Boston 2 – Toronto 1 OT (Series Bruins 4-3) Heartbreakingly it was health that was the biggest villain in Toronto’s recent playoffs exit, the core four at their best is what the Maple Leafs require to advance, unfortunately injury and illness is something every team can suffer through.
Gentlemen shake hands
They played with vigor and heart and there was goaltending as the Maple Leafs pressured and took the play to the Bruins who are in possession of one outstanding goaltender who literally carried them astonishingly to the Stanley Cup Quarter Finals.
Tonight’s Matchups
New York versus Carolina (Quarter Finals Game One)
Vancouver 1 – Nashville 0 (Series Canucks 4-2) The Canucks advance in part to their rookie third-string goaltender Mr. Silovs who earned a shutout in only his third career playoff start after starting nine regular season games this year.
Predators’ goaltender Saros allowed just one puck to get past him all night but Nashville could not take advantage of Vancouver’s double-minor penalty highlighting the Predators need for consistent special team power play production.
Nevada 2 – Dallas 0 en (Series tied 3-3) Dallas came up short in eliminating their desperate hosts in a game the Nevada HC Cassidy said was not a “snooze-fest” because of the 0-0 third period score where the goaltenders were the dominant players of the game.
The Stars are in alignment for Dallas to win and advance as they host game seven of this opening round Sunday night.
Toronto 2 – Boston 1 (Series tied 3-3) Mr. Nylander provided the offense and goaltender Woll the Wall stymied the Bruins and the entire Maple Leafs team fore/back checked and killed off three penalties in route to another convincing win.
Similar to last season’s opening round the Bruins again find themselves in an opening round game seven at home after relinquishing a 3-1 series lead, truly last season has nothing to do with tomorrow night’s game but arguably there could be some confidence issues.
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.
Buffalo Winter 