---
title: "NHL Playoffs: Who’s Hot and Who’s Buried in the Cold?"
description: "Svechnikov and Zegras sizzle while Thompson and Dahlin freeze—playoff hopes hang in the balance."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/who-s-hot-and-cold-in-the-nhl-playoffs-sabres-need-more-fro-mp26yurc
published: 2026-05-11T23:06:44+00:00
updated: 2026-05-13T14:14:14.535+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["hockey"]
---

# NHL Playoffs: Who’s Hot and Who’s Buried in the Cold?

> Svechnikov and Zegras sizzle while Thompson and Dahlin freeze—playoff hopes hang in the balance.

The NHL playoffs are separating the sizzlers from the freezers.

Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes and Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks are torching opponents, delivering clutch goals and driving possession.

Svechnikov’s power-play dominance and Zegras’s creative playmaking have their teams surging.

On the flip side, Buffalo Sabres forwards Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are stuck in the coldest streaks of their careers.

Thompson, once a scoring machine, has gone silent at even strength, while Dahlin’s defensive lapses are costing Buffalo crucial games.

The Philadelphia Flyers, too, are feeling the chill as their top line fails to generate offense.

These hot-and-cold splits aren’t just stats—they’re survival signals.

When key forwards go ice-cold, franchises like Buffalo and Philadelphia face elimination threats fast.

The Sabres, in particular, need Thompson and Dahlin to thaw before their series slips away.

Meanwhile, Carolina and Anaheim are riding their young stars’ momentum into deeper rounds.

What’s next: Expect coaches to shuffle lines for cold performers, while hot hands like Svechnikov and Zegras will see increased ice time.

The Sabres’ fate hinges on Thompson finding his shot—or Buffalo’s playoff run ends early.

## Why this matters

Playoff streaks decide champions. When star forwards like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin go ice-cold, entire franchises face elimination. The Sabres and Flyers risk early exits if their top talent doesn't thaw. Conversely, hot performers like Andrei Svechnikov and Trevor Zegras can carry teams deep into the postseason. These temperature checks reveal which teams are built for a Cup run and which are one cold streak away from disaster.

## Frequently asked

### Who are the hottest NHL playoff performers right now?

Andrei Svechnikov (Hurricanes) and Trevor Zegras (Ducks) are red-hot, leading their teams with goals and playmaking.

### Which players are struggling the most in the playoffs?

Sabres forwards Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are ice-cold, with Thompson failing to score at even strength and Dahlin making defensive errors.

### How does a cold streak affect a team’s playoff chances?

Cold streaks from key forwards like Thompson can lead to elimination, as Buffalo and Philadelphia face pressure to generate offense quickly.

### What can teams do to fix cold performers?

Coaches may shuffle lines or reduce ice time for cold players, while hot players like Svechnikov get more shifts to exploit matchups.

## Sources & Citations

- [Who's Hot And Cold In The NHL Playoffs: Sabres Need More From Tuch](https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/whos-hot-and-cold-in-the-nhl-playoffs-sabres-need-more-from-tuch) — The Hockey News (2026-05-11)

---

Cite: NHL Playoffs: Who’s Hot and Who’s Buried in the Cold?. Sportopod, 2026-05-11. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/who-s-hot-and-cold-in-the-nhl-playoffs-sabres-need-more-fro-mp26yurc