Canada's NHL teams get ready for pivotal playoff weekend

The GIST: All first-round Game 2s are in the books, giving way to a weekend of pivotal Game 3s and 4s. With potential series-clinching scenarios on the horizon, here’s how Canada’s teams are faring, plus a quick spin around the headlines south of the border.

Last night’s Game 2s: The Toronto Maple Leafs (sans suspended forward Michael Bunting) came out hot, scoring three goals in the first period en route to a big 7–2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, highlighted by a hat trick for captain John Tavares. Now to snag the series lead tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET in the Sunshine State.

• Out West, stitched up center Annakin Skywalker Morgan Barron and the Wild Card Winnipeg Jets fought hard, but ultimately fell 5–2 to the Western Conference–winning Vegas Golden Knights. They’ll fly back home and attempt to soar back to the series lead tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET.

Tonight’s Game 3: After the Edmonton Oilers evened the series with their redemptive 4–2 win over the LA Kings on Wednesday — shoutout to Stuart Skinner, who became the first rookie goaltender to win a playoff game since 1982 — the Oilers will need to bring their starpower when the series shifts to the City of Angels at 10 p.m. ET.

Elsewhere: There’ve been plenty of stunners in the other series, but none more so than the Wild Card Florida Panthers routing the regular-season best Boston Bruins in Beantown on Wednesday. See if the Big Bad Bruins can regain their series lead in Florida tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET.

• As for the West Coast, the newbie Seattle Kraken are giving the defending champion Colorado Avalanche a run for their money. See who comes out of the weekend with the series lead when the Kraken host their first-ever home playoff game tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET.