Month: May 2024

Carolina and Dallas Win

Carolina 4 – New York 3 (Quarter Finals Rangers 3-1)  The Hurricanes scored their first power play goal (1-16) of the post season late in the third period and it could not have come at a better time as it became the game winner and Carolina lives to fight another day.

The one statistic that glaringly stands out is giveaways, New York gave away the puck 22 times compared to Carolina doing it only once for the entire game as the Hurricanes scored the only power play of the game to take the lead and win avoiding the sweep.

Dallas 4 – Colorado 1 (Quarter Finals Stars 2-1)  Dallas scored the only goal in the first period as well as earning one unsportsmanlike conduct as they went on to score again in the second and two more goals in the third period for the road victory.

Stars goaltender Oettinger was the difference in this game posting a .966 SV% while stopping two shorthanded, and two power play shots on goal that halted the Avalanche’s string of playoff games with three or more goals scored.

Tonight’s Matchups

Florida versus Boston (Quarter Finals Panthers 2-1)

Vancouver versus Edmonton (Quarter Finals tied 1-1)

Florida and Edmonton Victorious

Florida 6 – Boston 2 en (Quarter Finals Panthers 2-1)  Blessed with a questionable double minor power play Florida took full advantage and scored twice in 60 seconds during the last five minutes of the second period for the 3-0 lead heading into the final frame.

Boston’s lack of success in getting shots to the net is highlighted by the eight SOG they earned over the first two periods before scoring twice on nine SOG during the third period, and now with Captain Marchand injured Bean Town’s playoff future is Bleak.

Edmonton 4 – Vancouver 3 OT (Quarter Finals tied 1-1)  Three times the Canucks scored to take the lead and the Oilers would bounce back scoring sometimes in minutes or just seconds to tie the game, and it was Edmonton who scored first in overtime.

Each team scored on one of their three power plays and faceoffs were about even, where the discrepancy lay was the SOG where Vancouver was able to get only two shots on net during the third period.

Tonight’s Matchups

New York versus Carolina (Quarter Finals Rangers 3-0)

Dallas versus Colorado (Quarter Finals tied 1-1)

New York and Dallas Win

New York 3 – Carolina 2 OT (Quarter Finals Rangers 3-0)  The Rangers have pushed the Hurricanes to the brink of elimination even after Carolina changed up their starting goaltender and took 20 SOG in the second period as they were tied by a New York shorthanded Mr. Kreider backhand.

In the third period Carolina pulled the goaltender and tied the game at 2-2 with 96 remaining with one of the Hurricanes’ net presence players holding a broken stick, for the game Carolina won over 60% of faceoffs but 0-5 on the power play and 0-15 for the series.

Each team took one SOG during overtime but it was the Breadman who scored a beauty between his legs for New York and the Rangers take a formidable three game lead.

Dallas 5 – Colorado 3 en (Quarter Finals tied 1-1)  Dallas scored four straight goals with the last one shorthanded to take a 4-0 lead heading into the third period.

Then Colorado comes back with three consecutive scores in the third period the last one with the netminder pulled to get within one of Dallas, but with 21 seconds remaining the Stars score one from the length of the ice into the empty net for the 5-3 win.

Tonight’s Matchups

Boston versus Florida (Quarter Finals tied 1-1)

Edmonton versus Vancouver (Quarter Finals Canucks 1-0)

Vancouver and Florida Win Convincingly

Florida 6 – Boston 1 (Quarter Finals tied 1-1)  After the first period and being down by one goal and one game in this series Florida’s offense came alive in a big way as team records were set when a half a dozen Panthers’ goals were scored.

New Florida Panthers record for most consecutive goals in the playoffs (6), and Mr. Reinhart’s four assists sets a new team playoffs standard as well.

Unfortunately Boston felt it necessary to “goon it up” after Florida scored to make it a 5-1 game with nine minutes remaining in the game, 12 Misconducts, one fight, roughing, and cross-checking could not deter the Panthers as they scored again, shorthanded for the 6-1 victory.

Vancouver 5 – Edmonton 4 (Quarter Finals Canucks 1-0)  With seven minutes remaining in the second period Edmonton had built a 4-1 lead with only 14 SOG, then did not get another shot through on net until there were 40 seconds left in the third period.

The Canucks scored with three minutes left in the second period to cut the deficit in half then near the halfway point of the third period Vancouver scored three times in just under five minutes to take the 5-4 lead.

All third period Vancouver kept every shot attempt by the Oilers away from their goaltender except for three maybe four SOG counted with the first SOG registered at 40 seconds, the second SOG at 10 seconds, and NHL adjusted credit for two more as time ran out.

Tonight’s Matchups

New York versus Carolina (Quarter Finals Rangers 2-0)

Colorado versus Dallas (Quarter Finals Avalanche 1-0)

New York and Colorado Win

New York 4 – Carolina 3 2OT (Quarter Finals NYR 2-0)  The Rangers won game two at home in double overtime on what many consider a “soft” backchecking penalty called on the Hurricanes which led to the winning goal for New York.

New York scored first then Carolina tied and took the lead six seconds before the first period ended, both teams scored once in the second period, and with six minutes remaining in the game the Rangers forced overtime by scoring their third goal of the game.

Carolina could not score on five power play opportunities and their goaltender slipped to a .897 SV%, they took 42 SOG in regulation, out blocked, and won most of the faceoffs which unfortunately for the Hurricanes was not enough to win game two.

Colorado 4 – Dallas 3 OT (Quarter Finals Avalanche 1-0)  Dallas held a 3-0 lead on the strength of a 5 on 3 power play and limiting Colorado to 5 SOG during the first period.

Two Stars penalties assessed in the second period afforded the Avalanche an opportunity they took advantage of by scoring two power play goals to get within one goal to start the third period.

Colorado’s Big Mac MacKinnon scored just 39 seconds into the third period and the game remained deadlocked at three forcing overtime as the Avalanche scored their fourth of the night to win nine minutes into the extra frame to take the early series lead.

Tonight’s Matchups

Boston versus Florida (Quarter Finals Bruins 1-0)

Edmonton versus Vancouver (Quarter Finals Game One)