The NHL playoffs are heading into the fifth day and every series is about to switch venues, except for Anaheim-Edmonton, which began later than the others.
The Philadelphia Flyers are the only true surprise, winning both of their games in Pittsburgh against the Penguins in their first playoff appearance since 2020.
The conference-leading Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes hold 2-0 leads after the games were closely contested. The Buffalo Sabres-Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning-Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars-Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights-Utah Mammoth series are tied 1-1.
Here are the winners and losers of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs so far:
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
1 / 33NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 seasonApril 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
The 19-year-old is first NHL teenager to get game-winning goals in his first two playoff games. His first goal was spectacular and he showed good instincts on the second. He was playing for Michigan State in late March and his arrival has been as helpful as a trade deadline acquisition.
The Hurricanes had used both Andersen and Brandon Bussi down the stretch. But they went with the veteran Andersen over Bussi, who had given up a few bad goals late in the season. Andersen has rewarded the decision. He got a shutout in the opener and stopped 37 of 39 shots in a double-overtime win in Game 2.
Just like the Hurricanes, the Avalanche had a choice to make in net between Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood. Wedgewood filled in well at the start of the season when Blackwood was hurt. He also played better down the stretch. Wedgewood is second in the playoffs behind Andersen with a 0.94 goals-against average.
Hagel missed much of the first round last season because of a one-game suspension then a series-ending injury on a hit that earned Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad a two-game suspension. But Hagel has been a factor against the Montreal Canadiens. He scored twice in the opener and had a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist, fight) in Game 2. He's averaging more than 24 minutes a game.
The Penguins had the seventh-ranked power play in the regular season, but the Flyers have shut it down, going 7-for-7 on the kill and allowing only three shots on goal. They also scored a short-handed goal in Game 2. The Penguins have trouble setting up and on one power play, they were called for offsides multiple times. The Flyers' power play was last in the league in the regular season – and scoreless in this series – and the Penguins need to connect on the power play if they are going to get back in the series.
He allowed a goal from center ice when Morgan Geekie was merely chipping the puck into the offensive zone. Luukkonen didn't last the game, being pulled after giving up four goals on 19 shots. He has a 4.19 goals against average. The Bruins have taken leads in both games. The Sabres were able to rally in Game 1 but couldn't in Game 2.
MORGAN GEEKIE JUST SCORED A GOAL FROM CENTER ICE 😱WHAT IS GOING ON 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dTEylZ4aP7
To his credit, Luukkonen owned up to his mistake after the game. "Just a bad bounce on the goal, the second one there," he told reporters. "Of course, it's my fault, like there's no way around it, and you just got to do better with those."
He has gone 22 games since he last scored a goal on March 4. He had 24 goals in 62 games before that drought began. The Golden Knights could use more scoring as they head to Utah with the series tied.