The Oilers' Top 5 Heroes in Round 1 and 2 of the 2025 Playoffs – Hockey Writer – Edmonton Oilers
After knocking out the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs and eliminating the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, the Edmonton Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Finals where they will play against the Dallas star.
Having won eight of the last nine games, Edmonton is the hottest team in hockey, although the Oilers’ biggest star has cooled down.
In the 2024-25 season, Edmonton averaged significantly fewer goals per game in the 2025 playoffs: Leon Draisaitl dropped from 0.73 to 0.45, Connor McDavid dropped from 0.39 to 0.27, and Zach Hyman dropped from 0.39 to 0.37, from 0.39 to 0.27.
Even more surprising is that they have limited contributions to Edmonton's success, with the aforementioned trio scoring only six goals in eight games the Oilers won this season.
It can be said that the Oilers’ auxiliary cast is the biggest reason to reach the Stanley Cup final for the second consecutive year. But it's not just Evan Bouchard, Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who are expected to produce players reinforcements at above average levels. This is also third and fourth. It seems that the unique people add this occasion to every game.
This is the Edmonton skaters who have been the most unlikely heroes in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
5. MattiasJanmark
In the 2024-25 season, experienced winger Mattias Janmark has scored many goals in the 2025 playoffs: two. His playoff score is certainly more impressive than his regular season goals, with one goal being scored into an empty net and the other being a lucky rebound.
He broke the 1-1 score by scoring a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles in Game 5 of the first round, when he buried the rebound behind Kings Netminder Darcy Kuemper with 12:48 left in the third phase.
This playoff altitude is becoming a trademark of Janmark, who also equals four goals in his 2023-24 regular season in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
4. Adam Henrique
Adam Henrique was quiet in most playoffs, with only three goals, but two of them scored less than 12 minutes, beating Edmonton 3-0 in Game 4 of the 2nd Round 4.
Related: 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Hub
Last season, the Oilers acquired Henrique through trade with the Anaheim Ducks, and they did. Henrique has extensive playoff experience, dating back to his first season in the NHL, when he was the 2012 Stanley Cup final for the New Jersey Devils.
The 2012 playoffs was also Henrik's last goal in the playoffs. By scoring twice in Game 4 against Vegas, the veteran forward sets a new benchmark for the longest span between multiple goals in Stanley Cup playoff history, in 13 years and 16 days.
3. Connor Brown
Connor Brown was influential in the first round against the Kings, scoring three in six games. He scored two goals in Game 3 as Edmonton rallied from a 2-0 series deficit and has since advanced to the Oilers’ eight wins in nine games.
The 31-year-old striker also scored in his first game against Vegas, with a total of four goals in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, which is already more than he has done throughout his NHL playoff career before this spring.
Brown surpassed his total by 6 points in the entire 2024 playoffs. He has reached 7 points this playoffs, all of which appear at average strength.
2. Casperi Kapanin
Kasperi Kapanen has been healthy in Edmonton's first nine playoff games, feeling his presence immediately when he went to the roster against Vegas in Game 4 and sent five hits in 14:21 on Ice Time.
Then in Game 5, the 28-year-old striker scored Edmonton's biggest goal of 2025. In overtime, Kapanen found the puck in the wild scramble in front of Vegas Netminder and placed it behind the network, giving Edmonton a victory in the game and series. His clutch count is just the seventh chain goal in overtime in franchise history.
In just two playoff games, Kapanen hit eight shots, eight hits, and was a plus one, surely ensuring his roster in the first game against Dallas.
1. Cory Perry
This time last year, Corey Perry found himself a healthy scratch as Edmonton reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Twelve months later, he shared the team's lead in the 2025 playoffs.
Perry has lit the lights five times so far, scoring twice against the Kings and three against Vegas. In Game 3 of Round 2, the veteran performed well in the opening frame 7:19 and 11:12, which made him the third-largest player in Stanley Cup playoff history (in 39 years and 359 days) and with a multi-ball period history.
Perry continues his incredible revival in his outstanding drama as he turns 40 on Friday (May 16). Perry scored 19 goals in the regular season in 2024-25, ranking fifth among the Oilers, tied for the highest in a season since 2015-16.
Perry's plus sign (Plus/sinus) has 6 times, ranking fourth in the playoffs. He also ranked fourth with a priority 12 rating in the regular season.
The Western Conference Final will begin on Wednesday, May 21 at the American Airlines Center. The Oilers hope their stars can get back to shape. Coupled with the continuous secondary score, it will make Edmonton difficult to beat.
