NHL Playoffs 2025: Stanley Cup schedule, bracket, scores, as Golden Knights beat Oilers with buzzer-beater

Exciting games highlighted another night in the second round of the 2025 NHL playoffs, as the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights made progress towards the conference finals. Carolina secured a shutout victory against the Washington Capitals in Game 3, while Vegas relied on Reilly Smith`s dramatic last-second goal.

In Raleigh, Frederik Andersen posted a perfect performance, stopping all 21 shots faced to lead the Hurricanes to a 4-0 shutout win over the Capitals. Andersen was outstanding, supported by offensive contributions from throughout the Carolina lineup.

Andrei Svechnikov opened the scoring with a remarkable individual effort in the second period, and Jack Roslovic contributed two points. For Washington, goaltender Logan Thompson struggled, allowing four goals on only 28 shots. He will need a much better outing in Game 4 if the Capitals hope to even the series.

Meanwhile, in Edmonton, the matchup between the Golden Knights and Oilers appeared destined for overtime after Connor McDavid netted the tying goal with just over three minutes remaining. However, Reilly Smith had a different outcome in mind.

As time expired in regulation, Smith collected a loose puck in the high slot. He executed a superb move, faking out two Oilers defenders, skating around Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner, and banking the game-winning goal off Leon Draisaitl`s stick with a mere 0.4 seconds showing on the clock.

Sunday`s scheduled games face a challenge in matching the previous night`s drama but promise more intensity. The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars will play a crucial Game 3, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs attempting to move one step closer to eliminating the Florida Panthers.

Round 2

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4
Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3
Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
Game 4: Sunday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m. | at FLA | TBS/truTV/Max
Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | 7 p.m. | at TOR | ESPN
*Game 6: Friday, May 16 | TBD | at FLA | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 7: Sunday, May 18 | TBD | at TOR | TNT/Max

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1
Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0
Game 4: Monday, May 12 | 7 p.m. | at CAR | TNT/truTV/Max
Game 5: Thursday, May 15 | 7 p.m. | at WSH | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 6: Saturday, May 17 | TBD | at CAR | TBD
*Game 7: Monday, May 19 | TBD | at WSH | ESPN

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2
Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0
Game 3: Sunday, May 11 | 4:30 p.m. | at DAL | TBS/truTV/Max
Game 4: Tuesday, May 13 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN
Game 5: Thursday, May 15 | 9:30 p.m. | at Jets | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 6: Saturday, May 17 | TBD | at DAL | TBD
*Game 7: Monday, May 19 | TBD | at WPG | ESPN

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2
Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3
Game 4: Monday, May 12 | 9:30 p.m. | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 | 9:30 p.m. | at VGK | ESPN
*Game 6: Friday, May 16 | TBD | at EDM | TNT/truTV/Max
*Game 7: Sunday, May 18 | TBD | at VGK | TNT/Max

Round 1

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0
Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2

(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2
Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0
Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1
Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2
Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1
Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3
Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2
Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2
Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT)

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3
Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1
Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2
Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1
Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3
Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2
Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT)

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1
Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)
Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0
Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2
Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4
Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2
Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT)
Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT)
Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5
Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2
Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4
Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT)
Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1
Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4