The initial phase of the Stanley Cup Playoffs delivered thrilling moments. In the Western Conference, two series required the maximum seven games to decide a winner. Both the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets advanced to the second round, overcoming difficult situations late in their respective Game 7 matchups.
Several players delivered outstanding individual performances that were crucial to their teams progressing. The second round is set to start with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing off against the defending champions, the Florida Panthers. Among the standout players, Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen dramatically impacted his series against the Colorado Avalanche.
Let`s examine three players who were particularly brilliant during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Mikko Rantanen, Stars
Facing his former club in the opening round, Stars forward Mikko Rantanen seemed motivated by revenge.
Following failed contract extension talks, the Avalanche traded Rantanen to the Hurricanes in a deal that brought back Martin Necas. Carolina then subsequently traded Rantanen to Dallas shortly before the trade deadline.
Rantanen`s series began quietly against his old teammates, with only one assist in the first four games. Yet, he exploded offensively in the final three contests. During this crucial stretch, he scored five goals and added six assists. His Game 7 performance was particularly remarkable: he registered three goals and an assist, helping turn a 2-0 third-period deficit into an unexpected 4-2 win.
He made history by becoming the first NHL player to record four points in a period in consecutive games, following a goal and three assists in the second period of Game 6. He completed his Game 7 hat-trick with an empty-net goal.
The Stars forward truly embodied the concept of carrying his team. Rantanen delivered when the Stars were under pressure, propelling them to the next round where they will face a Jets squad that also required clutch play to overcome the Blues.Anthony Stolarz, Maple Leafs
Primarily a backup throughout his NHL career, Anthony Stolarz seized his opportunity to shine when the Maple Leafs began their Stanley Cup Playoff run.
He split goaltending duties with Joseph Woll for much of the regular season, but coach Craig Berube chose the veteran Stolarz as the starter for the series against Ottawa. Over six games, Stolarz posted a 2.21 goals-against-average and a .901 save percentage, winning four times. He allowed two or fewer goals in five of the six games.
In the series-clinching game, Stolarz stopped 11 out of the last 12 shots he faced in the third period. Across the final two games, he allowed only four goals in total, which was key in helping the Maple Leafs close out the series before Game 7.
Stolarz proved to be a reliable presence in net for Toronto during critical moments. Having played only one previous playoff game before this series, he undeniably passed this significant test with distinction.
Connor McDavid, Oilers
The Oilers faced a challenging beginning to their series, being outscored 12-7 in the first two games. However, a team featuring a talent like Connor McDavid is always capable of turning things around.
McDavid finished the six-game series with two goals and nine assists, consistently delivering strong performances. The Oilers captain had three multi-point games, showcasing his exceptional playmaking throughout the round.
When the Oilers fell behind 2-0 in the series, McDavid took over in a crucial game where a win was essential to regain momentum. The superstar contributed a goal and two assists, notably earning the primary assist on Evander Kane`s game-tying goal in the third period of a game the Oilers ultimately won 7-4.
McDavid has repeatedly shown he performs at his best in high-pressure situations. While his impact isn`t solely measured in goals, his overall influence on the game is so profound that opponents struggle to contain him, as the Kings experienced in the first round.
