Edmonton 4 – Los Angeles 3 en (Series Oilers 4-1) For the third consecutive season the Oilers advance to the second round courtesy of the Kings as Edmonton’s Misters Draisaitl, McDavid, and Bouchard took over the scoring in the second period.
Caught but over the line
Edmonton built a 4-2 lead after two periods of play and although the Kings played physical took only 5 then 6 SOG in two periods towards the Oilers .857 SV% goaltender which was not enough to generate goals to offset Edmonton’s offense.
First Home Team Win of Series
Dallas 3 – Nevada 2 (Series Stars 3-2) Hot Oettinger stopped 18 SOG over the second and third periods to preserve the Stars one goal lead as Dallas came with constant fore/back checking allowing no space for any Nevada player to create any offense.
Toronto, Nashville, Carolina, & Colorado win game 5
Toronto 2 – Boston 1 OT (Series Bruins 3-2) In an exciting up and down the ice game the Maple Leafs were pressuring and goaltender Woll was spectacular all night long allowing just one puck to get past him.
The Maple Leafs played without Awesome Matthews since the third period of the game prior, so Toronto poured on the shots outshooting Boston 12-2 in the first period and 22-12 after two periods and Bruins goaltender Swayman kept Boston in this game.
A great goaltender is fine but you have to score and Boston could not and Toronto scored quickly in OT and the Maple Leafs now have the momentum and home ice for game six looking to tie the series.
Carolina 6 – New York 3 en (Series Hurricanes 4-1) In the first period Carolina took 21 SOG, scored even strength, on the power play, and with a penalty shot for three goals while New York took four shots scoring once on the power play amassing the period’s 3-1 score.
In the second period the Islanders scored twice to tie the game at three but the Hurricanes scored twice in eight seconds before the third period was five minutes old for the 5-3 score, the eventual empty netter, the game, and the series.
Colorado 6 – Winnipeg 3 en (Series Avalanche 4-1) Winnipeg looked good early scoring first and eventually tying the game 3-3 early in the third period but could not overcome the two goals scored in just four minutes before the third period was half over by Colorado taking the 5-3 lead.
The eventual empty netter sealing the Jets fate with two seconds remaining as the Avalanche move on by scoring 5 or 6 goals every game this series and Winnipeg could only muster one game with an offensive output of more than three goals.
Nashville 2 – Vancouver 1 (Series Canucks 3-2) Both teams scored their first goal of the game within four minutes of each other during the first half of the third period and the Predators Mr. Carrier scores the game winner with a slap shot seven minutes left in the game.
One more game of scoring only one goal and Vancouver will not be able to stop Nashville from tying this series Friday night.
Florida 6 – Tampa Bay 1 (2en) (Series Panthers 4-1) Panthers convincingly beat the Lightning at home to advance to the Stanley Cup Quarter Finals or the Conference Semi-Finals if you prefer.
HC Cooper could not congratulate his opponent but complained about casual fans this morning will think a 6-1 score is a blow-out which to him is not the case and that things did not go their way as he talked about his team’s success over the years.
Both teams combined for 35 SOG in the second period with Florida launching 23 and scoring twice with Tampa Bay notching their lone score in a game where the Lightning interfered with the goaltender twice resulting in two disallowed goals.
Dallas 4 – Nevada 2 en (Series tied 2-2) Each team curiously have won both their road games and lost twice at home, pivotal game five is anyone’s guess as to host or visitor coming out on top?
With 83 seconds remaining in the second period Stars Mr. Dellandrea scored his first of the playoffs to provide Dallas with the one goal lead 3-2 heading into the third period where Stars goaltender Oettinger stopped all 14 SOG the Knights threw at him.
Colorado, Vancouver, New York, and Edmonton Triumph
We have a good goal
Colorado 5 – Winnipeg 1 (Series Avalanche 3-1) Jets HC Bowness explained Winnipeg’s loss was caused by issues that were self-inflicted, taking penalties and turning the puck over that led to getting out shot 30-16 and out-scored 4-1 over the first two periods.
The Avalanche took 17 SOG in the second period, scored three times while their goaltender Georgiev earned a .963 SV% by allowing just one puck to get past him all game, and Mr. Nichushkin took five shots that produced a hat trick earning Colorado the win.
Canucks Surprising Victory
Vancouver 4 – Nashville 3 (2 en) OT (Series Canucks 3-1) Huge lesson learned, never give up, just as the Predators were about to decisively beat the Canucks with an empty netter, disaster struck as a Nashville Center missed the gapping net and hit the post with 1:50 remaining.
During this mishap Vancouver’s Mr. Boeser had scored twice (6 on 5) in less than three minutes remaining to complete his hat trick with eight seconds left putting Nashville fans into complete shock and silence as the Canucks go on to win the game 62 seconds into overtime.
Hockey Tradition Par Excellence
New York 4 – Washington 2 en (Series Rangers 4-0) New York completed the sweep just as everyone thought they would against a team even Mr. Messier commentating for network coverage said the Capitals did not deserve to be in the playoffs.
It was cringe worthy having to watch Mr. Ovechkin in decline and goon wilson chasing Rangers Mr. Kempe around cross checking him, talking smack, and doing everything possible to engage in fisticuffs, why this person is not banned from the NHL is curious.
No Goal All Game
Edmonton 1 – Los Angeles 0 (Series Oilers 3-1) The Oilers scored on their lone power play in the second period as well as taking 6 SOG as Edmonton one of the most offensive minded teams in the NHL could only muster 13 SOG for the game while their goaltender saved the game earning a shutout.
Los Angeles can take solace going into game five that Edmonton’s goaltender is mercurial at best and unlikely will reproduce another stunning shutout.
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.
State Rivalry
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.
Mr. Marner scores
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.
Road team wins again
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.
Here along the Lake 