A busy weekend saw a few series reach fever pitch, while the others descend into meh.
Only two NHL playoff games tonight — a Game 3 and a Game 4, because NHL scheduling is hard — but they should be good ones.
The Lightning will try to even things up in a Battle of Florida that has seen the road team take the first three games, then in the late game the Avalanche and Stars meet in a pivotal Game 5 of a tied series, just as Bossy intended.
Unfortunately, Sunday’s epic slate of games did not produce #maxchaos 2-2 ties in every series. The Blues eased past Winnipeg in the early game to tie that series 2-2, but then the Devils and Canadiens each lost 5-2 (ENG included) in the middle games, to fall behind in their series, 3-1. Neither of those results were a surprise, but still: disappointing.
In the late game, the Oilers redeemed things by erasing a 3-1 deficit — the first multi-goal lead overturned for a win in this postseason — by tying it in the final minute and blitzing the Kings in overtime until Darcy Kuemper finally broke. That series is now 2-2 and the Kings are at risk of falling to the other Gretzky team for a fourth year.
Some links follow on a bit of those contests, but first a wee bit of Islanders half-news:
- Jakub Skarek’s time in the org is probably over or should be, and there’s rumored interest from a team in Finland. [THN]
NHL Playoff News
- It’s not really his fault — there were deflections and screens and such — but Connor Hellebucyk’s playoff history is following him again after getting chased from both games in St. Louis. Whether he bounces back may define the series. [Sportsnet]
- Tom Wilson injured a guy with a check {Dog Bites Man} … and it might have been clean?! {Man Bites Dog} [Sportsnet]
- Rod Brind’Amour feels wronged {Dog Bites Man} … and it might be justified?! {Man Bites Dog}, as Frederik Andersen was knocked from the game after a reckless crease crash by Timo Meier. [ESPN]
- Matthew Tkachuk will not receive additional discipline for his five-minute major hit on Jake Guentzel. [ESPN]
- The Leafs failed to get the sweep but liked the way they played in Game 4 and think they’ll keep that up in Game 5. Can we see a fourth OT??? [TSN | NHL]
- Likewise, the Avalanche are hoping to keep their good vibes going as they try to pull ahead in their series. [NHL]