NHL Playoffs 2023 - First Round Day 13

There's three games on tonight as more teams face elimination. First up...

The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Andrei Vasilevskiy protect the nets. Toronto got going in the second period with an Auston Matthews goal, his fifth of the postseason, courtesy of T.J. Brodie. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period with a Steven Stamkos goal, his second of the playoffs, via Darren Raddysh and Anthony Cirelli. The Maple Leafs won 2-1 in overtime with a John Tavares goal, his fourth of the postseason, guided in by Matthew Knies. The three stars were Samsonov (31 for 32 in saves), Tavares, and Matthews. The Maple Leafs won the series 4-2.

Up in New York, the Rangers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Akira Schmid and Igor Shesterkin man the nets. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Curtis Lazar goal, assisted by Kevin Bahl and Damon Severson. New York tied it on a Chris Kreider power play goal, his sixth of the postseason, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox. The Rangers took the lead with a Zibanejad goal, coming off of Kreider and Vladimir Tarasenko. New York added on with a Tarasenko goal, his third of the playoffs, guided in by Kreider and Fox. The Rangers extended the lead in the third period as Barclay Goodrow scored, thanks to Jimmy Vesey and New York padded the lead on a Braden Schneider goal, fueled by Niko Mikkola and Filip Chytil. Vitek Vanecek replaced Schmid in goal. The Devils got one back on a Dawson Mercer power play goal, his second of the postseason, with assists provided by Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. The final held at 5-2, with the three stars going to Kreider, Zibanejad, and Tarasenko, while Fox gets an honorable mention. The series is tied at 3-3.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner and Joonas Korpisalo are in the creases. Edmonton started in the first period with a Connor McDavid goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm. Los Angeles tied it on a Sean Durzi goal, helped along by Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield. The Oilers retook the lead with a Klim Kostin goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Ryan McLeod and Vincent Desharnais. Edmonton added on in the second period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his seventh of the postseason, guided in by McDavid and Bouchard on the power play. The Kings shot back with an Adrian Kempe power play goal, his fifth of the playoffs, powered by Fiala and Viktor Arvidsson. Los Angeles tied it on a Fiala power play goal, with assists provided by Drew Doughty and Arvidsson. The Oilers retook the lead with a Kostin goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, passed from Kailer Yamamoto and Desharnais. The Kings tied it again in the third period with a Phillip Danault shorthanded goal, his second of the playoffs, going in unassisted. Edmonton took the lead with a Yamamoto goal, with helpers from McLeod and Kostin. This held for a 5-4 win, with the three stars being Kostin, McDavid, and Yamamoto, while McLeod, Bouchard, Desharnais, Fiala, and Arvidsson get the honorable mentions. The Oilers won the series 4-2 and will face the Golden Knights in the second round. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL Playoffs 2023 - First Round Day 12

We're getting down to the wire in the first round, as each game could see an elimination this Friday. First up...

The New York Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen and Ilya Sorokin guard the cages. New York led off in the first period with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, via Ryan Pulock and Casey Cizikas. Carolina tied it in the third period with a Sebastian Aho goal, his fourth of the postseason, coming off of Brett Pesce. The Hurricanes won 2-1 in overtime with a Paul Stastny goal, his third of the playoffs, courtesy of Derek Stepan. The three stars were Stastny, Aho, and Andersen (33 for 34 in saves). The Hurricanes won the series 4-2.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Sergei Bobrovsky are between the pipes. Florida began in the first period with a Brandon Montour power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov. Boston tied it on a Tyler Bertuzzi power play goal, his third of the playoffs, with assists provided by Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. The Panthers retook the lead with a Tkachuk goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Nick Cousins. The Bruins tied it again in the second period with a David Pastrnak power play goal, his third of the playoffs, with helpers from Marchand and McAvoy. Florida gained the lead again with a Barkov goal, helped along by Anthony Duclair and Carter Verhaeghe. Boston tied it on a Bertuzzi goal in the third period, his second of the game and fourth of the postseason, made possible by Brandon Carlo and Marchand. The Bruins gained the lead with a Pastrnak power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Bertuzzi and Marchand. The Panthers tied it again with a Zac Dalpe goal, coming off of Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell. Boston reclaimed the lead with a Jake DeBrusk shorthanded goal, his fourth of the postseason, set up by Pavel Zacha and Dmitry Orlov. Florida retied it on a Tkachuk power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the playoffs, fueled by Lundell and Gustav Forsling. The Panthers pulled ahead on a Luostarinen goal, his second of the postseason, with a lone assist by Montour. Florida iced it at 7-5 with a Sam Reinhart empty net goal, his third of the playoffs, passed from Radko Gudas. The three stars were Tkachuk, Bertuzzi, and Pastrnak, while Barkov, Marchand, Luostarinen, Montour, Lundell, and McAvoy get the honorable mentions. The series is tied at 3-3, heading back to Boston one more time. 

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Filip Gustavsson tend the twines. Dallas opened in the first period with a Roope Hintz goal, his fifth of the postseason, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Jason Robertson. The Stars added on in the second period with a Wyatt Johnston goal, via Evgenii Dadonov and Ryan Suter. Dallas extended the lead as Mason Marchment scored his second of the playoffs, thanks to Max Domi. Minnesota got on the board in the third period with a Frederick Gaudreau goal, his third of the postseason, helped along by Gustav Nyquist and Jake Middleton. The Stars iced it at 4-1 with a Domi empty net goal, set up by Marchment. The three stars were Oettinger (23 for 24 in saves), Marchment, and Domi. The Stars won the series 4-2. 

Finally, the Seattle Kraken host the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Philipp Grubauer are the goalies. Seattle started in the first period with an unassisted Vince Dunn goal. Colorado tied it on a Mikko Rantanen goal, his sixth of the postseason, made possible by Evan Rodrigues and Devon Toews. The Avalanche took the lead in the second period on an Erik Johnson goal, via Rantanen. Colorado added on with an Artturi Lehkonen goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Toews and Makar. The Avalanche iced it at 4-1 in the third period with a Lehkonen empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, set up by Makar and Lars Eller. The three stars belonged to Rantanen, Lehkonen, and Toews, while Makar gets an honorable mention. The series heads back to Colorado tied at 3-3. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL Playoffs 2023 - First Round Day 11

There's three games on today, beginning with...

The Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ilya Samsonov man the nets. Toronto opened in the first period with a Morgan Rielly goal, his third of the postseason, via Matthew Knies and John Tavares. Tampa Bay tied it on an Anthony Cirelli goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by Brandon Hagel and Nick Perbix. The Lightning pulled ahead with a Mikey Eyssimont goal in the second period, courtesy of Zach Bogosian and Ian Cole. Tampa Bay added on in the third period with a Nick Paul goal, coming off of Ross Colton and Eyssimont. The Maple Leafs pulled back with an Auston Matthews goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Tavares and Mitch Marner. The Lightning iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Alex Killorn, his third of the playoffs, set up by Victor Hedman and Cirelli. The three stars were Cirelli, Eyssimont, and Tavares. The Maple Leafs remain ahead 3-2 in the series.

Down in New Jersey, the Devils welcome the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Akira Schmid are set to start in goal. New Jersey started in the first period with an Ondrej Palat goal, his second of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Devils added on in the second period with an Erik Haula power play goal, his second of the playoffs, powered by Dawson Mercer and Damon Severson. New Jersey extended the lead as Mercer scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Haula. The Devils iced it at 4-0 with a Haula empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, made possible by Nico Hischier and Ryan Graves. The three stars were Haula, Schmid (23 save shutout), and Mercer. The Devils are now up 3-2 in the series.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit are in the creases. Vegas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Chandler Stephenson goal, his third of the postseason, fueled by Mark Stone and Brett Howden. The Golden Knights added on with a Stone goal, his third of the playoffs, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo. Vegas extended the lead as William Karlsson scored his fourth of the postseason, thanks to Michael Amadio and Reilly Smith. The Golden Knights padded the lead on a Stephenson power play goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, powered by Stone and Jack Eichel. Winnipeg got on the board with a Kyle Connor goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Blake Wheeler and Adam Lowry. The final held at 4-1, with the three stars being Stephenson, Stone, and Karlsson. The Golden Knights won the series 4-1 and are the first team to advance to the second round. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL Playoffs 2023 - First Round Day 10

A quieted Wednesday sees just two games on. First up...

The Boston Bruins welcome the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Linus Ullmark man the nets. Florida began in the first period with an Anthony Duclair goal, guided in by Carter Verhaeghe. Boston tied it in the second period with a Brad Marchand power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Charlie McAvoy. The Panthers retook the lead with a Sam Bennett goal, his third of the playoffs, courtesy of Verhaeghe and Nick Cousins. The Bruins tied it on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, helped along by Marchand and McAvoy. Florida reclaimed the lead with a Sam Reinhart power play goal, his second of the postseason, with assists provided by Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov. Boston tied it again with a Taylor Hall goal, his fifth of the playoffs, fueled by Brandon Carlo and Charlie Coyle. The Panthers won 4-3 in overtime with a Tkachuk goal, his third of the postseason, helped along by Verhaeghe. The three stars were Tkachuk, Marchand, and Verhaeghe, while McAvoy gets an honorable mention. The Bruins remain ahead 3-2 in the series.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer and Alexandar Georgiev are set to start in goal. Seattle got going in the second period with a Morgan Geekie goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Wennberg. Colorado tied it on a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by Mikko Rantanen. The Kraken took the lead back with a Tye Kartye goal, coming off of Jordan Eberle and Will Borgen. Seattle added on in the third period with a Yanni Gourde goal, made possible by Carson Soucy and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The Avalanche got one back with an Evan Rodrigues goal, guided in by Devon Toews and MacKinnon. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Gourde, Kartye, and MacKinnon. The Kraken head home with a 3-2 series lead in hand. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL Playoffs 2023 - First Round Day 9

There's three games today as the scheduled stretches out a bit. First up...

The Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Antti Raanta protect the nets. New York led off in the first period with a Pierre Engvall goal, assisted by Brock Nelson. The Islanders added on with a Nelson goal in the second period, his second of the postseason, fueled by Engvall and Kyle Palmieri. Carolina got on the board with a Derek Stepan goal, courtesy of Jalen Chatfield and Jesse Puljujarvi. New York replied with a Mathew Barzal goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Bo Horvat. The Hurricanes got one back in the third period with a Sebastian Aho goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Seth Jarvis and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars being Nelson, Engvall, and Barzal. The Hurricanes remain ahead 3-2 in the series.

West to Dallas, as the Stars welcome the Minnesota Wild. Filip Gustavsson and Jake Oettinger guard the cages. Dallas began in the first period with a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. The Stars added on with a power play goal by Robertson, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Miro Heiskanen and Hintz. Dallas extended the lead in the second period as Mason Marchment scored, thanks to Seguin and Hintz. The Stars padded the lead in the third period with a Ty Dellandrea empty net goal, set up by Max Domi and Ryan Suter. The final held at 4-0, with the three stars going to Oettinger (27 save shutout), Hintz, and Seguin, while Robertson gets an honorable mention. The Stars hold a 3-2 series lead.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Joonas Korpisalo and Stuart Skinner patrol the creases. Edmonton kicked off the scoring in the first period with an Evander Kane power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Darnell Nurse and Mattias Ekholm. The Oilers added on with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his sixth of the playoffs, coming off of Connor McDavid and Ekholm. Los Angeles got on the board with an Alex Iafallo goal, his third of the postseason, guided in by Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar. Edmonton shot back with a Brett Kulak goal, via Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele. The Kings pulled one back on a Kempe goal, his fourth of the playoffs, courtesy of Carl Grundstrom and Drew Doughty. The Oilers fired back in the second period with a Nick Bjugstad goal, helped along by Cody Ceci and Nurse. Pheonix Copley replaced Korpisalo in goal. Edmonton extended the lead as Zach Hyman scored his second of the postseason on the power play, thanks to Evan Bouchard and McDavid. The Oilers padded the lead on Bjugstad's second goal of the game, helped along by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the third period. Los Angeles got one back with a Quinton Byfield goal, assisted by Gabriel Vilardi and Kevin Fiala. The final remained at 6-3, and the three stars were handed to Bjugstad, Kempe, and McDavid, while Nurse and Ekholm get the honorable mentions. The Oilers hold a 3-2 series lead. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL Playoffs 2023 - First Round Day 8

We're back for more Game 4s, beginning with...

The New York Rangers hosting the New Jersey Devils. Akira Schmid and Igor Shesterkin protect the nets. New Jersey opened in the first period with a Jack Hughes goal, his third of the postseason, made possible by Jonas Siegenthaler. New York tied it in the third period on a Vincent Trocheck goal, passed from Chris Kreider and Patrick Kane. The Devils took the lead back on a Siegenthaler goal, assisted by Nico Hischier and Dougie Hamilton. New Jersey iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Ondrej Palat, set up by Jesper Bratt and Erik Haula. The three stars were given to Siegenthaler, Schmid (22 for 23 in saves), and Hughes. The series is tied at 2-2 heading back to New Jersey.

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov and Andrei Vasilevskiy are between the pipes. Tampa Bay started in the first period with an Alex Killorn power play goal, powered by Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. The Lightning added on with a Mikhail Sergachev goal, assisted by Kucherov and Brayden Point. Toronto got on the board in the second period with a Noel Acciari goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Justin Holl and Ryan O'Reilly. Tampa Bay shot back with a Steven Stamkos goal, via Hedman and Nick Perbix. The Lightning extended the lead as Killorn scored his second of the game, thanks to Brandon Hagel and Sergachev. The Maple Leafs got one back in the third period with an Auston Matthews goal, his second of the playoffs, courtesy of Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Toronto got closer on a Matthews power play goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, with assists provided by Nylander and Mark Giordano. The Maple Leafs tied it on a Morgan Rielly goal, his second of the playoffs, coming off of Marner and O'Reilly. Toronto won 5-4 in overtime with an Alexander Kerfoot power play goal, with helpers from Giordano and Nylander. The three stars were Matthews, Nylander, and Marner, while Killorn, O'Reilly, Sergachev, Giordano, Kucherov, and Hedman get the honorable mentions. The Maple Leafs return home ahead 3-1 in the series.

Up in Winnipeg, the Jets bring in the Vegas Golden Knights. Laurent Brossoit and Connor Hellebuyck man the nets. Winnipeg led off in the first period with a Blake Wheeler power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Neal Pionk and Nino Niederreiter. Vegas tied it on a Brett Howden goal, courtesy of Chandler Stephenson. The Golden Knights took the lead in the second period with a William Karlsson goal, his third of the playoffs, assisted by Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore. Vegas added on with an Ivan Barbashev goal, guided in by Theodore and Stephenson. The Jets got one back in the third period with a Pierre-Luc Dubois power play goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Wheeler and Pionk. The Golden Knights iced it at 4-2 with a Howden empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, set up by Mark Stone. The three stars were Howden, Theodore, and Stephenson, while Wheeler and Pionk get the honorable mentions. The Golden Knights head home up 3-1 in the series.

Finally, the Seattle Kraken host the Colorado Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev and Philipp Grubauer draw the starts in goal. Seattle began in the first period with a Will Borgen goal, fueled by Adam Larsson and Brandon Tanev. The Kraken added on with a Daniel Sprong power play goal, powered by Justin Schultz. Colorado got on the board in the second period with a Mikko Rantanen goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Evan Rodrigues. The Avalanche tied it on a Rantanen power play goal, his second of the game and fifth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Samuel Girard and J.T. Compher. Seattle won 3-2 in overtime with a Jordan Eberle power play goal, guided in by Jaden Schwartz and Sprong. The three stars were Sprong, Eberle, and Rantanen. The series is tied at 2-2 heading back to Colorado.

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

NHL Playoffs 2023 - First Round Day 7

It's starting to get serious for the first round. Today's action starts with...

The New York Islanders hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Antti Raanta and Ilya Sorokin man the nets. Carolina opened in the first period with a Seth Jarvis power play goal, powered by Stefan Noesen and Brent Burns. The Hurricanes added on in the second period with a Martin Necas power play goal, with assists provided by Noesen and Sebastian Aho. Carolina extended the lead as Aho scored his second of the postseason, thanks to Mackenzie MacEachern. The Hurricanes padded the lead in the third period with Jarvis' second goal of the game, made possible by Aho. New York got on the board with an Adam Pelech goal, via Brock Nelson. Carolina shot back with a MacEachern goal, helped along by Brady Skjei. The Islanders got one back with a Bo Horvat shorthanded goal, set up by Scott Mayfield. This only made it 5-2, with the three stars given to Aho, Jarvis, and Noesen, while MacEachern gets an honorable mention. The Hurricanes are up 3-1 in the series as they head back home.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Sergei Bobrovsky guard the cages. Boston started in the first period with a Brad Marchand power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Pavel Zacha and Tyler Bertuzzi. The Bruins added on in the second period with a Jake DeBrusk power play goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Dmitry Orlov and Taylor Hall. Florida got on the board with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Carter Verhaeghe and Brandon Montour. Boston replied in the third period with a Bertuzzi goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Brandon Carlo and Nick Foligno. The Panthers countered with a Sam Bennett power play goal, his season of the postseason, coming off of Montour and Tkachuk. The Bruins shot back on DeBrusk's second goal of the game and third of the playoffs, fueled by Zacha and Hall. Boston extended the lead as Hall scored his third of the postseason, thanks to Tomas Nosek and the goalie Ullmark. Jeremy Swayman entered the game after Ullmark received a misconduct penalty. The Bruins iced it at 6-2 with a Hall empty net goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, set up by Nosek and Garnet Hathaway. The three stars were DeBrusk, Bertuzzi, and Hall, while Tkachuk, Zacha, Nosek, and Montour get the honorable mentions. The Bruins return home with a 3-1 series lead in hand. 

Northwest to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Filip Gustavsson tend the twines. Dallas got going in the second period with a Tyler Seguin power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson. The Stars added on in the third period with an Evgenii Dadonov goal, his third of the playoffs, fueled by Hintz and Esa Lindell. Minnesota got on the board with a John Klingberg goal, guided in by Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman. Dallas shot back with a Seguin power play goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, with assists provided by Jamie Benn and Hintz. The Wild pulled one back with a Frederick Gaudreau goal, his second of the playoffs, assisted by Matt Boldy and Klingberg on the power play. This only made it 3-2, the final, with the three stars going to Seguin, Hintz, and Klingberg. The series is tied at 2-2 heading back to Dallas. 

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Edmonton Oilers. Stuart Skinner and Joonas Korpisalo draw the starts in goal. Los Angeles kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Gabriel Vilardi goal, his second of the postseason, helped along by Kevin Fiala and Alex Iafallo. The Kings added on with a Viktor Arvidsson goal, via Trevor Moore and Phillip Danault. Los Angeles extended the lead as Anze Kopitar scored a power play goal, his second of the playoffs, powered by Fiala and Adrian Kempe. Jack Campbell replaced Skinner in goal for the second period. Edmonton got on the board in the second period with an Evan Bouchard power play goal, his second of the postseason, with assists provided by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. The Oilers got closer with a Draisaitl goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by McDavid and Zach Hyman. Edmonton tied it as Draisaitl scored his second of the game and fifth of the postseason on the power play, with the help of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Bouchard. The Kings pulled ahead in the third period with a Matt Roy goal, helped along by Arvidsson and Danault. The Oilers tied it on an Evander Kane goal, his second of the playoffs, passed from McDavid and Mattias Ekholm. Edmonton won 5-4 in overtime with a Hyman goal, with a lone assist by Bouchard. The three stars were Draisaitl, McDavid, and Bouchard, while Hyman, Fiala, Arvidsson and Danault get the honorable mentions. The series is tied at 2-2 heading back to Edmonton.