The NHL finals are in full swing, and there have been no surprises after the first few days.
Only the time will show if there are any upsets in the first round, but there are many players whose heritage will be built over the Stanley Cup hunt.
With that in mind, here is a six-pack player mostly under the microscope.
Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars
Game 1 in the series was a disaster for all the stars-one 5-1 shellacking that already has them in a deep hole. Dallas is in real danger with Game 2 Monday night at home. Another loss will have avalanche looking for a sweep when the series moves to Denver.
Despite their Stanley Cup jump, Avalanche chose to replace Rantanen back in January instead of possibly losing him through a free agency. After a short stop with Carolina Hurricanes, he was traded at Dallas and signed to an eight -year extension of $ 96 million that kicks in next season.
With that deal, expectations will be a difference manufacturer, but Rantanen was a non-factor in the series opener for a Dallas team that lacks its top goal scorer in Jason Robertson and top defender in Miro Heiskanen.
This is a tipping point for the big wing to prove that he was worth the beings.
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
April 7, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Can; Winnipeg Jet’s goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (37) blocks a shot from St. Louis Blues Center Radek Faksa (12) during the third period at the Canada Life Center. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images Hellebuyck will win its third Vezina trophy as the league’s best goalkeeper – and earned that way. He is the backbone of the team that claimed the presidents’ trophy as a champion with a regular season.
What is missing from Hellebuyck’s CV is championship. The closest Winnipeg has arrived was the playoffs in 2018, when Jets was eliminated by Vegas Golden Knights in the conference finals.
Hellebuyck has achieved so much, but leading jets in honor would send him on a road to the Hall of Fame.
Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
April 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, can; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) reacts after scoring the Ottawa senators during the first period of Game one of the first round of Playoffs 2025 Stanley Cup in Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn images The other members of Torontos Core Four – Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares – are also facing intensive review this spring.
Toronto has never won more than two rounds of the playoffs and has only one series of victory over the past 20 years and beat Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round in 2023.
Marner, who led the team in the regular season with 102 points, is an ongoing unlimited free agent. A successful playoffs is crucial for Maple Leafs who keeps this group as intact as possible.
Marner started the playoffs on a fantastic note, once made two assists in a 6-2 victory over the Ottawa senators. Let’s see if it is a springboard for a championship.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, Washington Capitals
March 11, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Washington Capital’s left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) carries the puck during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn pictures The regular season was one for the ages of Washington. The headlines were mainly about Alex Ovechkin’s driving to surpass Wayne Gretzky as the league’s goal scorer all the time, but the team claimed Eastern Conference Crown with a 51 win, 111-points campaign.
Now to prove his Mettle in the playoffs. Washington turned out to be a potent offensive force, but a huge key was the team’s defensive game. Dubois was a huge reason for that-not just netting of 20 goals but also served as the second line center for the opposition’s top lines.
Apart from their Stanley Cup victory in 2017, the capitals have a history of flaming out the playoffs when heavy favorites.
Quinton Byfield, Los Angeles Kings
April 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings Center Quinton Byfield (55) takes a picture during the third period of Game Four in the first round of Playoffs 2024 Stanley Cup against Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans-USA Today Sports The kings are up to Edmonton Oilers for the fourth season in a row. Los Angeles lost the last three meetings.
Will this year be different? Kings, which has a home is advantage, has a strong crew of forward, especially on its three best lines, and must keep Edmonton’s crime in check.
This season is the chance of Byfield, the second overall choice of 2020 draft, to raise its status in a huge way.
