Category: Hockey History 1917-2023

Florida victorious in Overtime

Florida 3 – New York 2 OT (Semifinals series tied 2-2)  The Panthers’ power play continues to click as they scored two power plays last night improving to 5 out of 15 with the man advantage this series, including Mr. Reinhart scoring Florida’s playoff overtime power play goal at 1:12 becoming the quickest in their history.

After scoring on the power play and taking the 1-0 lead after the first period and outshooting the Panthers 13-11, the Rangers struggled to find the net managing a meager five SOG for the second and third periods with no shots in overtime.

No one doubts the outstanding goaltending abilities of New York netminder Mr. Shesterkin as he absolutely shines during these playoffs, but Rangers’ forwards Panarin, Kreider, Goodrow, Wheeler (back from injury), and Wennberg combined took all of 2 SOG last night which is not good enough to win the series.

Tonight’s Matchup

Dallas versus Edmonton (Semifinals Stars 2-1)

Texas Hat Trick & Victory

Dallas 5 – Edmonton 3 en (Semifinals Stars 2-1)  Edmonton through their own admissions did not want this game bad enough. With statements, “we just let off the gas a little bit”, “they pushed and we didn’t”, and then their Head Coach saying, “we were just kind of hoping things would just continue sailing”.

After the Oilers built the dreaded “two-goal” lead, Dallas scored three goals in 3:33 minutes during the second period for the 3-2 lead but Edmonton scored their third goal of the game in the last minute of the second period to tie the game.

The Stars scored shortly before the midway point of the third period for the 4-3 lead and with approximately two minutes remaining in the game Dallas scored an empty netter for the win and series lead.

Mr. Robertson’s hat trick for the Stars was the first hat trick scored by a “Stars” player in the Semifinals since Mr. Ciccarelli in 1981.

Tonight’s Matchup

Florida versus New York (Semifinals Rangers 2-1)

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)