Author: Buffalo Winter

Islanders, Lightning, Bruins, and Stars Win

New York 3 – Carolina 2  2OT  (Series Hurricanes 3-1) Double overtime decision goes to the Islanders just 84 seconds into the second overtime frame as Mr. Barzal scored his second of the playoffs with the primary assist earned by Mr. Bortuzzo which was his first point since coming from the Blues in December.

New York goaltender Varlamov stopped 17 SOG during the first overtime period and 42 overall earning a .955 SV%, the Islanders won 14 consecutive faceoffs in the first period and won 24 out of the first 28 faceoffs of the game contributing immensely to the victory.

Tampa Bay 6 – Florida 3 (Series Panthers 3-1)  The Lightning scored three times during 6:53 minutes of the first period with one power play, one short handed, and one four-on-four during a 14-5 SOG deluge creating a 3-0 lead after the first period.

Florida took 15 shots in the second period and scored three times but only took 5 SOG during the first and third periods and failed to score again, and in a game where both goalies played a sub .900 SV% game, the most goals win.

Boston 3 – Toronto 1 (Series Bruins 3-1)  Awesome is ill, Mr. Nylander has migraines and the Maple Leafs cannot generate enough offense without their four core healthy even though they outshot, outhit, and won most faceoffs against the Bruins.

Boston goaltender Swayman was the surprise starter as the goalie rotation has ceased and Mr. Marchand leads the way offensively (3G, 5A) for the Bruins passing Cam Neely last night for all time Boston playoff goals with number 56.

Dallas 3 – Nevada 2 OT (Series Knights 2-1)  Knights HC Cassidy said his team did not have enough jump or urgency or play to a level required to win a playoff game, curious as each team has won on the road and not at home yet.

Stars netminder Oettinger earned a .941 SV% by stopping 32 of 34 shots while his teammates poured 33 SOG on Nevada’s goaltender over the first two periods in taking the lead before Mr. Johnston became the youngest Minnesota/Dallas player to score in a playoff overtime.

Tonight’s Matchups

Winnipeg versus Colorado (Series Avalanche 2-1)

Vancouver versus Nashville (Series Canucks 2-1)

New York versus Washington (Series Rangers 3-0)

Edmonton versus Los Angeles (Series Oilers 2-1)

Rangers, Canucks, Avalanche, and Oilers Victorious

New York 3 – Washington 1 (Series NYR 3-0)  The Capitals scored first and held the lead for 34 seconds before the Rangers tied the game and then took the lead 2-1 on a shorthanded goal two minutes after that.

After the second period New York was up 3-1 on just 15 SOG and the third period was all about the Rangers netminder Shesterkin who stopped the Capitals third period two power plays and 14 SOG barrage securing the win.

Vancouver 2 – Nashville 1 (Series Vancouver 2-1)  The Canucks scored on their first SOG 13:23 into the first period before Nashville took consecutive minor penalties which allowed for two more Vancouver shots on net compiling three for the initial period.

Nashville fared worse taking five SOG in the first period without scoring and scoreless with five power plays throughout the game and although they picked up the shooting with 25 SOG over the second and third periods the Predators could only get one past Mr. DeSmith.

Colorado 6 – Winnipeg 2 en (Series Colorado 2-1)  The Jets endeavored to score on the power play by pulling their goaltender down 5-2 with three minutes remaining in the game, unfortunately for Winnipeg the Avalanche scored.

Officially 27 seconds remaining and as time expired in a 6-2 game these teams combine for eight roughing and fighting penalties, hopefully the players can rein in their emotions to play less belligerently for an exciting and entertaining game four.

Edmonton 6 – Los Angeles 1 (Series Edmonton 2-1)  Over the course of nine minutes in the third period the gentlemen from both teams earned 19 penalties, 9 roughing, 2 fighting, 4 misconducts, 2 unsportsmanlike conducts, 1 illegal check to the head, and 1 slashing.

During the hockey game there were 68 SOG and seven goals scored, Mr. Kopitar participated in his 95^th playoff game for the Kings passing Lucky Luc Robitaille.

Tonight’s Matchups

Hurricanes versus Islanders (Series Carolina 3-0)

Panthers versus Lightning (Series Florida 3-0)

Bruins versus Maple Leafs (Series Boston 2-1)

Knights versus Stars (Series Nevada 2-0)

Hurricanes and Panthers take 3-0 Series Leads

Carolina 3 – New York 2 (Series Carolina 3-0)  HC Roy switched goaltenders a few minutes before the halfway point of the game when down 3-0 on 14 shots by the Hurricanes.

New York played well winning 60% of their faceoffs, out hit Carolina 40-22, killed two penalties, blocked over 20 shots while taking 31 SOG and although Mr. Sorokin let in three goals his relief Mr. Varlamov stopped everything, but Carolina’s netminder was the difference.

Florida 5 – Tampa Bay 3 en (Series Florida 3-0)  Each team’s goaltender played a sub .900 SV% in this high hitting game that produced a combined 149 hits, and with just over five minutes remaining a one goal game.

Tampa Bay’s HC Cooper issued this double dog dare to his team, “But the talk was we want the believers to show up at the rink tomorrow and if you’re not going to believe, you don’t have to come. So, we’ll see who shows up tomorrow.”

Tonight’s Matchups

Rangers versus Capitals (Series New York 2-0)

Canucks versus Predators (Series tied 1-1)

Jets versus Avalanche (Series tied 1-1)

Oilers versus Kings (Series tied 1-1)

Boston, Nevada, and Los Angeles are victorious

Boston 4 – Toronto 2 en (Series Boston 2-1)  Toronto has one of the best offenses in the NHL, unfortunately the Maple Leafs top guns allowed five power play opportunities to slip through their gloves last night affording the Bruins a tenuous series lead.

Nevada 3 – Dallas 1 en (Series Nevada 2-0)  Dallas led the game for 82 seconds as netminder Oettinger played well enough to win but the Stars offense put five shots on goal in the second period and again in the third, 10 SOG over two periods is not going to win a game or series.

Los Angeles 5 – Edmonton 4 OT (Series tied 1-1)  Statistically the Oilers beat the Kings in every category except goaltending as they took 26 SOG over the first two periods to tie the game, then each team scored again in the third before the Kings won on their first shot in overtime.

Tonight’s Matchups

Florida versus Tampa Bay (Series Panthers 2-0)

Carolina versus New York (Series Hurricanes 2-0)

New York, Florida, Nashville, and Colorado Win

New York 4 – Washington 3 (Series NYR 2-0) Rangers defenseman Miller scored shorthanded to give New York a two goal lead towards the end of the second period contributing to the offense for the victory.

Washington played well in the beginning of the first two periods with Mr. Ovechkin registering his only shot, unfortunately along with porous goaltending implying disaster looms for Capitals fans this series if things do not change quickly.

Florida 3 – Tampa Bay 2 OT  (Series Florida 2-0) Florida took 13 shots in the first period and scored twice, Tampa Bay took 15 shots in the second period and scored twice, and no one scored in the third period.

Overtime lasted three minutes as the Panthers Mr. Verhaeghe scored a beautiful backhander and Florida takes the 2-0 lead in the battle for state supremacy.

Nashville 4 – Vancouver 1 (Series tied 1-1) The Predators on average scored every four shots on goal and the Canucks could only get 18 shots to the net.

Nashville blocked 30 shots in a herculean defensive effort that allowed Predators goaltender Saros to earn a .944 SV% highlighted by an incredible pad save.

Colorado 5 – Winnipeg 2 (Series tied 1-1) The Avalanche threw 15 shots on net in the first period and did not score then they took 14 shots on goal in the second period and scored four times, along with their empty netter accounting for all five goals.

The Jets could only score twice over the first two periods resulting from 22 shots on goal, but Colorado’s goaltender played his best game to date in shutting down Winnipeg’s offense.

Tonight’s matchups

Toronto vs Boston (Series tied 1-1)

Dallas vs Nevada (Knights 1-0)

Los Angeles vs Edmonton (Oilers 1-0)