was arguably their best player in Game 7 of the second round against the Maple Leafs and even at age 37 remains a difference-maker. Carolina: Jaccob Slavin may be one of the best defensive defenseman in the history of the sport. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery lavished praise on Slavin at the end of their series, and the 31-year-old American is an expert at blocking shots, clearing pucks and doing all the little things that lead to wins at this time of year. Dallas: Mikko Rantanen — traded from Colorado to Carolina and then Carolina to Dallas this season — leads all playoff scorers with 19 points. He has driven the bus for the Stars and is must-see entertainment every game given how dominant he has been. Edmonton: Connor McDavid. The best hockey player in the world had a down season by his standards and dealt with injury, yet McDavid still finished with 100 points. Maybe he was on cruise control waiting for this moment, and the Stanley Cup is close enough to feel again for the three-time league MVP. Advertisement Who are the Stanley Cup favorites? Before the playoffs: Dallas and Florida were listed as co-favorites by BetMGM Sportsbook, followed by Colorado, Carolina, Edmonton and Vegas (tied) and Washington. After the first round (in order): Florida, Carolina, Dallas, Edmonton, Vegas, Toronto, Winnipeg and Washington. After the second round (in order): Edmonton, Florida, Dallas, Carolina. When is the Stanley Cup Final? The playoffs began April 19 to open three rounds of seven-game series in the East and West before the final starts in early June. If the final goes the distance, Game 7 could be as late as June 23. ___ AP NHL:
Toronto Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Maple Leafs, Panthers show support for Jets' Mark Scheifele
Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele waits on a faceoff against the Dallas Stars in the second period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Photo by Gareth Patterson / AP Photo The hearts of the Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers were with Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele on Sunday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account As the Leafs and Panthers prepared for Game 7 of their second-round series at Scotiabank Arena, both sides expressed condolences after Scheifele's father, Brad Scheifele, passed away unexpectedly overnight on Friday. Hours after learning of his dad's passing, Mark Scheifele played in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars on Saturday night. 'First and foremost, I think everyone in our locker room and certainly in the hockey world, is in mourning and feeling for him,' Leafs centre John Tavares said. 'Incredibly difficult news, extremely sad. We feel for him and are thinking about him and his family and wishing them the best. 'Pretty incredible effort, I thought he put forth last night in the way he competed and played, got a big goal for their team. I can only imagine how difficult it is for him right now.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Scheifele played 18 minutes 51 seconds and scored the Jets' only goal in a 2-1 loss that ended Winnipeg's season. Scheifele was serving a tripping minor when Stars defenceman Thomas Harley scored in overtime. Dallas won the best-of-seven series 4-2. Before taking questions during his morning media availability, Panthers coach Paul Maurice opened with some words of support for Scheifele, his family and the Jets. Maurice coached Scheifele for nine seasons in Winnipeg from 2013-22. 'On behalf of myself and my family and the entire Florida Panther organization, our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mark Scheifele, his family and the Winnipeg Jets family,' Maurice said. 'The Scheifele family is very close. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The display of courage and focus for Mark to do what he did and possibly an even greater display of the power of the family, of the Scheifele family, the Winnipeg Jets family for him to have played with his brothers, and that extends out to (coach) Scott Arniel and (general manager) Kevin Cheveldayoff and (Jets executive) Mark Chipman and all the Winnipeg Jets fans who a culture of family there that allowed that inspiration to happen. 'Thank you to them for that display, and also our condolences to them.' A year before the Leafs chose Morgan Rielly with the fifth pick in the 2012 draft, the Jets picked Scheifele with the seventh pick in 2011. In their respective hockey careers, Rielly and Scheifele have been teammates five times in international events — on four occasions with Hockey Canada and once with Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Knowing Mark and his family, it's something that I can't imagine,' Rielly said. 'All the credit in the world to him and his teammates and everyone in Winnipeg for pulling together. We'll be thinking about Mark and his family.' Panthers forward Brad Marchand was on the 2016 Canada team at the world championship with Scheifele and Rielly. 'An extremely tragic situation,' Marchand said. 'Our deepest condolences to Mark and his family. It's the worst possible thing you can go through, is losing a loved one. 'What he did last night was incredible. There's very few people who could have found the strength to play through something like that. To go out and to play the way he did and step up for his team, his family must be extremely proud of him and his dad would be. So much respect and love for him and his family. Those moments are much bigger than the game.' Leafs coach Craig Berube might have concurred. 'My heart goes out to him and his family,' Berube said. 'The courage he showed to play that game, and played well. It's a terrible situation. 'You feel for him, but I understand why he played. I really do. That's a tough day for everybody there.' tkoshan@ X: @koshtorontosun Toronto & GTA Sports World Editorial Cartoons Sunshine Girls
