NHL Game Reviews May 24

 Toronto 2 Montreal 1 Final 

The Maple Leafs were able to hold on for a second consecutive win in the series and take a 2-1 series lead to game 4. William Nylander (3) and Morgan Reilly (1) both scored for the Maple Leafs. Morgan Reilly has a four game point streak (1G-3A-4P). Jack Campbell made 28 saves in the loss. The Maple Leafs were 0/4 on the power play, and also had 28 hits and 29 shots. Each team had lineup changes for Toronto Riley Nash replaced injured Nick Foligno and for Montreal Cole Caufield who made his playoff debut replaced Injured Eric Staal. Nick Suzuki (1) was the lone goal scorer for the Canadiens. Carey Price made 27 saves in the loss. The Canadiens were 0/3 on the power play, and also 37 hits and 29 shots. My thoughts: Toronto has recovered from the Game 1 loss and the loss of captain John Tavares ro take the lead in the series as they try to get to the second round. Toronto leads the best of seven series 2-1, Game 4 Tuesday at 4:30.




New York I 3 Pittsburgh 2 Final/2OT

New York gets a much needed win after Jordan Eberle tied it in the third, Josh Bailey getting the double OT victory, and Sorokin played outstanding. Josh Bailey had the overtime winner (3) and a assist, while Anthony Beauvillier (2) and Jordan Eberle (2) also scored for the Islanders. Ilya Sorokin made 48 saves in the double overtime win. The Islanders were 0/2 on the power play, and also had 47 hits and 28 shots. Neither team had any lineup changes. Brian Rust has a goal (2) and a assist, Kris Letang had two assists, while Evgeni Malkin (1) also scored for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry made 25 saves in the OT loss. The Penguins were 1/2 on the power play (Malkin has the PPG), and also had 46 hits and 50 shots. My thoughts: the Penguins had another lead slip away as the Islanders won for a second time in overtime in Pittsburgh and can now close out the series on Wednesday. New York I leads the best of seven series 3-2, Game 6 Wednesday at 3:30. 




Florida 4 Tampa Bay 1 Final 

Florida was able to stave off elimination and send it back to Tampa for a game six thanks to Spencer Knights strong performance. Patrick Hornqvist (2) and Mackenzie Weegar (1) each had a goal and assist, Jonathan Huberdeau and Alex Barkov each had two assists, while Frank Vatrano (1) and Mason Marchment (2) also scored for the Panthers. Sam Bennett has a ten game point streak (4G-11A-15P) and Alex Barkov has a nine game point streak (3G-10A-13P). Spencer Knight made 36 saves in his first playoff start and win. Florida was 1/5 on the power play (Hornqvist has the PPG), and also had 40 hits and 38 shots. Florida had two lineup changes as Spencer Knight started his first ever playoff game replacing Sergei Bobrovsky and Keith Yandle was back replacing Markus Nutivaara. Ross Colton (2) was the lone goal scorer for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 34 saves in the loss. Tampa Bay was 0/2 on the power play, and also had 49 hits and 37 shots. My thoughts: I knew after Game 4 that it would be going back to  Tampa Bay because Florida is not the team who won’t go down without a fight and now with Knight most likely starting Game 6 Florida has a chance to send the series to seven. Tampa Bay leads best of seven series 3-2, Game 6 Wednesday at 5:00.




Minnesota 4 Vegas 2 Final 

Minnesota keeps their season alive thanks to a strong three goal first period and some incredible play from Cam Talbot. Kirill Kaprizov (1) his first playoff goal, Zach Parise (1), Kordan Greenway (1), and Nico Sturm (1) all scored for the Wild. Cam Talbot made 38 saves in the win. Minnesota did not have a power play, and also had 44 hits and 14 shots. Each team had lineup changes for Minnesota Nick Bjugstad and Calen Addison who made his playoff debut replaced Kyle Rau and injured Carson Soucy while for Vegas a healthy Brayden McNabb replaced Nick Hague. Mark Stone (4) and Alec Martinez (1) both scored for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has a four game point streak (4G-1A-5P). Marc Andre Fleury made 10 saves in the loss. The Golden Knights were 1/2 on the power play (Martinez had the PPG), and also had 48 hits and 40 shots. My thoughts: I was suprised as I thought that the Wild would not solve Fleury but I was wrong and thanks to some great play from Cam Talbot and the three goal first period the Wild move the series back to Minnesota. Vegas leads best of seven series 3-2, Game 6 Wednesday at 6:00.




Winnipeg 4 Edmonton 3 Final/3OT

It took three overtime’s to see a hero but Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets was able to score 7 minutes into overtime to win the series for the Jets. Mark Scheifele had two goals (1 and 2), Kyle Connor had a goal (2) the overtime winner and a assist, Blake Wheeler and Josh Morrissey each had two assists, while Mason Appleton (1) also scored for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck made 37 saves in the triple overtime win. The Jets were 1/5 on the power play (Mark Scheifele’s first was the PPG), and also had 46 hits and 43 shots. Edmonton had some lineup changes as Alex Chiasson and a healthy Kris Russell replaced Josh Archibald who was suspended and Dmitry Kulikov. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a goal (1) and a assist, Leon Draisaitl had two assists, while Alex Chiasson (1) and Connor McDavid (1) also scored for the Oilers. Mike Smith made 39 saves in the overtime loss. Edmonton was 1/4 on the power play (Chiasson had the PPG), and also had 39 hits and 40 shots. My thoughts this is the first series that caught me by surprise as Boston and Washington were evenly matched and their was no doubt the Avalanche would win that series but Winnipeg holding off McDavid for the first two games and the comebacks in the last two just is amazing. Winnipeg sweeps series 4-0.

My Prediction Edmonton 4-2

Actually Happened Winnipeg 4-0

Game 1 Winnipeg 4 at Edmonton 1 Final 

Game 2 Winnipeg 1 at Edmonton 0 Final/OT

Game 3 Edmonton 4 at Winnipeg 5 Final/OT

Game 4 Edmonton 3 at Winnipeg 4 Final/3OT


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