OVERTIME MADNESS!
Three games went to overtime. The other was a physical
battle that brought drama and a potentially costly suspension.
Here's a recap of last night's action and
what to watch for tonight.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT.
GAME 2: WASHINGTON
CAPITALS 4, CAROLINA
HURRICANES 3 (OT). Capitals lead 2-0. An
afternoon full of momentum swings concluded with Brooks Orpik netting
the overtime winner. Washington looked especially dominant to begin the game;
though they let the Canes crawl back in it. There were some positives for
Carolina: Goalie Petr Mrazek showed
resilience, overcoming a shaky start. Sebastian Aho scored
for the first time in a month. And when the Canes landed back in Carolina, they
were greeted by a group fans, who were lining the street to cheer them on.
North Carolina is ready for its first NHL playoff game in a decade.
GAME 2: NASHVILLE
PREDATORS 2, DALLAS STARS 1
(OT). SERIES IS TIED 1-1.It wasn't technically a game the Predators had to
have, but it sure felt like it -- especially after dropping three straight home
playoff games (dating back to last year's second round series against the Winnipeg Jets). Rocco
Grimaldi was a late add to the lineup and capitalized, scoring
his first career playoff goal. Tyler Seguin's
feed to Jamie Benn for
Dallas' lone goal was a beauty. Ben Bishop (40
saves) was awesome but my, oh my the Stars' power play could use some juice;
the Stars went 0-for-6 with the man advantage.
GAME 2: BOSTON BRUINS 4, TORONTO MAPLE
LEAFS 1. SERIES IS TIED 1-1.The Toronto Maple Leafs totally
outplayed the Boston Bruins in Game 1. For Game 2, it was the complete
opposite. Boston had a near-perfect first period. In fact, from the moment Rob
Gronkowski emphatically waved the
Bruins flag to rev up the crowd, this game never felt in doubt. The
Maple Leafs can feel good about stealing one game in Beantown, but now they're
shorthanded. Nazem Kadri is
likely out for a few games with a suspension for cross-checking Jake DeBrusk.
Mike Babcock says he'd likely play William
Nylander or Patrick
Marleau at third-line center if that comes to pass. Brad
Marchand scores in the first to put the Bruins up 2-0, then Patrice Bergeron's
power play goal in the third seals the deal at 4-1.
GAME 2: COLORADO
AVALANCHE 3, CALGARY
FLAMES 2 (OT). SERIES IS TIED, 1-1. Calgary was
a big favorite in this series, but Colorado stole a game in the opening set
thanks to timely goals by J.T. Compher and Nathan
MacKinnon. Calgary must feel encouraged by its goaltending. The
narrative for the Flames entering the playoffs? They're a complete team with a
firepower offense that might get undone by its uncertainty in net. So much for
that. Mike Smith is
playing like its 2012, allowing only three total goals in the first two games.
MY THREE STARS
1. CRAIG SMITH,
RW, NASHVILLE
PREDATORS. In a very important game for the
Predators -- they could not afford to lose both Games 1 and 2 at home -- Craig
Smith found himself in the right position at the right time and sealed it. He
gets bonus points for the sell:
2. NATHAN MACKINNON,
C, COLORADO
AVALANCHE. In 2017-18, MacKinnon willed the Avs to
the playoffs nearly all by himself. This season, the No. 1 center has gotten a
bit more help. But on Saturday night, the 23-year-old reminded us why he's
still the team MVP.
3. BROOKS ORPIK,
D, WASHINGTON
CAPITALS. The 38-year-old defenseman was bought out
last summer. His ice time was down nearly four minutes this season. He's scored
just 18 goals in his 1,000-plus regular season games. That makes Orpik a most
unlikely hero -- for everyone except the Caps. "Orpy is a secret
weapon," Alex Ovechkin said.
"Any time he's on the ice, when he takes a shot, it's always
WHAT'S ON THE
SCHEDULE
NEW YORK
ISLANDERS AT PITTSBURGH
PENGUINS, GAME 3, 12
P.M. ET. NEW YORK LEADS THE SERIES, 2-0.
Though it was goaltender by committee for most of the
season, the playoffs have belonged to Robin Lehner,
who has become a fan favorite because of his accessibility and humility (as
well as vulnerability, in being open about past substance abuse and struggles
with mental health). With a .948 save percentage and 1.93 goals-against average
through two starts, Lehner should get the nod in Game 3. The Penguins,
meanwhile, are frustrated. They expect more from their first line especially,
which has been stymied so far.
TAMPA BAY
LIGHTNING AT COLUMBUS BLUE
JACKETS, GAME 3, 7
P.M. ET. TAMPA BAY LEADS THE SERIES, 2-0.
The team that matched the regular season record for wins
(62) lost its first two games and now will be without the league's leading
scorer, Nikita
Kucherov, for Game 3. Not great, Bob. Perhaps Tampa Bay will
use Kucherov's suspension as a rallying point. Columbus is
clicking at the right time and getting a ton out of its rentals, notably Matt Duchene who
had a goal and three assists in Game 2. Token reminder that the Blue Jackets
were also up 2-0 on the Capitals in the first round last season. Washington
went on to win the series and, well, you know the rest.
WINNIPEG JETS AT ST. LOUIS
BLUES, GAME 3, 7:30
P.M. ET. ST. LOUIS LEADS THE SERIES, 2-0.
Something doesn't look quite right with Connor
Hellebuyck (.897 save percentage and 3.08 GAA through two
games) but the Jets are sticking with their goaltender as the series shifts to
St. Louis. But how about those Blues? Rookie goaltender Jordan
Binnington barely looks fazed. St. Louis' usual suspects,
like Ryan O'Reilly,
are showing up, but the Blues are also getting production from unlikely
sources, like Oskar
Sundqvist's two goals on Friday. St. Louis is excited for some
counterprogramming to Winnipeg's White Out. Get ready for blue rally towels.
SAN JOSE
SHARKS AT VEGAS GOLDEN
KNIGHTS, GAME 3, 10
P.M. ET. SERIES TIED, 1-1.
This series is getting testy -- and we're not just talking
about Logan Couture's choice quote after
Game 2. Goaltending has been shaky all season for the Sharks, and that was
exposed in Game 2 as Martin Jones was
yanked after allowing three goals on seven shots. The Sharks will go back to
Jones for Game 3. The Golden Knights took far too many penalties (11) but
shined on the penalty kill. Marc-Andre
Fleury looks locked in.
NEWS BULLETIN
Nazem Kadri has
been offered an in-person hearing with the Department of
Player Safety regarding his cross-check of Bruins winger Jake Debrusk. An
in-person hearing means the league has the ability to suspend Kadri for more
than five games.
This would be Kadri's second postseason suspension in as
many years; exactly a year ago (in a series against the Bruins) Kadri was
banned three games for boarding Tommy Wingels.
"It's up to the league to decide, to
be honest. I got no comment," Debrusk said after the game. "I did a
series of tests. I'm just hoping they come back negative. It's all kind of a
blur, to be honest. From what I remember, it was high. I felt it in my face."
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