Lead as much as Stanley Cup Closing Sport 4 for 12 June

The Oilers duo of Connor McDavid (1.83 P/GP) and Leon Draisaitl (1.50 P/GP) each common greater than 1.50 factors per sport in playoff contests instantly following a loss, and can look to proceed that manufacturing and even the collection in Sport 4.* For the second straight 12 months, the Panthers may have the chance to board a airplane to Edmonton one win shy of hoisting the Stanley Cup. To get them there, a trio of gamers in Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Nate Schmidt will all goal to proceed their momentum this collection and be capable to add themselves to notable Stanley Cup Closing lists within the course of.

* Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar is now a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy after an announcement Wednesday, a feat solely Erik Karlsson (3x) has achieved amongst energetic defensemen. The winners of the ultimate two awards, the Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy, will probably be introduced through the 2025 NHL Awards one-hour particular tonight at 6 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, MAX, Sportsnet).

McDAVID, DRAISAITL HAVE HISTORY OF BOUNCING BACK

Connor McDavid (6-25—31 in 19 GP) and Leon Draisaitl (10-19—29 in 19 GP), the highest two producers within the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, have proven a historical past of bouncing again with large playoff performances following a loss all through their profession. The Oilers will search for the 2 to rebound as soon as once more and even the collection 2-2.

* The duo have every appeared in 36 profession playoff video games following a defeat and personal a 20-16 document in these contests (3-2 in 2025), whereas averaging greater than 1.50 factors per sport: McDavid (20-46—66; 1.83 P/GP) and Draisaitl (21-33—54; 1.50 P/GP). The one different gamers in NHL historical past averaging over 1.50 factors per sport following a playoff loss (min. 20 GP) are Mario Lemieux (1.92) and Wayne Gretzky (1.68).

* The final time McDavid and Draisaitl entered Sport 4 of a Stanley Cup Closing following a loss, they had been trailing a collection 3-0 to the Panthers heading into Sport 4 of the 2024 Closing in Edmonton. In that contest, McDavid (1-3—4) and Draisaitl (0-2—2) every recorded a number of factors in an 8-1 win to maintain their season alive and begin a comeback try that might push the championship collection all the best way to Sport 7. The sport was additionally memorable as a result of McDavid set a brand new NHL document for many assists in a playoff 12 months, breaking a document beforehand held by Gretzky.

STREAKS ON THE LINE AS PANTHERS TAKE AIM AT COMMANDING 3-1 SERIES LEAD

The Panthers will as soon as once more have the chance to take a commanding lead within the Closing as they enter Sport 4 on Thursday with the intention of leaving Amerant Financial institution Enviornment with a 3-1 collection lead and on a three-game successful streak. Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Nate Schmidt have every performed integral roles for the Panthers by way of the Closing and may obtain notable feats ought to they carry that momentum into Sport 4.

* Schmidt has nearly doubled his level complete by way of the primary three collection of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, having recorded 5 of his 12 playoff factors within the Closing. He can turn out to be the fourth defenseman in NHL historical past to open a Stanley Cup Closing with an help streak of 4 video games – he would be part of Brad Stuart in 2007-08 (w/ DET), Stefan Persson in 1982 (w/ NYI) and Denis Potvin in 1982 (w/ NYI). Schmidt has by no means recorded a four-game help streak in his profession (common season or playoffs).

* Bennett and Marchand each enter Sport 4 with targets in every of the primary three video games to begin the Closing, with Bennett’s complete run at 4 video games spanning to Sport 5 of the Japanese Convention Closing. They’ll turn out to be the fourth and fifth gamers within the growth period (since 1967-68) to attain a purpose in every of the primary 4 video games of a Stanley Cup Closing. Mike Bossy (4 GP in 1982), Steve Payne (4 GP in 1981) and Johnny Bucyk (4 GP in 1970) are the one ones to take action so far.

* Bennett, who’s presently main the playoffs in targets (14), has already set a Panthers document for many targets in a playoff 12 months and is 2 shy from turning into the second participant in franchise historical past to attain 30 within the postseason. Ought to he discover the again of the online in Sport 4, he can turn out to be the primary participant this postseason to document a five-game purpose streak – three gamers did so final season: Valeri Nichushkin (7 GP), Vincent Trocheck (5 GP) and Artturi Lehkonen (5 GP).

AVALANCHE’S MAKAR WINS SECOND NORRIS TROPHY

Cale Makar is the 2024-25 recipient of the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the protection participant who demonstrates all through the season the best all-round capacity within the place,” as chosen by the Skilled Hockey Writers Affiliation. Makar was {golfing} when he was shocked by family and friends, together with his spouse and fogeys, with the trophy.

* Makar, a Norris Trophy finalist for the fifth time in his first six NHL seasons, has captured the award for the second time (2021-22). He turns into simply the second energetic defenseman with a number of Norris Trophy wins, becoming a member of Erik Karlsson (3).

2025 NHL AWARDS AIRS TONIGHT ON TNT, SPORTSNET

The NHL will have fun finest gamers, coaches and performances from the 2024-25 season with the 2025 NHL Awards, a one-hour particular that may premiere earlier than Sport 4 of the Stanley Cup Closing (6 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, MAX, Sportsnet). The present, hosted by actor Isaiah Mustafa, will recap the winners introduced to date and also will reveal the Hart Memorial Trophy and Vezina Trophy winners for the primary time.