The second round is heating up like Mikko Rantanen in recent games. His run has every fan in awe but also wondering about him in the big picture of the league (do the Avalanche regret the trade, or will they still be fine?). Plus, a look at Hellebuyck finding his footing, the Oilers once again proving why they can go on a playoff run, and the Maple Leafs who might hit the panic button soon (just not after Game 3).

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There's so much to talk about in so little time. The Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets win dramatic Game 7s, the first round had plenty of excitement and the second round is around the corner. Justin Giampietro joins Mike Fink to dive into it all!

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The first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs is starting to wrap up, and it's easy to look at every series as an optimist or a pessimist. So, Alex Chauvancy joins Mike Fink to first look at the positives, the teams who are stepping up in the first round, and then look at the teams (the Toronto Maple Leafs) who are collapsing. Plus, a look at the eliminated teams and coaches challenging goals.Follow Mike Fink's writing - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/mfink/And our guest this week:Alex Chauvancy - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/achauvancy/Follow The Hockey Writers:Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheHockeyWriterInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehockeywriters_Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheHockeyWriters/Substack - https://thehockeywriters.substack.com/Graphics by Vince Richard - https://www.behance.net/vincergraphics