The NHL Playoffs prove some curses are just too iconic to break

The GIST: You already know making a pro hockey playoff bracket can be hard and unpredictable, but some playoff trends are starting to resurface, like the Toronto Maple Leafs’ postseason struggles and the Presidents’ Trophy curse.

😬 Toronto on brink of elimination: Here’s your annual reminder to check on the Leafs fans in your life after the squad fell 6–1 to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. For those keeping track at home, the Leafs have now lost three straight after opening up a 2-0 series lead and are on the verge of yet another earlier-than-expected playoff exit heading into tonight’s 8 p.m. ET Game 6.

💪 Edmonton Oilers earn second straight Conference Finals berth: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl aren't the only Oilers who can light the lamp. Wednesday's 1–0 series-clinching overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights showcased Edmonton’s newfound depth: The game’s lone goal scorer, forward Kasperi Kapanen, wasn’t even in the lineup until Monday. Teamwork, dream work.

⚡ Carolina Hurricanes unseat top-seeded Washington Capitals: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, the Canes are skating for a ring of their own this year, eliminating the Caps in a gentleman’s sweep with last night’s 3–1 Game 5 dub. The Canes have made the Conference Finals in two of the last three years but haven’t hoisted Lord Stanley since 2006.

❌ Winnipeg Jets stave off Presidents’ Trophy curse…for now: Across the 38 seasons the NHL’s top regular-season team has been awarded the Presidents’ Trophy, only eight of those squads have gone on to win the Cup. But the Jets’ hopes to make it nine stayed alive last night after they topped the Dallas Stars (up 3-2) 4–0 to force tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET Game 6.