Pavel Dorofeyev registered three or more shots on goal in four consecutive games against Utah in the first round, then recorded just one in each of his next four outings. The 25-year-old Russian right wing is back to shooting with regularity, as he has notched at least three in three straight contests, scoring a total of five times. He's second on the Golden Knights with 32 shots this postseason, and I expect him to continue his shooting spree in Game 1.
Martin Necas set a career high this season with 38 goals. But the 27-year-old Czech center scored just once in nine games over the first two playoff rounds. There's been no lack of trying, as Necas is second on the Avalanche with 25 shots. He recorded three goals in as many meetings with Vegas during the regular season, so I like his chances of breaking out of his slump in this series, beginning with the opening game.
Brett Howden had 12 goals in 58 games during the regular season but has seven in 11 contests this postseason. Since failing to score in Vegas' first three playoff games, he has converted in six of the team's last eight. The fact he didn't score in Game 5 against the Ducks makes me like his chances on Thursday even more, as I'm hesitant to back a player with a lengthy goal-scoring streak (i.e. Anaheim's Beckett Sennecke). I think it's worth taking a chance on Howden in Game 6.
I was on the Josh Doan assist train for each of Buffalo's last two games and safely reached my desired destination both times, so I'm taking another ride. He's notched an assist in five straight and six of his last seven after going without a point in his first three career playoff games. The Canadiens have yet to find a way to keep Doan off the scoresheet in this series, and I don't see them discovering a method in Game 5.
After scoring a career-high 51 goals to finish two behind Nathan MacKinnon for the Maurice Richard Trophy this season, Cole Caufield tallied just once in Montreal's first nine playoff contests. But he appears to have rediscovered his touch as he ended his five-game drought in Game 3 and converted again two nights later. Including the 2025-26 regular season, Caufield has six goals in eight outings against Buffalo, and I expect him to add to that total Thursday night.
The Capitals are the highest-scoring team in the NHL with 101 goals in 24 games and have recorded at least four in every contest of their four-game winning streak, all without Alex Ovechkin (broken leg). They have netted five-plus tallies in six of their last nine outings. Only Pittsburgh (100) has allowed more goals than the Sharks (96) this season. San Jose also has had an offensive burst, averaging 5.5 tallies over its last four games. Expect a high-scoring affair.
The Jets begin the second half of their six-game road trip after winning two of the first three contests. They allowed one goal in each of the two victories, and they're facing a Kings team that is struggling offensively. In its last three games, Los Angeles has netted a total of four tallies. Winnipeg's Alex Iafallo is coming off a two-goal effort and will look to remain hot against his former team. Take the Jets.
Colorado returns home after concluding a 3-1-0 road trip by getting trounced 8-2 at Tampa Bay on Monday. It hosts a Vegas team that has won three straight after losing the opener of its five-game trek. Jack Eichel recorded six points in those victories, scoring a goal in each contest, and has landed on the scoresheet in nine of his last 10 outings.
The Flames are kicking off a four-game road trip after a perfect 4-0-0 homestand. Calgary has earned points in eight of its last nine overall contests, going 6-1-2 in that span. Yegor Sharangovich, who scored a career-high 31 goals last season, has tallied in back-to-back games after recording only two goals in his first 12 outings in 2024-25. Ottawa has lost five straight both overall and at home (0-4-1).
The Capitals have won three in a row but will be without Alex Ovechkin (leg), who scored five goals in his last two games. Colorado has won four of its last five and is well-rested since beginning a four-game road trip with a victory at Philadelphia on Monday. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 34 points and has notched nine in his last five contests. The Avs will avenge last week's home loss to Washington.
Ottawa has won its last three visits to Toronto but is just 2-5-0 on the road this season. The Maple Leafs are wrapping up a four-game homestand during which they allowed a total of two goals while winning the first three contests - all without Auston Matthews (upper body), who is doubtful for the meeting with the Senators. William Nylander (two goals, three assists) and John Tavares (three goals) have been big contributors during the homestand, while Mitch Marner (three goals, 10 assists) is riding an eight-game points streak.
The Panthers are red-hot, having won five straight games and 15 of their last 17. It's difficult to think they'll falter against a New Jersey team that just fired its head coach. Anthony Stolarz likely will get the start in net after Sergei Bobrovsky beat the Rangers on Monday and is 0-1-1 lifetime versus the Devils, but he's 5-1-0 in his last six outings and has allowed more than two goals just once in that span. Sam Reinhart is second in the NHL with a career-high 44 goals and has scored five during his current three-game streak. Take the Panthers.
The Maple Leafs opened their five-game homestand with a 6-2 loss to Vegas, which ended their seven-game winning streak. They'll be looking to take out their frustrations on someone, and who better than a Coyotes team that has lost 13 straight (0-11-2)? Nine of the defeats were by at least two goals, and Arizona now faces Auston Matthews, who leads the NHL with 52. Matthews has gone back-to-back games without a goal for just the third time since the start of December. He scored twice in Toronto's 6-3 at Arizona last week.
Boston is eighth in the NHL with 202 goals and scored four times in each of its last two home games. Goals have been plentiful in contests involving Vegas of late, as each of the last four have had totals of six or more. The last two games were on the road, and the Bruins are back home following a four-game trek through Western Canada and Seattle during which they totaled seven goals over the last three contests. They'll be eager to break out in their own building. Take the Over.
These teams combined for eight goals in their first meeting of the season, a 5-3 home win by Los Angeles. Nine of the Kings' last 11 road games have had at least six goals scored in them, while seven or more tallies have been totaled in five of Calgary's last eight contests. The Flames have produced six goals themselves in two of their last three games. Expect the lamp to be lit often in this one.