Playoff Open Thread: June 1st
The Maple Leafs somehow managed to be stalled in the first round yet again while the Islanders needed extra time to even their series with Boston.
Yesterday’s Games
Montreal Canadiens 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 1 - MTL wins 4-3
The Toronto Maple Leafs managed to do what many thought was impossible for them to do... again. After going up three games to one in the fourth game of this series, all Toronto had to do was scrape out one win before Montreal could string together a three game streak. Unfortunately, two overtimes and three games later, we’re now looking at a Canadiens/Jets second round matchup. Brendan Gallagher kicked off the score with a squeaker through the legs of Jack Campbell while playoff veteran Corey Perry added to the lead in the second period. William Nylander would end up scoring his fifth goal in this seven game series but it wasn’t enough. Carey Price, as he has been the past three games, was rock solid, turning aside 30 of 31 shots. Since the Habs went down 3-1 in the series, Price stopped 103 of 109 shots for a cool 0.945 SV%. When Montreal needed him most, Price delivered.
New York Islanders 4, Boston Bruins 3 (OT) - Series tied 1-1
North of the border, almost all eyes were on game seven meanwhile south of the border, the Bruins and Islanders faced off with an opportunity for Boston to go up 2-0 in the second round series. Boston kicked off the scoring with a first period tally from Charlie Coyle but the Islanders came out flying in the second with three straight goals. Noted playoff star Jean Gabriel Pageau had a goal and an assist in the second frame, helping the Isles put big pressure on the Bruins to deliver in the third. Unfortunately for Islanders fans, the Bruins big players were up for the task. Captain Patrice Bergeron snuck one past Semyon Varlamov halfway through the period while Brad Marchand took a final bite out of the Islanders’ lead late in the game on the powerplay. Just five minutes into extra time, Casey Cizikas socred his first of the playoffs to even the series.
Tonight’s Game
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Tampa Bay Lightnings - TB leads 1-0
One of the most exciting series’ in this year’s playoffs gets it’s second game underway this evening. After a Tampa Bay win in game one, the Hurricanes will come out flying to ensure they don’t fall too far behind in their quest to get to the third round. For the Lightning, they’ll have to continue working to shut down Sebastian Aho, who currently leads the Hurricanes with five goals in seven games, while Carolina will have to work to solve Andrei Vasilevsky. The star Russian goaltender has a 0.936 SV% and 2.41 GAA through seven playoff games this year.
