Monday, May 24, 2021

NHL 2021 - Playoff Day 10

Five games on for tonight, beginning with...

The Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the New York Islanders. Ilya Sorokin and Tristan Jarry are the goalies. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin power play goal, powered by Kris Letang and Bryan Rust. New York tied it on an Anthony Beauvillier goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Josh Bailey and Nick Leddy. The Penguins retook the lead in the second period with a Rust goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Sidney Crosby and Letang. The Islanders tied it again with a Jordan Eberle goal in the third period, his second of the postseason, via Leo Komarov and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. New York won 3-2 in double overtime with a Bailey goal, his third of the playoffs, going in unassisted. The three stars were Bailey, Rust, and Letang. The Islanders head home with a 3-2 series lead.

Up in Montreal, the Canadiens welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell and Carey Price guard the cages. Toronto got going in the second period with a William Nylander goal, his third of the postseason, via Alexander Kerfoot. Montreal tied it with a Nick Suzuki goal, assisted by Corey Perry and Tomas Tatar. The Maple Leafs regained the lead with a Morgan Rielly goal, coming off of Mitchell Marner and T.J. Brodie. This made it 2-1, the eventual final, with the three stars going to Rielly, Nylander, and Campbell (28 for 29 in saves). The Maple Leafs took a 2-1 series lead. 

Down in Florida, the Panthers host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Spencer Knight are the masked men. Tampa Bay began in the first period with a Ross Colton goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Blake Coleman and Ryan McDonagh. Florida tied it in the second period with a MacKenzie Weegar goal, via Jonathan Huberdeau and Sam Bennett. The Panthers took the lead with a Mason Marchment goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Aleksander Barkov and Weegar. Florida added on in the third period with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Barkov and Huberdeau. The Panthers iced it at 4-1 with a Frank Vatrano empty net goal, set up by Hornqvist. The three stars were Weegar, Barkov, and Hornqvist, while Huberdeau and Knights (36 for 37 in saves) get the honorable mentions. The Panthers stayed alive, but trail in the series 3-2. 

Back north, the Winnipeg Jets bring in the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Smith and Connor Hellebuyck tend the twines. Winnipeg started in the first period with a Mark Scheifele power play goal, powered by Blake Wheeler and Josh Morrissey. Edmonton tied it on a Connor McDavid goal, courtesy of Leon Draisaitl and Jesse Puljujarvi. The Jets retook the lead on a Mason Appleton goal, coming off of Morrissey and Adam Lowry. The Oilers tied it again in the second period with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, assisted by Zack Kassian and Adam Larsson. Edmonton took the lead with an Alex Chiasson power play goal, with assists provided by Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins. Winnipeg retied it on a Scheifele goal, his second of the game, made possible by Kyle Connor and Wheeler. The Jets won 4-3 in triple overtime with a Connor goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Neal Pionk. The three stars were Connor, Scheifele, and Wheeler, while Morrissey, Nugent-Hopkins, and Draisaitl get the honorable mentions. The Jets swept the series 4-0 and advanced to the second round.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury protect the nets. Vegas opened in the first period with a Mark Stone goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Alex Tuch and Nick Holden. Minnesota tied it on a Kirill Kaprizov goal, helped along by Mats Zuccarello. The Wild took the lead with a Zach Parise goal, coming off of Jonas Brodin and Matt Dumba. Minnesota added on with a Jordan Greenway goal, courtesy of Calen Addison. The Golden Knights got one back with an Alec Martinez power play goal, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Chandler Stephenson. The Wild iced it at 4-2 with a Nico Sturm empty net goal in the third period, going in unassisted. The three stars were Greenway, Parise, and Kaprizov. The Wild stayed alive and will return home trailing 3-2 in the series. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Sunday, May 23, 2021

NHL 2021 - Playoff Day 9

Another four-pack of first-round playoff action goes today as...

The Nashville Predators host the Carolina Hurricanes. Alex Nedeljkovic and Juuse Saros are the masked men. Nashville opened in the first period with a Luke Kunin goal, assisted by Mikael Granlund and Ryan Ellis. Carolina tied it on a Vincent Trocheck goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Martin Necas. The Predators retook the lead in the second period with a Ryan Johansen goal, his second of the playoffs, via Matt Duchene and Mattias Ekholm. The Hurricanes tied it on a Brock McGinn goal, passed from Steven Lorentz. Carolina took the lead on a McGinn goal in the third period, helped along by Jordan Martinook and Jordan Staal. Nashville tied it again with a Nick Cousins power play goal, powered by Erik Haula and Ekholm. The Predators won 4-3 in double overtime with a Kunin goal, courtesy of Granlund and Calle Jarnkrok. The three stars were Kunin, McGinn, and Ekholm, while Granlund and Martinook get the honorable mentions. The series heads east again tied at 2-2.

Westward to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Philipp Grubauer and Jordan Binnington man the nets. St. Louis got going in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, assisted by Ryan O'Reilly. Colorado tied it with a Brandon Saad power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Cale Makar and the goalie Grubauer. The Avalanche pulled ahead with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Samuel Girard and Mikko Rantanen. Colorado extended the lead in the third period as Rantanen scored, thanks to Nathan MacKinnon and Landeskog. The Blues tied it on a Tarasenko power play goal, his second of the game, with assists provided by Robert Thomas and O'Reilly. The Avalanche shot back with a MacKinnon power play empty net goal, his sixth of the postseason, going in unassisted. Colorado iced it at 5-2 with a Valeri Nichushkin power play empty net goal, an unassisted tally. The three stars were Rantanen, Landeskog, and Tarasenko, while MacKinnon and O'Reilly get the honorable mentions. The Avalanche swept the series 4-0 and they're the first team to reach the second round.

Back east, the Washington Capitals bring in the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ilya Samsonov protect the nets. Boston dented the scoreboard in the second period with a David Pastrnak goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Mike Reilly. The Bruins added on with a Patrice Bergeron goal, his second of the playoffs, via Reilly and Pastrnak. Washington got on the board in the third period with a Conor Sheary goal, coming off of T.J. Oshie and Dmitry Orlov. Boston responded with an unassisted Bergeron goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Bergeron, Pastrnak, and Reilly. The Bruins eliminated the Capitals with a 4-1 series win.

Finally, the Winnipeg Jets host the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Smith and Connor Hellebuyck guard the cages. Edmonton started in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, via Slater Koekkoek and Connor McDavid. The Oilers added on with a Draisaitl power play goal, powered by Kailer Yamamoto and McDavid. Winnipeg got on the board in the second period with a Nikolaj Ehlers power play goal, with assists provided by Pierre-Luc Dubois and Neal Pionk. Edmonton shot back with a Zack Kassian goal, fueled by Draisaitl and McDavid. The Oilers extended the lead in the third period as Jujhar Khaira scored, thanks to Adam Larsson and Devin Shore. The Jets got one back with a Mathieu Perreault power play goal, with helpers from Andrew Copp and Dubois. Winnipeg pulled closer with a Blake Wheeler goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Josh Morrissey and Mark Scheifele. The Jets tied it as Morrissey scored, with the help of Adam Lowry. Winnipeg won 5-4 in overtime with an Ehlers goal, his second of the game, guided in by Paul Stastny. The three stars were Ehlers, Draisaitl, and Morrissey, while Dubois and McDavid get the honorable mentions. The Jets are ahead 3-0 in the series. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

NHL 2021 - Playoff Day 8

Four games on today, and they start early with...

The Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the Russian goalies. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with an Anthony Cirelli goal, his second of the postseason, courtesy of Alex Killorn and Erik Cernak. The Lightning added on with a Yanni Gourde goal, his second of the playoffs, via Nikita Kucherov and Mikhail Sergachev. Florida got on the board with a Jonathan Huberdeau power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Patric Hornqvist and Sam Bennett. Tampa Bay replied with an Ondrej Palat goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Cernak and Kucherov. The Lightning extended the lead as Killorn scored his second of the postseason on the power play, with the help of Kucherov and Victor Hedman in the second period. Tampa Bay padded the lead on another Killorn goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, assisted by Steven Stamkos and Cirelli. The Panthers got one back with a Carter Verhaeghe power play goal, his second of the postseason, with assists provided by Aleksander Barkov and Huberdeau. The Lightning responded in the third period with a Kucherov power play goal, his third of the playoffs, with helpers from Stamkos and Killorn. This stood for a 6-2 win, with the three stars going to Killorn, Kucherov, and Cirelli, while Stamkos, Verhaeghe, and Cernak get the honorable mentions. The Lightning leave home carrying a 3-1 series lead.

In New York, the Islanders welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Ilya Sorokin play in the blue paint. New York got going in the second period with a Josh Bailey goal, his second of the postseason, courtesy of Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier. The Islanders added on with a Ryan Pulock goal, via Oliver Wahlstrom and Nick Leddy. New York extended the lead in the third period as Wahlstrom scored a power play goal, with the help of Mathew Barzal and Pulock. The Islanders padded the lead on a Jordan Eberle power play goal, powered by Barzal and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Pittsburgh got on the board with a shorthanded Zach Aston-Reese goal, set up by Brian Dumoulin. This only made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars going to Pulock, Wahlstrom, and Barzal. The series is tied at 2-2 heading back to Pittsburgh. 

Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jack Campbell are between the pipes. Montreal began in the first period with a Jesperi Kotkaniemi goal, coming off of Joel Armia and Tyler Toffoli. Toronto tied it on a Jason Spezza goal, via Zach Bogosian. The Maple Leafs took the lead in the second period with an Auston Matthews goal, assisted by Justin Holl and Mitchell Marner. Toronto added on with a Rasmus Sandin power play goal, powered by Marner and Matthews. The Maple Leafs extended the lead in the third period as William Nylander scored his second of the postseason, thanks to Matthews and Morgan Rielly. Toronto iced it at 5-1 with an Alexander Kerfoot empty net goal, set up by Nylander. The three stars were Matthews, Nylander, and Marner. The Maple Leafs have tied the series at 1-1 heading to Montreal.

Finally, the Minnesota Wild host the Vegas Golden Knights. Marc-Andre Fleury and Cam Talbot are the masked men. Vegas kicked off the scoring in the first period with a Nicolas Roy goal, fueled by Keegan Kolesar. The Golden Knights added on in the second period with an Alex Tuch goal, his third of the postseason, guided in by Chandler Stephenson and Zach Whitecloud. Vegas extended the lead on an unassisted shorthanded goal by Mark Stone, his third of the playoffs. The Golden Knights padded the lead with a Roy empty net goal in the third period, set up by Mattias Janmark and Kolesar. This made it 4-0, the final, with the three stars going to Fleury (35 save shutout), Roy, and Kolesar. The Golden Knights return home with a 3-1 series lead and three chances to advance. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Friday, May 21, 2021

NHL 2021 - Playoff Day 7

Four games on again tonight, beginning with...

The Boston Bruins hosting the Washington Capitals. Ilya Samsonov and Tuukka Rask protect the nets. Boston got going in the second period with a Brad Marchand power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins added on in the third period with a Pastrnak power play goal, with assists provided by McAvoy and David Krejci. Boston extended the lead as Charlie Coyle scored, thanks to Jake DeBrusk. Washington got on the board with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Matt Grzelcyk power play goal, helped along by McAvoy and Taylor Hall. The three stars were Pastrnak, McAvoy, and Rask (19 for 20 in saves). The Bruins leave home with a 3-1 series lead and three chances to advance.

Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Alex Nedeljkovic and Juuse Saros are the young goalies. Nashville struck first in the first period with a Ryan Ellis goal, coming off of Tanner Jeannot and Colton Sissons. Carolina tied it on an unassisted Sebastian Aho goal, his third of the postseason. The Predators took the lead with a Filip Forsberg goal, his second of the playoffs, courtesy of Mattias Ekholm and the goalie Saros. The Hurricanes tied it again in the second period with a Jordan Staal goal, with a lone helper by Warren Foegele. Carolina pulled ahead with a Vincent Trocheck power play goal, powered by Andrei Svechnikov and Aho. Nashville retied it on a Mikael Granlund power play goal, with assists provided by Erik Haula and Roman Josi. The Predators took the lead in the third period with a Ryan Johansen goal, assisted by Ellis and Forsberg. The Hurricanes evened the score on a Brett Pesce goal, guided in by Teuvo Teravainen and Aho. Nashville won 5-4 in double overtime with a Matt Duchene goal, made possible by Josi and Ellis. The three stars went to Ellis, Forsberg, and Aho, while Josi gets an honorable mention. The Hurricanes remain ahead 2-1 in the series.

In Canada, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Mike Smith tend the twines. Winnipeg won 1-0 in overtime with a Paul Stastny goal, courtesy of Andrew Copp and Tucker Poolman. The three stars were Hellebuyck (38 save shutout), Stastny, and smith (35 for 36 in saves). The Jets return home carrying a 2-0 series lead.

Finally, the St. Louis Blues host the Colorado Avalanche. Philipp Grubauer and Jordan Binnington are the masked men. Colorado dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Ryan Graves goal, going in unassisted. The Avalanche added on with an Alex Newhook goal, via Graves and Valeri Nichushkin. Colorado extended the lead as Tyson Jost scored, thanks to Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog.. St. Louis got on the board with a Tyler Bozak shorthanded goal, set up by Ryan O'Reilly and Colton Parayko. The Avalanche shot back in the third period with a Brandon Saad goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Andre Burakovsky and Carl Soderberg. Colorado iced it at 5-1 with a shorthanded empty net goal by J.T. Compher, set up by Graves and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The three stars were Graves, Newhook, and Grubauer (31 for 32 in saves). The Avalanche own a commanding 3-0 series lead and will look to advance on Sunday. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

NHL 2021 - Playoff Day 6

Four games on as the playoffs are now truly unencumbered as the focus of the NHL. First up today...

The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Florida Panthers. Chris Driedger and Andrei Vasilevskiy are the masked men. Florida led off in the first period with a Sam Bennett goal, assisted by Jonathan Huberdeau and Owen Tippett. The Panthers added on with a Radko Gudas goal, via Gustav Forsling and Huberdeau. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with an Anthony Cirelli goal, guided in by Victor Hedman and Alex Killorn. The Lightning tied it on a Ross Colton goal, fueled by Blake Coleman. Tampa Bay took the lead with a Steven Stamkos goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Ryan McDonagh. Florida tied it with an Alex Wennberg power play goal, powered by MacKenzie Weegar and Tippett. The Lightning retook the lead with a Brayden Point power play goal, his third of the playoffs, with assists provided by Nikita Kucherov and Hedman. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Killorn scored on the power play, with the help of Hedman and Point. Sergei Bobrovsky replaced Driedger in goal for the third period. Florida got one back in the third period with a Patric Hornqvist power play goal, with helpers from Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers tied it with a Forsling goal, passed from Wennberg and Hornqvist. The Panthers won 6-5 in overtime with a Ryan Lomberg goal, made possible by Frank Vatrano and Gudas. The three stars were Gudas, Huberdeau, and Wennberg, while Hornqvist, Forsling, Tippett, Point, Killorn, and Hedman get the honorable mentions. The Panthers cut the Lightning's series lead to 2-1.

Up in New York, the Islanders welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jarry and Semyon Varlamov protect the nets. Pittsburgh began in the first period with a Kris Letang power play goal, going in unassisted. New York tied it in the second period on a Scott Mayfield goal, fueled by Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle. The Penguins retook the lead with a Jeff Carter goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Frederick Gaudreau and Marcus Pettersson. Pittsburgh added on with a Jason Zucker goal, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin and Letang. The Islanders got one back in the third period with a Cal Clutterbuck goal, coming off of Casey Cizikas and Mayfield. New York tied it on an Anthony Beauvillier power play goal, powered by Barzal and Noah Dobson. The Penguins retook the lead with a Carter power play goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, with an assist provided by Malkin. The Islanders tied it with another Clutterbuck goal, his second of the game, made possible by Mayfield. Pittsburgh regained the lead on a Brandon Tanev goal, via Letang. This stood for a 5-4 win, with the three stars handed to Letang, Carter, and Malkin, while Clutterbuck, Mayfield, and Barzal get the honorable mentions. The Penguins took the series lead at 2-1.

Further north, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jack Campbell are in the creases. Montreal opened in the first period with a Josh Anderson goal, courtesy of Eric Staal and Tyler Toffoli. Toronto tied it in the second period with a William Nylander goal, guided in by Morgan Rielly and Justin Holl. The Canadiens took the lead in the third period with a Paul Byron shorthanded goal, set up by Joel Armia. The final held at 2-1, with the three stars being Byron, Price (35 for 36 in saves), and Anderson.

Finally, the Minnesota Wild host the Vegas Golden Knights. Marc-Andre Fleury and Cam Talbot guard the cages. Minnesota started in the first period with a Ryan Hartman goal, via Kirill Kaprizov and Jonas Brodin. The Wild added on with a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Marcus Foligno and Matt Dumba. Vegas got on the board in the second period with a Mark Stone goal, assisted by Chandler Stephenson and Brayden McNabb. The Golden Knights tied it on a Patrick Brown goal, courtesy of Nick Holden and William Carrier. Vegas took the lead with a Reilly Smith goal, guided in by Holden and William Karlsson. The Golden Knights extended the lead as Karlsson scored in the third period, thanks to Smith and the goalie Fleury. Vegas iced it at 5-2 with a Stone empty net goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

NHL 2021 - Day 126/Playoff Day 5

Five games are on today, beginning with the end of the regular season as...

The Calgary Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Braden Holtby and Jacob Markstrom are the veterans in goal. Calgary led off in the first period with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Johnny Gaudreau and Juuso Valimaki. The Flames added on with a Dillon Dube goal, his eleventh of the year, fueled by Derek Ryan and Brett Ritchie. Calgary extended the lead as Andrew Mangiapane scored his eighteenth of the season, thanks to Mikael Backlund and Joakim Nordstrom. The Flames padded the lead in the second period on a Ritchie goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Ryan and Dube. Vancouver got on the board with a Bo Horvat power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Brock Boeser and Jack Rathbone. The Canucks got closer with a J.T. Miller goal, his fifteenth of the year, helped along by Boeser and Tyler Myers. Calgary shot back with another Tkachuk goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the campaign, with helpers from Gaudreau and Christopher Tanev. The Flames continued in the third period with a Connor Mackey goal, assisted by Ritchie and Ryan. This stood for a 6-2 win, with the three stars going to Tkachuk, Ryan, and Ritchie, while Dube, Gaudreau, and Boeser get the honorable mentions. 

Back east, the Boston Bruins welcome the Washington Capitals. Ilya Samsonov and Tuukka Rask are the masked men. Washington got going in the second period with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, powered by Anthony Mantha. Boston tied it on a Taylor Hall goal, his second of the postseason, via Craig Smith and Kevan Miller. The Capitals retook the lead with a Nic Dowd goal, his second of the playoffs, coming off of Garnet Hathaway. The Bruins tied it in the third period with a Brad Marchand power play goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Patrice Bergeron and Charlie McAvoy. Boston won 3-2 in double overtime with a Smith goal, going in unassisted. The three stars belonged to Smith, Marchand, and Hall. The Bruins now lead the series 2-1.

Down to Raleigh, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros and Alex Nedeljkovic are the young goalies. Carolina began in the first period with a Sebastian Aho power play goal, powered by Andrei Svechnikov and Dougie Hamilton. The Hurricanes added on in the third period with an Aho empty net goal, his second of the game, set up by Brett Pesce. Carolina iced it at 3-0 with a Warren Foegele goal, guided in by Jordan Staal and Jesper Fast. The three stars were Nedeljkovic (32 save shutout), Aho, and Foegele.

Out in Edmonton, the Oilers bring in the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck and Mike Smith tend the twines. Edmonton dented the scoreboard in the second period with a Jesse Puljujarvi goal, assisted by Tyson Barrie and Darnell Nurse. Winnipeg tied on a Tucker Poolman goal, fueled by Blake Wheeler and Nate Thompson. The Jets took the lead with a Dominic Toninato goal, guided in by Logan Stanley and Thompson. Winnipeg added on with a Kyle Connor empty net goal, set up by Mark Scheifele and Neal Pionk. The Jets extended the lead as Wheeler scored an empty net goal, thanks to Connor and Scheifele. This made it 4-1, the final, with the three stars given to Wheeler, Thompson, and Connor, while Scheifele gets an honorable mention.

Finally, the Colorado Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues. Jordan Binnington and Philipp Grubauer guard the cages. Colorado struck first in the first period with a Joonas Donskoi goal, coming off of Ryan Graves and Nazem Kadri. The Avalanche added on with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Cale Makar and Donskoi. Colorado extended the lead in the second period as Donskoi scored his second of the game, thanks to MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. St. Louis got on the board with a Sammy Blais goal, via Kyle Clifford and Torey Krug. The Blues got closer in the third period with a Brayden Schenn power play goal, with helpers from Tyler Bozak and Krug. Colorado replied with a MacKinnon goal, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Devon Toews and Gabriel Landeskog. St. Louis got one back with a Mike Hoffman goal, helped along by Niko Mikkola and Robert Thomas. Colorado fired back with a Brandon Saad empty net goal, set up by Tyson Jost. The Avalanche iced it at 6-3 with a MacKinnon empty net goal, completing his hat trick on his fifth of the postseason, with helpers from Rantanen and Landeskog. The three stars were MacKinnon, Donskoi, and Landeskog, while Rantanen and Krug get the honorable mentions. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

NHL 2021 - Day 125/Playoff Day 4

Four games on today, beginning with a regular-season clash with...

The Vancouver Canucks hosting the Calgary Flames. Louis Domingue and Thatcher Demko are the goalies. Vancouver opened in the first period with a Travis Hamonic goal, his third of the season, made possible by Tyler Graovac and Quinn Hughes. The Canucks added on with a Nils Hoglander goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Tyler Myers and Bo Horvat. Vancouver extended the lead in the third period as Myers scored his sixth of the season, thanks to Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller. Calgary got on the board with an Andrew Mangiapane goal, his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Milan Lucic and Adam Ruzicka. The Flames got closer with a Matthew Tkachuk goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano. The Canucks iced it at 4-2 with a Boeser empty net goal, his twenty-third of the year, set up by Hamonic. The three stars were Hamonic, Myers, and Boeser. 

In Pittsburgh, the Penguins welcome the New York Islanders. Semyon Varlamov and Tristan Jarry are in goal. Pittsburgh started in the first period with a Bryan Rust goal, going in unassisted. The Penguins added on with a Jeff Carter goal, coming off of Jared McCann and Kasperi Kapanen. New York got on the board in the second period with a Josh Bailey goal, helped along by Brock Nelson and Scott Mayfield. This only made it 2-1, the final, with the three stars going to Jarry (37 for 38 in saves), Carter, and Rust. The series heads to New York tied at 1-1.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Chris Driedger are the masked men. Tampa Bay led off in the first period with a Steven Stamkos goal, via Alex Killorn and David Savard. The Lightning added on with an Ondrej Palat goal, coming off of Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Florida got on the board in the second period with a Mason Marchment goal, assisted by Carter Verhaeghe and Aleksander Barkov. Tampa Bay replied in the third period with a Yanni Gourde empty net goal, set up by Palat. The three stars of the 3-1 game were Vasilevskiy (32 for 33 in saves), Palat, and Stamkos. The Lightning lead the series 2-0 and will now head home for the next two games.

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights host the Minnesota Wild. Cam Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Minnesota got going in the second period with a Matt Dumba goal, via Jonas Brodin. Vegas tied it on a Jonathan Marchessault goal, assisted by Reilly Smith and William Karlsson. The Golden Knights took the lead with an Alex Tuch goal, courtesy of Mattias Janmark and Alex Pietrangelo. Vegas added on with a Tuch power play goal, his second of the game, powered by Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone. This stood for a 3-1 win, with the three stars given to Tuch, Fleury (34 for 35 in saves), and Marchessault. The series heads to Minnesota tied at 1-1. 

Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.