NHL in Action: Wild Upsets, Vezina Drama, and Playoff Preview

A Night of Upsets and Breakouts

The NHL’s final regular-season games saw the Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks pull off shocking road victories. The Wild edged the Dallas Stars 5-2, while the Ducks stunned the Edmonton Oilers 5-2—both wins setting up intriguing playoff positioning. With the Oilers and Stars now reliant on other results, the Western Conference’s tight playoff race remains wide open.

Vezina Finalists Highlight Goalie Dominance

The NHL announced its 2025/26 Vezina Trophy finalists, featuring two Russian netminders: Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning (39 wins, 2.31 GAA) and Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders (7 shutouts, .906 SV%). Their inclusion underscores the league’s reliance on elite goaltending, with Sorokin’s career year and Vasilevskiy’s consistency making them heavy favorites to win.

The Wraparound Podcast Breaks Down Playoff Chaos

In the latest The Wraparound episode, hosts dissected playoff matchups and off-season moves. Key takeaways: The Philadelphia Flyers’ road-heavy schedule could be a hurdle against the home-ice-dominant Carolina Hurricanes, while the Pittsburgh Penguins’ rebuild hinges on draft capital. The Montreal Canadiens’ depth concerns and Tampa Bay’s need for secondary scoring were also hot topics.

Betting Takeaway

With Sorokin and Vasilevskiy in top form, teams they start for (Islanders, Lightning) are strong overlays in early playoff lines. The Hurricanes’ 29-10-2 home record also makes them a must-watch for moneyline bettors ahead of their First Round clash with the Flyers.