The Edmonton Oilers showcased a remarkable defensive performance, shutting out the Dallas Stars 3-0 in Game 2 of the NHL's Western Conference final, leveling the series at one game each.

Despite a previous loss where they allowed five unanswered goals, the Oilers rebounded effectively. The team, led by captain Connor McDavid, has shifted towards a more balanced play style, emphasizing defensive responsibility alongside their renowned offensive capabilities. McDavid stated, "Yes, we can play defence," highlighting the team's evolution from past seasons.

Stuart Skinner, the goaltender, recorded his third shutout of the playoffs, amassing 25 saves. This defensive cohesion has become crucial as they navigate through the playoffs, with the forwards actively engaging in defensive duties, contributing to fewer scoring opportunities for their opponents.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opened the scoring, with further contributions from Brett Kulak and Connor Brown. Despite a costly minor penalty by Darnell Nurse, the Oilers managed to uphold their defensive intensity, preventing the Stars from capitalizing on their power plays. Moreover, the Oilers improved their special teams, converting a power play while nullifying Dallas' chances.

The upcoming playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals features contrasting offensive styles. The Hurricanes boast the highest shot volume in the NHL playoffs, while the Capitals, led by Alex Ovechkin, favor a more selective approach that relies on defense and turnovers. Both teams are well-matched in defensive strategies, with no secrets between them, according to their coaches.

In the first round, the Hurricanes excelled on special teams, achieving a perfect penalty kill and a commendable power play success rate. Meanwhile, the Capitals have their work cut out for them, particularly given their struggles against the Canadiens' power play. Key players like Dylan Strome and Ovechkin have stepped up for Washington, with Strome leading the team in scoring during the previous round. Carolina also welcomes back goaltender Frederik Andersen and center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, enhancing their lineup as they face a formidable opponent in the Capitals.

Gabriel Vilardi is set to return for the Winnipeg Jets in a crucial Game 5 against the St. Louis Blues, aiming to positively impact the team's playoff performance. Acknowledging his absence due to an undisclosed upper-body injury, Vilardi emphasized his intention to support his line partners, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. As a key player, he contributed significantly in the regular season with 61 points in 71 games.

Despite the Jets' uneven playoff performance, scoring just 2 goals on the power play, coach Scott Arniel expressed confidence in Vilardi's readiness, indicating that he won't face restrictions as the intensity rises in the playoffs.

Logan Thompson clarified his Game 3 injury after the Washington Capitals' 5–2 win against the Montreal Canadiens, stating he did not sustain a lower-body injury as initially suspected, but rather a head injury. A collision with teammate Dylan Strome led to a scary moment where Thompson lost his balance and fell. Thankfully, he passed concussion protocols and returned to help Washington take a 3-1 series lead, stopping 16 of 18 shots in Game 4.

The Capitals capitalized on a slow start, turning a deficit into a convincing victory by scoring four unanswered goals in the third period. This intense matchup highlighted the resilience of the Capitals, especially as both teams dealt with starting goalie injuries during the series.