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Hurricanes & Oilers are Road Warriors

Hurricanes 2 – Capitals 1 (OT) (Series 1-0 Carolina) Washington managed only 14 SOG (none in overtime) all evening relying solely on their goaltender and did not appear ready for the game.

The Capitals were forced into 32 blocked shots compared to 9 blocked shots by Carolina and the Hurricanes outshot the Capitals 32 -14 while dishing out 44 hits.

Oilers 4 – Knights 2 (Series 1-0 Edmonton) The Oilers spotted the home team the early first period 2-0 lead then with three and a half minutes remaining Oilers RW Perry recorded his third goal of the playoffs to make the score 2-1 to end the first period.

Edmonton outshot the Knights 12 – 1 in the second period but could not score then one minute into the third period Oilers center Draisaitl tied the game at two before Edmonton scores twice more in 72 seconds for the 4-2 lead with less than two minutes to play to earn the first win of the series.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUPS (SC QTR Finals)

Panthers vs Maple Leafs 7pm (Series 1-0 Toronto)

Stars vs Jets 9:30pm (Series Gm 1)

Core Four Shine

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER: Rick Dudley

Here along the Lake I would like to humble and sincerely express my appreciation to the hundreds of thousands of hockey fans that did or could have participated in the inaugural Tuesday Trivia.

The top two responders with the most correct answers were Oldfan and Anonymous followed closely by paper2021 and Challenger70.

The intent of Tuesday Trivia was to provide some small challenges to test the hockey data base of fans and to incentivize fans to do their own research and expand their hockey knowledge while making it fun at the same time, or at least that was my intention.

I look forward to stumping as many hockey fans next season as possible.

The contestants receiving a Vintage Hockey Card (VHC) with the adjoining Buffalo Winter original certificate of verification (COV) will be contacted by email for details.

Cup Champions Subdued

Maple Leafs 5 – Panthers 4 (Series 1-0 Toronto) Maple Leafs RW Nylander exploded offensively in the first period scoring just 33 seconds into the game to relieve some of the hyped-up pressure on Toronto to win and scored again with eight minutes remaining in the period for the 2-0 lead.

When Florida scored to cut the lead in half with four minutes left in the first period, RW Nylander responded by assisting on Toronto’s third goal 19 seconds later to restore Toronto’s two goal lead earning the 3-1 score going into the second period.

Even though the Panthers were able to come within one goal twice Toronto did not sit back and attempt to protect the lead, the Maple Leafs without taking advantage of their five power plays still scored five goals and held the lead all game.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUPS

Hurricanes vs Capitals 7pm (Series Gm 1)

Oilers vs Knights 9:30pm (Series Gm 1)

50th Game 7 in NHL playoff history

Jets 4 – Blues 3 (x2 OT) (Series 4-3 Winnipeg) The Jets scored twice in the last two minutes of the game with their goaltender pulled and tying the game by setting an NHL game seven record when Winnipeg scored with just three seconds remaining in the game.

Another 2-0 lead (by the losing team) evaporated in game seven of the opening round and the Jets without their scoring Center Scheifele and lingering doubts about goaltender Hellebuyck being able to back stop this team to the next round, squashed all doubts.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP FIRST GAME OF THE SECOND ROUND

Panthers vs Maple Leafs 8pm (Series 0-0)

The Anomaly that is RW Mikko Rantanen

Stars 4 – Avalanche 2 (en) (Series 4-3 Dallas) Last night’s opening round game seven was immensely entertaining, a close game where the visitors struck first shorthanded halfway through the second period and then again seconds into the third period to take the 2-0 lead.

And just when the home fans were about to lose hope their newest player in Dallas, RW Rantanen a former first round selection and 10-year veteran of the Avalanche, scores twice in six minutes to tie the game and with four minutes remaining assists on the go-ahead goal before scoring his hat trick with just three seconds remaining in the game.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Blues vs Jets 7pm (Series tied 3-3)