Sixteen teams in total make the NBA playoffs, eight teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The top six seeds in each conference advance based on the regular season record. The final two seeds in each conference are wild-card spots based on the best remaining records in each conference.

The Edmonton Oilers probably feel like they let Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars get away from them. Initially holding a 3-1 lead, the Oilers let the Stars back in through a series of power play goals,

Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand, left, is separated by officials from Carolina Hurricanes' Shayne Gostisbehere (4) during the third period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) AP

Heading into a crucial Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, a change needed to be made by the Carolina Hurricanes. Down 2-0 to the Florida Panthers and allowing ten goals in those two losses, Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour decided to make a change in goal.

It’s cliche to say that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, but in this instance, it’s a great example of exactly that.’