Category: Hockey History 1917-2023

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)

Empty nets, Goals Galore, and Fourth Line production

Rangers 4 – Capitals 1 (Series NYR 1-0) The Broadway Blueshirts have brought the show as their number one fan favorite Mr. Rempe scored and the Breadman scored 33 seconds later as New York took a strangle hold on the game in the second period.

The Rangers beat the Capitals statistically across the board and Mr. Ovechkin did not register a single shot on goal as New York’s impressive start could produce a sweep.

Panthers 3 – Lightning 2 en (Series Florida 1-0) Florida’s 50 goal scorer Mr. Reinhart opened the games scoring in a physical game with a combined 100 hits registered, both teams scored on the power play, but the Panthers won more faceoffs, and took more SOG leading to more goals scored.

Ironically Tampa Bay pulled their goaltender with over three minutes remaining had a goal scored into their empty net with just under three minutes then eventually put a power play tally into the Panther’s net for their second goal with only 10 seconds remaining in the game.

Canucks 4 – Predators 2 en (Series Vancouver 1-0) Only 10 SOG taken in the first period as Nashville scored with four minutes left in the opening frame for the 1-0 lead and when they took the 2-1 lead halfway through the second period Vancouver fans began to worry.

Concern fell by the wayside nine minutes into the third period as 24 years old Captain Hughes earns the primary assist when Vancouver ties the game at two apiece, 12 seconds later Captain Hughes again assists as the score is now 3-2 with 11 minutes remaining in the game.

Jets 7 – Avalanche 6 en (Series Winnipeg 1-0) A Baker’s dozen worth of goals on the board with six of them scored in the first period as the Jets and Avalanche participated in every goaltender’s nightmare, a wide open scoring affair.

Colorado launched 21 SOG and scored three times (including an empty net) in the third period but consequently Winnipeg took only six shots and also scored three times in the third period highlighting the Avalanche’s weakness and probable downfall this playoff season.

Monday Night Matchups

Toronto versus Boston                Dallas versus Nevada

New York versus Carolina          Los Angeles versus Edmonton