Friday, April 17, 2015

NHL Division Semifinals, Day 3

Four more games going today, all of which are Game 2s in their respective series. We begin with...

The Atlantic Division, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Ottawa Senators. Andrew Hammond and Carey Price are set to start in goal. Ottawa began with a first period Clarke MacArthur goal, fueled by Mark Stone and Cody Ceci. Montreal tied it in the second period on a Max Pacioretty power play goal, powered by David Desharnais and Andrei Markov. The Canadiens took the lead on a P.K. Subban goal, passed from Devante Smith-Pelly and Desharnais. The Senators tied it in the third period as Patrick Wiercioch scored a power play goal, made possible by Stone and Erik Karlsson. Montreal won 3-2 in overtime with an Alex Galchenyuk goal, assisted by Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec. The three stars went to Galchenyuk, Desharnais, and Stone. The Canadiens head to Ontario leading the series 2-0.

For the Metropolitan Division, the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Islanders. Jaroslav Halak faces a lesser foe in Philipp Grubauer in goal. New York was first to score in the first period on a Cal Clutterbuck goal, with a lone assist by Matt Martin. The Islanders added on in the second period with a Ryan Strome goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by John Tavares and Lubomir Visnovsky. Washington got on the board as Karl Alzner scored, thanks to Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom. New York replied with a Kyle Okposo goal, via Josh Bailey and Calvin de Haan. The Capitals pulled back with an Alex Ovechkin goal, assisted by Matt Niskanen and Backstrom. Washington tied it in the third period on a Backstrom power play goal, powered by John Carlson. The Capitals gained the lead with a Jason Chimera goal, guided in by Niskanen. This stood for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Backstrom, Niskanen, and Chimera. The series heads to Nassau Coliseum tied at 1.

Into the Central Division, with the Nashville Predators bringing in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Nashville led off in the first period with a Colin Wilson goal, his third of the postseason, coming on the power play from Craig Smith and Mike Ribeiro. Chicago tied it on Patrick Sharp's second of the playoffs, guided in by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Andrew Shaw. The Predators reclaimed the lead on a Roman Josi goal, via Shea Weber. The Blackhawks retied it again on a Patrick Kane goal in the second period, with a lone assist by Brent Seabrook. Nashville pulled ahead as Smith scored, thanks to Cody Franson and Ribeiro. The Predators added on with a Filip Forsberg goal, going in unassisted. Nashville extended the lead with a Smith goal, his second of the game, set up by Forsberg and the goalie Rinne. The Predators padded the lead as Mike Santorelli scored, with the help of Calle Jarnkrok and Viktor Stalberg. This made it 6-2, the final, with the three stars going to Smith, Forsberg, and Ribeiro. The series is now tied at 1 heading to Chicago.

Finally, the Pacific Division has the Vancouver Canucks hosting the Calgary Flames. Jonas Hiller and Eddie Lack are in the creases. Vancouver struck first in the first period on a Daniel Sedin goal, fueled by Henrik Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks added on with a power play goal by Chris Higgins, powered by Burrows and Christopher Tanev. Vancouver extended the lead on a third period Ronalds Kenins goal, made possible by Bo Horvat and Luca Sbisa. Calgary got on the board with a power play goal by Kris Russell, his second of the playoffs, assisted by Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. The Canucks iced it at 4-1 with a Radim Vrbata empty net goal, set up by Nick Bonino and Tanev. The three stars went to Lack (22 for 23 in saves), Burrows, and Tanev. The series heads to Alberta tied at 1.

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