Key Showdowns in NHL Playoffs: Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers

The showdown between the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets in the second round took a bit longer to get underway compared to the other matchups. Now, both teams are set to play their crucial Game 3 on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET on TBS. This game is pivotal as it can give one of the Central division teams a 2-1 lead. Following this clash, an equally significant game will take place between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers at a more conventional time of 7:30 p.m. ET, also on TBS.

As the series stands, each team has earned a win in the previous matchups held in Winnipeg. Currently, ESPN BET predicts the Stars are more likely to win the series with odds favoring them at -170, while the Jets stand at +140. The Stars are a strong contender for the Stanley Cup, holding the second-best odds at +400, whereas the Jets have the third-highest odds at +900.

In the other key matchup, after a dramatic Game 3 where the Panthers emerged victorious, ESPN BET positions the Maple Leafs at -125 to take the series, with the Panthers having odds of +105. When looking ahead to the Stanley Cup, the Panthers are viewed slightly more favorably than the Leafs, coming in at +550, while Toronto is at +600.

Brad Marchand of the Panthers continues to make history, securing an overtime victory in Game 3, and extending his NHL record for consecutive postseasons with a game-winning goal—a streak that started in 2017. His achievement places him seventh all-time with four career playoff overtime goals.

Meanwhile, Maple Leafs center John Tavares delivered two goals in Game 3, marking his fourth career playoff game with multiple goals and his second such game against the Panthers. His last performance of this kind against Florida was back in 2016 when he was part of the New York Islanders.

Adding to the Leafs’ achievements, Morgan Rielly continues to solidify his position as the top-scoring defenseman in the franchise’s playoff history. He has now tallied 15 playoff goals, surpassing the former record holder Ian Turnbull, who scored 13.