Last night saw four first-round playoff games in the National Hockey League.
Of four games numbered 6, two were the final game of a series.
Here’s what caught our eye.
1. Panthers force final game in Boston
After their incredible season, everyone expected the Boston Bruins to make it far in the playoffs.
However, everyone was also aware that the Florida Panthers would be no easy test in the first round.
The Panthers have had an up-and-down season, but on paper, they’re a solid team.
Well, we’ll be treated to the ultimate match-up between the two teams, as the Panthers tied the series last night with a 7-5 victory.
It was a completely crazy game, especially in the third period, when the two teams exchanged goals very quickly.
π THERE WILL BE A GAME 7 IN BOSTON π
The @FlaPanthers would not go away quietly in Game 6, and shortly after the teams traded third period goals, Eetu Luostarinen RIPS home the eventual game winner! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/8HsayvGv6H
– NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2023
The efforts of David Pastrnak (two goals), Tyler Bertuzzi (two goals and an assist) and Brad Marchand (four assists) will not have been enough.
π€― DAVID PASTRNAK BETWEEN-THE-LEGS GOAL π€―
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/1LcMw2aSwF– NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2023
For all the game highlights, click here.
It’s game number 7 in Boston on Monday, with the winner advancing to the second round.
It will be interesting to see if the Bruins opt for Jeremy Swayman in net rather than Linus Ullmark, who has been pretty ordinary in the last two games.
The series is tied 3-3.
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2. Hurricanes fly into second round
It wasn’t easy for the Canes, but they managed to end their first-round series against the Islanders last night with a 2-1 overtime victory.
The Canes were right to start selling their second-round tickets before the end of their series.
The Islanders had opened the scoring, but were never able to score another goal.
Pin-point accuracy from Cal Clutterbuck! π― #StanleyCup
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/03wDm3kQjh– NHL (@NHL) April 28, 2023
SEBASTIAN AHO, @Canes edition. π€
It’s tied in Game 6!
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/a4VGOlOErz– NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2023
And in overtime, it was Peter Stastny who gave the Canes the win with a shot Ilya Sorokin would surely love to see again.
π¨ PAUL STASTNY OVERTIME WINNER π¨
The @Canes advance to the Second Round with an OT win in Game 6! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/QJ72JZvgVM
– NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2023
It’s a shame for the Islanders’ goalie, who had an excellent season and a good series all in all.
As for the Hurricanes, well, it’s been since 2015 that goaltender Frederik Andersen hadn’t won a decisive game in the playoffs.
It’s been 2910 days since he won game number 5 with the Anaheim Ducks against the Calgary Flames.
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Rod Brind’Amour’s troupe will therefore face either the New York Rangers or the New Jersey Devils in the second round.
The Hurricanes win the series 4-2.
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3. Stars send Wild on vacation
It was game number 6 again, and the team with the 3-2 series lead advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs.
The Dallas Stars won 4-1 at the home of the Minnesota Wild to end their six-game first-round series.
Roope Hintz opened the scoring with a superb goal.
ROOPE CANNOT BE STOPPED! π³ #StanleyCup
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/TV8msMU1cv– NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2023
The Stars forward has been simply dominant since the start of the playoffs, with 12 points (five goals and seven assists) in six games.
He’s the leading scorer in the playoffs so far.
The Stars won rather easily, while the Wild seemed to be completely shut out and didn’t seem to be putting in any effort.
Note that Stars 19-year-old forward Wyatt Johnston scored his first career playoff goal.
WYATT JOHNSTON GETS HIS FIRST CAREER @NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF GOAL!!!!#StanleyCup x #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/VTwlns8w2H
– Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 29, 2023
It was also the winning goal.
Mason Marchment delivered the coup de grace for the Wild with a goal in the final second of the second period.
Achievement unlocked: Buzzer Beater! π
The @DallasStars head into the 3rd period up 3-0! #StanleyCup
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/VJwfkYqhBw– NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2023
For the Wild, it’s another first-round defeat. It’s been eight years since they’ve made it past the first round.
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They’re the Leafs of the West, after all.
In fact, the Stars’ social media didn’t hesitate to laugh at the Wild.
– Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 29, 2023
Ouch.
The Stars will face either the Seattle Kraken or the Colorado Avalanche in the next round.
Dallas wins the series 4-2.
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4. The Avalanche have not said their last word
The Seattle Kraken is surprising a lot of people this season, and it’s also ruining the predictions of many field hockey fans.
Most people thought the defending champions would have an easy time of it against the expansion team.
However, the opposite is true.
It was a very close series, with the Kraken even putting the Avalanche to the sword by taking a 3-2 series lead.
The Avalanche faced elimination last night in Seattle, but fortunately for them, there will be a Game 7.
Jared Bednar’s team won 4-1 to avoid elimination last night.
THE MOOSE IS LOOSE! #GoAvsGo | #OneWayOurWay pic.twitter.com/wEgedBTCFW
– Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 29, 2023
ERIK JOHNSON π₯
The @Avalanche take the lead in the 2nd period! Will they be able to hold on to force a #Game7? #StanleyCup
πΊπΈ: @NHL_On_TNT β‘οΈ https://t.co/LaJpv7c3yx #NHLonTNT
π¨π¦: @Sportsnet β‘οΈ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz pic.twitter.com/bPEbH2X51v– NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2023
Artturi Lehkonen scored two goals, including the empty-netter.
LEHKY BABY π¨#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/O58Zw7A7O7
– Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 29, 2023
In short, we’re in for the ultimate game Sunday night in Colorado. It’s sure to be an interesting game to watch.
The series is tied 3-3.
Overtime
– Here are yesterday’s results.
The @Canes and @DallasStars punched their tickets to the Second Round, while the @FlaPanthers and @Avalanche forced a couple of #Game7 showdowns that will take place Sunday.#NHLStats: https://t.co/jtEdk87B8n pic.twitter.com/LxN4Jz4bFJ
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 29, 2023
– Here are the night’s top scorers.
– On today’s program: three more games number 6.