Fri May 09 01:10:00 UTC 2025: ## NHL Playoffs: Upsets and Tight Races Mark Start of Second Round

**[City, State] –** The second round of the NHL playoffs is off to a thrilling start, with several unexpected results and close contests shaking up the series standings. The opening games saw upsets and impressive performances, leaving many series wide open heading into Game 2.

The Carolina Hurricanes, after defeating the Washington Capitals 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday, are now heavy favorites to win the series, with odds shifting dramatically in their favor. Jaccob Slavin’s overtime winner was his first career playoff game-winning goal. Conversely, Alex Ovechkin’s struggles continued, as he managed only one shot on goal, snapping an 18-game streak. The Capitals and Hurricanes face off again Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers took an early lead against the Vegas Golden Knights, winning Game 1 4-2. Connor McDavid continues to add to his impressive playoff goal total, and Evan Bouchard’s strong postseason performance continues with four goals already. The Oilers are now favored to win the series. Mark Stone scored two goals for the Golden Knights, but their top line struggled to generate offense. Their Game 2 matchup is also scheduled for Thursday.

Elsewhere, the Toronto Maple Leafs took a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Florida Panthers with a 4-3 victory in Game 2. Mitch Marner scored the game-winning goal just seconds after the Panthers tied the game. And the Dallas Stars opened their series against the Winnipeg Jets with a 3-2 victory, thanks to a hat trick by Mikko Rantanen. Game 2 of both these series will be played on Friday.

The early results highlight the unpredictability of the playoffs, setting the stage for exciting matchups in the coming days. Fans can expect more intense battles as teams fight to advance to the Conference Finals.

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