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The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have showcased electrifying performances, with NHL EDGE puck and player tracking stats revealing the standout players driving their teams forward. From blistering skating speeds to powerful shots and clutch saves, the advanced metrics highlight the league’s elite. Connor McDavid leads in skating speed, while others dominate in shot speed, high-danger shots, saves, and offensive zone time. Here’s a breakdown of the top performers in key EDGE categories.
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid continues to redefine speed, clocking the fastest skating burst of the 2025 playoffs at 23.92 miles per hour during an end-to-end rush in Game 2’s third period against the Los Angeles Kings. This edges out his 2024 postseason high of 23.85 mph, set in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against Dallas. McDavid also leads the NHL with 49 bursts exceeding 20 mph and 12 surpassing 22 mph in six games. His speed complements his offensive output, tying for fourth league-wide with 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) through six playoff games. Since the 2024 playoffs, McDavid’s 53 points (10 goals, 43 assists) in 31 games top the NHL, showcasing his unmatched impact.
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Colin Miller unleashed the hardest shot of the 2025 playoffs, reaching 99.74 mph, narrowly beating Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman (99.20 mph). Miller, who ranked fourth in the regular season with a 103.08 mph shot, continues to bring firepower from the blue line. The playoffs have seen 86 shots exceeding 90 mph, with 72 from defensemen. Hedman leads with 10 such shots, followed by St. Louis’ Colton Parayko and Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard (8 each). Among forwards, only Alex Ovechkin (4) and Mark Stone (2) have multiple 90-plus mph shots, underlining the defensive dominance in this metric.
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz leads players from advancing teams with 12 high-danger shots on goal in seven games, a testament to his clutch play in Dallas’ first-round win over Colorado. Hintz erupted for six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in the final three games, including a record-tying four-point period in Game 6 alongside teammate Mikko Rantanen. His EDGE stats shine beyond shots, ranking second in skating speed (23.67 mph), third in 20-plus mph bursts (42), and second in 22-plus mph bursts (9). Hintz’s two high-danger goals contribute to Dallas’ eight in the playoffs, building on his regular-season ranks in the 94th percentile for high-danger shots (74) and goals (18). Toronto’s Matthew Knies leads all players with four high-danger goals, while he and Auston Matthews trail Hintz with 11 high-danger shots each.
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger has been a wall, leading advancing teams’ goalies with 49 high-danger saves against 61 high-danger shots in seven games. Facing a potent Colorado offense—second in goals per game (3.62) since March 1—Oettinger posted a .911 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average. He also leads all playoff goalies with 51 midrange and 51 long-range saves, allowing zero long-range goals, a feat unmatched except by Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood (32 long-range saves). Oettinger’s five games with a save percentage above .900 are the most in the playoffs, proving his reliability under pressure.
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere tops advancing players with a 51.8% offensive zone time percentage in five games, controlling puck possession in the opponent’s end. Gostisbehere’s four points (1 goal, 3 assists), including three on the power play, surpass his 2023 playoff output with Carolina (3 points in 15 games). He led the NHL in this metric during the regular season (51.3%), joined by teammates Sebastian Aho (50.2%, second), Jackson Blake (49.6%, third), Andrei Svechnikov (49.2%, fifth), and Seth Jarvis (49.1%, tied-sixth). Carolina’s team dominance in offensive zone time (45.1% in playoffs, 47.2% in regular season) sets the stage for their second-round clash with Washington.
NHL EDGE stats, powered by puck and player tracking since 2021-22, provide granular insights into player performance. Skating speed and bursts highlight explosive movement, critical for creating scoring chances, as McDavid exemplifies. Shot speed, led by Miller, reflects the power behind offensive threats, especially from defensemen. High-danger shots and saves, dominated by Hintz and Oettinger, underscore clutch play in high-stakes areas. Offensive zone time, where Gostisbehere excels, measures puck control, a key driver of game dominance, as Carolina’s rankings show. A 2020 Journal of Sports Sciences study notes that advanced metrics like these correlate with a 15% increase in predictive accuracy for team success, making them vital for playoff analysis.
As the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs progress, these EDGE stats leaders set the tone for their teams. McDavid’s speed fuels Edmonton’s attack, while Miller’s shot power bolsters Winnipeg’s defense. Hintz and Oettinger drive Dallas’ balanced game, and Gostisbehere’s puck possession anchors Carolina’s relentless pressure. With second-round matchups like Hurricanes vs. Capitals underway, expect these metrics to shape outcomes. Fans can track these trends on NHL, where data refreshes daily, offering a deeper look into the playoff’s defining moments.
By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer
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