NHL Game Reviews May 23

 Nashville 4 Carolina 3 Final/2OT

Nashville was able to beat Carolina in Nashville in double overtime for a second consecutive game and now go to Carolina with the series tied 2-2. Luke Kunin had two goals including the overtime winner (1 and 2), Mikael Granlund and Mattias Ekholm each had two assists, while Nick Cousins (1) and Ryan Johansen (2) also scored for the Predators. Jusse Saros made 58 saves in the win. The Predators were 1/2 on the power play (Cousins had the PPG), and also had 32 hits and 43 shots. The only lineup change was for Nashville as Mathieu Oliver replaces Tanner Jeannot. Brock McGinn scored twice (1 and 2), Jordan Martinook had two assists, while Vincent Trocheck (2) also scored for the Hurricanes. Alex Nedeljkovic made 39 saves in the loss. The Hurricanes were 0/4 on the power play, and also had 33 hits and 61 shots. My thoughts: I thought for sure that Carolina could easily get past Nashville but it will be harder than I thought but the good news is Nashville has yet to beat Carolina in regulation. Best of seven series tied 2-2, Game 5 Tuesday at 5:00.




Colorado 5 St.Louis 2 Final 

Colorado was able to end the series thanks to a outstanding performance by Philipp Grubauer and the top line and are moving to the second round. Mikko Rantanen (1), Gabriel Landeskog (2), and Nathan Mackinnon (6) each had a goal and assist, while Brandon Saad (3) and Valeri Nichushkin (1) also scored for the Avalanche. Both Mikko Rantanen (1G-11A-12P) and Gabriel Landeskog (3G-8A-11P) each have a six game point streak. Philipp Grubauer made 18 saves in the win. The Avalanche were 3/3 on the power play Mackinnon and Nichushkin each had a PPG EN while Brandon Saad also had a PPG), and also had 11 hits and 34 shots. The only lineup change was for St.Louis as Jake Walman replaced Mitch Reinke. Vladimir Tarasenko had both goals (1 and 2), while Ryan O’Reilly had two assists for St.Louis. Jordan Binnington made 29 saves in the loss. The Blues were 1/2 on the power play (Tarasenko’s second was the power play goal), and also had 20 hits and 20 shots. My thoughts: Colorado winning in a sweep is not surprising but at the time I made my prediction I expected St.Louis to win one game but that was before Perron was placed on COVID list so it makes sense why they swept. Colorado sweeps series 4-0. 

Mr Prediction: Colorado 4-1

Actually Happened Colorado 4-0

Game 1 St.Louis 1 at Colorado 4 Final

Game 2 St.Louis 3 at Colorado 6 Final

Game 3 Colorado 5 at St.Louis 1 Final

Game 4 Colorado 5 at St.Louis 2 Final




Boston 3 Washington 1 Final

Boston is able to move to the second round after winning four consecutive games following the game 1 loss while Washington was eliminated in the first round for a third consecutive year. Patrice Bergeron had two goals (2 and 3), David Pastrnak had a goal (2) and a assist, while Mike Reilly had two assists for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask made 40 saves in the win. The Bruins were 0/3 on the power play, and also had 26 hits and 19 shots. Each team had lineup changes for Boston Jarred Tinordi replaced Kevin Miller and for Washington Daniel Sprong replaced Michael Raffl. Connor Sheary (1) was the lone goal scorer for the Capitals. Ilya Samsonov made 16 saves in the loss. The Capitals were 0/4 on the power play, and also had 36 hits and 41 shots. My thoughts: for Washington’s season to end in the first round is disappointing and I honestly thought that they could get to at least get to the second round but obviously Boston is the better team and will move on. Boston wins series 4-1. 

My Prediction: Washington 4-3

Actually happened: Boston 4-1

Game 1 Boston 2 at Washington 3 Final/OT

Game 2 Boston 4 at Washington 3 Final/OT

Game 3 Washington 2 at Boston 3 Final/2OT

Game 4 Washington 1 at Boston 4 Final

Game 5 Boston 3 at Washington 1 Final




Winnipeg 5 Edmonton 4 Final/OT

Winnipeg lead a late come from behind victory after being down three goals and were able to win it in overtime thanks to Nikolai Ehlers. Nikolai Ehlers had two goals including the overtime winner (1 and 2), Josh Morrissey had a goal (1) and assist, Pierre Luc Dubois had two assists, while Blake Wheeler (2) and Mathieu Perreault (1) also scored for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck made 44 saves in the Win. The Jets were 2/3 on the power play (Ehlers first and Perreault’s goal were both PPG’s), and also had 47 hits and 37 shots. Each team had lineup changes for Winnipeg Nikolai Ehlers replaced Dominic Toninato and for Edmonton Devin Shore, Garnet Haas, and Tyler Ennis replaced Dominik Kahun, James Neal, and Alex Chiasson. Leon Draisaitl had two goals (1 and 2) and a assist, Connor McDavid had three assists, while Zach Kassian (1) and Jujar Khaira (1) also scored for the Oilers. Mike Smith made 32 saves in the overtime loss. The Oilers were 1/3 on the power play (Draisaitl’s second was the PPG), and also had 32 hits and 48 shots. My thoughts: I thought that the Oilers would finally win and start their comeback in the series but Winnipeg is resilient and scoring four straight including in overtime to lead 3-0 is something I don’t think anyone was expecting. Winnipeg leads the best of seven series 3-0, Game 4 Monday at 6:45. 


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