Jackson Blake is making his second Stanley Cup Playoffs appearance count in a big way. After getting a taste of postseason action last year, the 22-year-old forward has elevated his game for the Carolina Hurricanes, who are off to a perfect 6-0 start and hold a 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Blake has been a consistent offensive spark, tallying eight points in six games—including two assists in Monday night's thrilling 3-2 overtime win against the Flyers. His production has been remarkably steady, with at least one point in five of those six contests and a plus-6 rating that underscores his impact at both ends of the ice.
Playing on a dynamic line with center Logan Stankoven (seven points) and left wing Taylor Hall (nine points), Blake has cracked the top 10 in NHL playoff scoring. It's a remarkable leap for a player who posted six points in 17 playoff games as a rookie last season.
This surge isn't coming out of nowhere. In his second full NHL season, Blake put up 22 goals and 53 points in 81 games for the Hurricanes, who won the Metropolitan Division with 113 points. That's a significant jump from his rookie campaign of 17 goals and 34 points in 80 games.
Blake's father, Jason, played 871 NHL regular-season games over 13 seasons, but Jackson has already surpassed his dad's career playoff point total of 11. Selected by Carolina in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Blake honed his skills at the University of North Dakota, where he racked up 102 points in 79 games over two seasons and was a Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist in 2023-24.
In other NHL honors news, former UND standout Jake Sanderson has been named a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded annually since 1924 to the player who best combines sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and ability. The Ottawa Senators defenseman scored 14 goals and 54 points in 67 games this season while taking just four minor penalties—an impressive discipline record. He also led the Senators in blocked shots with 128 and helped Ottawa reach the playoffs for the second straight year. Sanderson, who also won Olympic gold with Team USA in 2026, is up against Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (a three-time winner, including last year) and Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield. No former UND player has ever won the Lady Byng Trophy.