Author: Buffalo Winter

Stars implode in the third period

Oilers 6 – Stars 1 (SC SF 2-1 Edmonton) Surprisingly the best goaltender of this series is the Oilers Skinner and not the Stars Oettinger as evidenced by Dallas launching 21 SOG in the second period and only scoring once.

The Stars were never really close in this game, although they came within one goal for four minutes before the Oilers Captain McDavid scored his second of the night to regain the two-goal lead towards the end of the second period, Edmonton would score three times on only 6 SOG in the third period for the 6-1 win and series lead.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Hurricanes vs Panthers 8pm (SC SF 3-1 Florida)

Panthers Overpower & Overrun Hurricanes in Third Period

Panthers 6 – Hurricanes 2 (SC SF 3-0 Florida) The Panthers scored five times in the first half of the third period to take a devastating 6-1 lead before Carolina could compose themselves to score once more on the power play for the 6-2 final score.

The defending Cup champions are one win away from returning to the Stanley Cup Finals and it almost seems like a foregone conclusion as the Hurricanes are about to choke in the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive time.

TODAY’S MATCHUP

Stars vs Oilers 3pm (SC SF tied 1-1)

Oilers Shutout Earns Series Split

Oilers 3 – Stars 0 (SC SF tied 1-1) Oilers’ goaltender Skinner earned his third shutout of the postseason tying the Edmonton franchise record set in 1998 for most shutouts in a single playoff season.

Edmonton had five power plays compared to two for Dallas and the Oilers out hit the Stars 50 to 29, the Stars won most of the faceoffs and took as many shots on goal as the Oilers, but Dallas could not beat goaltender Skinner and now have to win on the road to advance to the Finals.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Hurricanes vs Panthers 8pm (SC SF 2-0 Florida)

Panthers Shut down & Shut out Hurricanes

Panthers 5 – Hurricanes 0 (SC SF 2-0 Florida) The Carolina Hurricanes are in the midst of a reoccurring nightmare, literally in the middle of yet another third-round sweep for the fourth consecutive time.

Carolina took only three shots in the first period, then just four shots in the second period for a total of 7 SOG after two periods of play while allowing four goals on 16 shots from Florida.

The Hurricanes began pressuring in the third period with 10 SOG and two power plays which were whistled during the first half of the period in their favor, unfortunately for the home fans Carolina did not score.

And even when Carolina did score, they did not score, with their only offense negated by a Coach’s Challenge highlighting the Hurricanes were offsides.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Oilers vs Stars 8pm (SC SF 1-0 Dallas)

Dallas defeats invading Edmonton

Stars 6 – Edmonton 3 (en) (SC SF 1-0 Dallas) An unbelievable third period as the Stars rip the Oilers for five goals in the period beginning with three consecutive power plays.

After the Oilers took the 3-1 lead heading into the third period it appeared the game was in the bag for the visitors, and in less than six minutes to start the period the Stars took the 4-3 lead, eventually scoring twice more in 43 seconds that included the empty netter.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Panthers vs Hurricanes 8pm (SC SF 1-0 Florida)