Ovechkin's still got it, and the Kings might finally have it: Early Stanley Cup playoff takeaways
Briefly

As the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs commence, early matchups highlight the importance of contributions from lesser-known players. Notable performances from Logan O'Connor and Colin Blackwell showcase how supporting cast members can tip the scales in tightly contested series like that of the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, now tied 1-1. Strong performances from the fourth lines of both teams emphasize the necessity for comprehensive team effort, indicating that even star players require backing to propel their teams through the playoffs effectively.
In the early playoff games, lesser-known players like Logan O'Connor and Colin Blackwell provide crucial support, showing that even bottom lines can heavily influence postseason outcomes.
The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars have demonstrated that deep contributions from all player tiers, especially from the bottom six, are vital for playoff success.
Both teams need their supporting cast to step up now more than ever, mimicking past playoff shortcomings for the Avalanche and Stars, respectively.
With the series tied at 1-1, the importance of having a balanced roster becomes evident, emphasizing that relying solely on star players isn't enough.
Read at ESPN.com
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