Author: Buffalo Winter

New York escapes with win

New York 5 – Florida 4 OT (Semifinals Rangers 2-1)  When one lucky deflection can win you a game as highlighted by the Rangers’ good fortune last night as they blew a two goal lead in the third period and came out on top in overtime.

Florida goaltender Bobrovsky uncharacteristically allowed a shorthanded score and .783 SV% for the night allowing New York to recover from losing their two goal lead and have the opportunity in overtime.  

Tonight’s Matchup

Dallas versus Edmonton (Semifinals tied 1-1)

Dallas Ensures Victory with Empty Netter

Dallas 3 – Edmonton 2 en (Semifinals tied 1-1)  Dallas scored on their first shot then Edmonton scored 44 seconds later as the Oilers came on strong initially with their 16 SOG during the first period then faded away as the game wore on, 8 SOG for the second period and finally 5 SOG in the third period.

Dallas wins game two at home to earn the split and although Edmonton will not let the Stars score on the power play the Oilers are going to have to get more shots on Dallas netminder Hot Oettinger if they expect to win at least one game at home.

Tonight’s Matchup

Florida versus New York (Semifinals tied 1-1) 3pm start this Sunday afternoon

New York victorious in second home game

New York 2 – Florida 1 2OT (Semifinals tied 1-1) The Rangers are in trouble after winning only one of their two home games while scoring once in seven periods of playoff hockey while unable to score on six power plays but the heroics of netminder Shesterkin is why this series is tied.

Florida played their usual mauling and suffocating game, scoring on the power play, and goaltender Bobrovsky allowing just two New York shots to get past him over two games earning the split to return home 1-1 with the opportunity to take a strangle hold on this series.

Tonight’s Matchup

Dallas versus Edmonton (Semifinals Oilers 1-0)

Edmonton victorious in 2OT

Edmonton 3 – Dallas 2 2OT (Semifinals Oilers 1-0)  The Dallas Stars hosted game one of the Stanley Cup Semifinals and were defeated 32 seconds into the second overtime which came to be partly because of not scoring on five power play opportunities during regulation.

The Edmonton Oilers took to the road and beat the Conference champs with a fortunate deflection in double overtime after the shot counter generously gave Edmonton three SOG during the first period, then they took 14 SOG in the second period to take the 2-0 lead.

Tonight’s Matchup

Florida versus New York (Semifinals Panthers 1-0)

Florida Wins Game One

Panthers 3 – Rangers 0 en (Semifinals Florida 1-0)  A disallowed goal, shutout, empty net, and the Rangers scoring on themselves all contributed to Florida winning 3-0 on the road to begin the series.

The Panthers seemed to be in the Rangers zone most of the game, Florida netminder Brick Wall Bobrovsky stopped New York four times during two Rangers’ power plays and all 19 even strength shots that New York threw at him.

The unprepared Rangers took only five SOG during the first period falling behind 1-0 and the much anticipated return of Mr. Chytil who took no shots, blocked nothing and hit no one while earning no offensive points in just over nine minutes of playing time did not help either.

New York needs to develop a better system of applying pressure (forecheck) and generating more SOG or Mr. Bobrovsky, Captain Barkov and their fellow Panthers will maul and suffocate the Rangers into submission and win the series in a sweep.

Tonight’s Matchup

Dallas versus Edmonton (Semifinals 0-0)