The latest version of Connor Hellebuyck certainly resembles the goalie that was so dominant in the regular season for Winnipeg. Now he has to go on the road again in the NHL playoffs against Dallas.
Florida is back in its series against Toronto, avoiding the dreaded 3-0 deficit thanks to Sergei Bobrovsky's eight saves in overtime before Brad Marchand's game-winning goal.
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Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) sits on the bench for an extra attacker against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, May 9, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) deflects a shot ny Toronto Maple Leafs center Steven Lorentz (18) during the third period in Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) celebrates after Brad Marchand (63) scored the winning goal in overtime in Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) celebrates after an empty-net goal by Nikolaj Ehlers on the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, May 9, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Dallas Stars' Mason Marchment (27) dumps Jets' Josh Morrissey (44) during the first period of Game 2 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, May 9, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Presidents' Trophy-winning Winnipeg and reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida resume their respective second-round series Sunday. The Jets and Stars are even switching to Dallas for Game 3, while the Panthers are home again for Game 4 against the Maple Leafs.
Hellebuyck is the odds-on favorite to win his third Vezina Trophy as the league's best goalie, and also among three finalists for the Hart Trophy that goes to the MVP of the NHL regular season. But he is 0-3 on the road this postseason, with a .758 save percentage and a 7.24 goals-against-average while not finishing any of the three games at St. Louis in the first round.
Since those road losses, Hellebuyck won Game 7 in overtime against the Blues and split the first two games against Dallas. The Stars got only Mikko Rantanen's natural hat trick in the second period of their 3-2 win in the series opener, then Hellebuyck had a 21-save shutout in Game 2 late Friday night.
“There were stretches in the first round where I really liked my game, just wasn’t in the results. But, built it back better. I like where we’re at,” said Hellebuyck, who had a 25-save shutout at Dallas the final week of the regular season. "The team in front of me is playing phenomenal, so, we’re going to have fun. Just continue to have fun.”
There’s still a hill to climb for the Panthers after their 5-4 win in Game 3 — and they will have to win at least one game in Toronto to advance — but there’s new life in Sunrise going into Game 4.
“The context changes up until the puck dropping (Sunday),” Florida coach Paul Maurice said. “The eight teams that are left are all legitimate teams. They can all win.”
When/Where to Watch: Game 3, Sunday, 4:30 p.m. EDT (TBS/truTV/Max)
Series: Tied 1-1.
The Stars took over home-ice advantage when finally winning a Game 1 in their eight postseason series with coach Pete DeBoer over the past three seasons. They never really gave themselves a chance in Game 2, when Tyler Sequin's double-minor penalty only 17 seconds in set up the Jets for fast 1-0 lead that they doubled 3 1/2 minutes later.
“They score on the power play and then one goes off our own skate into the net, and you’re down 2-0. ... That’s a big hole in this rink. Self-inflicted. The one was kind of unlucky," DeBoer said after Game 2.
Dallas in its last home game overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period of Game 7 against Colorado, when Rantanen had a hat trick as part of a four-point third period against his former team. He had only one shot on goal in Game 2 at Winnipeg, when Stars defensemen accounted for 10 of their 21 shots.
“We’re a resilient group and we have a lot of confidence in our game," Stars center Wyatt Johnston said.
When/Where to Watch: Game 4, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. EDT (TBS/truTV/Max)
Series: Toronto leads 2-1.
Toronto has scored four or more goals in each of its last four playoff games, one of three such streaks in Maple Leafs postseason history and the first time that’s happened since 1999. They’re also the first team to have such a run in this year’s playoffs.
Scoring isn’t the problem. The issue is whether Florida has found its scoring groove as well.
The Panthers are now 21-0-0 this season — and winners of 52 consecutive games since 2023, including playoffs — when scoring at least five goals. And they needed all five on Friday, with Marchand’s OT winner cutting Toronto's series lead to 2-1.
“It’s a battle,” said Toronto’s John Tavares, who had two goals in Game 3. “Excited about the opportunity that we have on Sunday. We’re right there, so just keep going. We know we can be better in a lot of areas.”
Goaltenders have taken some hits in this series.
The Leafs said Saturday that Anthony Stolarz, who left Game 1, is progressing but has not resumed skating — indicating that Joseph Woll makes his third consecutive start on Sunday. Woll has allowed 11 goals on 84 shots, an .869 save percentage. Bobrovsky has allowed 13 goals on 81 shots, an .840 save percentage.
AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Sunrise, Florida, contributed to this report.
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) sits on the bench for an extra attacker against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, May 9, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) deflects a shot ny Toronto Maple Leafs center Steven Lorentz (18) during the third period in Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) celebrates after Brad Marchand (63) scored the winning goal in overtime in Game 3 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) celebrates after an empty-net goal by Nikolaj Ehlers on the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, May 9, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a save as Dallas Stars' Mason Marchment (27) dumps Jets' Josh Morrissey (44) during the first period of Game 2 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, May 9, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP)
U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as a crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths.
Trump said late Sunday his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act before then as reports of deaths mount and the government continues to arrest protesters.
“Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
Iran did not acknowledge Trump’s comments immediately. It has previously warned the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran, said at least 572 people have been killed, including 503 protesters and 69 members of security forces. It said more than 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests. The group relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information.
With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.
The Latest:
A senior Turkish official voiced opposition to foreign interventions in Iran, warning that such actions could worsen the country’s crisis.
Omer Celik, spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, acknowledged on Monday that Iran faces internal challenges but stressed they must be resolved through “its own dynamics and the will of the state.”
“We would never wish for any chaos to emerge in our neighbor Iran,” Celik said, adding that outside interference would only produce “worse outcomes.”
He cautioned that regional instability could escalate further if external involvement is driven by what he described as “Israeli provocations.”
Video circulating online purports to show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Iran’s capital.
People with knowledge of the facility and the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said Monday that the video shows the Kahrizak Forensic Medicine Center.
People are seen walking by bodies in body bags laid out in a large room, attempting to identify them. Another video, widely shared by activists, purportedly shows people gathered around a television monitor at the morgue, looking at images of corpses’ faces. Outside, people can be heard wailing in grief. The footage matches other images of the facility online.
—- By Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem
A witness told the AP that the streets of Tehran empty at the sunset call to prayers each night.
Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: “Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers.”
Another text, addressed “Dear parents,” which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations.
The witness spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown.
—- By Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Iran drew tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to the streets Monday in a show of power after nationwide protests challenging the country’s theocracy.
Iranian state television showed images of demonstrators thronging Tehran toward Enghelab Square in the capital.
It called the demonstration an “Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism,” without addressing the underlying anger in the country over the nation’s ailing economy. That sparked the protests over two weeks ago.
State television aired images of such demonstrations around the country, trying to signal it had overcome the protests, as claimed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier in the day.
China says it opposes the use of force in international relations and expressed hope the Iranian government and people are “able to overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that Beijing “always opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs, maintains that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned “in the strongest terms the violence that the leadership in Iran is directing against its own people.”
He said it was a sign of weakness rather than strength, adding that “this violence must end.”
Merz said during a visit to India that the demonstrators deserve “the greatest respect” for the courage with which “they are resisting the disproportional, brutal violence of Iranian security forces.”
He said: “I call on the Iranian leadership to protect its population rather than threatening it.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday suggested that a channel remained open with the United States.
Esmail Baghaei made the comment during a news conference in Tehran.
“It is open and whenever needed, through that channel, the necessary messages are exchanged,” he said.
However, Baghaei said such talks needed to be “based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation.”
The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran, which is close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on Monday began calling out Iranian celebrities and leaders on social media who have expressed support for the protests over the past two weeks, especially before the internet was shut down.
The threat comes as writers and other cultural leaders were targeted even before protests. The news agency highlighted specific celebrities who posted in solidarity with the protesters and scolded them for not condemning vandalism and destruction to public property or the deaths of security forces killed during clashes. The news agency accused those celebrities and leaders of inciting riots by expressing their support.
Canada said it “stands with the brave people of Iran” in a statement on social media that strongly condemned the killing of protesters during widespread protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks.
“The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens,” Canada’s government said on Monday.
Iran’s foreign minister claimed Monday that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.
Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim.
Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.
Iran’s foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene.
Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists -- the vast majority coming from demonstrators.
Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.
Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London.
Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about “certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism.” The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBC’s Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran.
A huge crowd of demonstrators, some waving the flag of Iran, gathered Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian government. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by early evening only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported.
Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.
Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with the demonstrators, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver. A police statement said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt.
The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained “pending further investigation,” police said in a statement Sunday evening.
Shiite Muslims hold placards and chant slogans during a protest against the U.S. and show solidarity with Iran in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Activists carrying a photograph of Reza Pahlavi take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Activists take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Protesters burn the Iranian national flag during a rally in support of the nationwide mass demonstrations in Iran against the government in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
