NHL Playoffs 2022 - Day 7

We're on to Game 4s. First up on Sunday...

The Boston Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Antti Raanta and Jeremy Swayman man the nets. Carolina led off in the first period with a Brett Pesce goal, via Jordan Staal and Max Domi. Boston tied it on a Patrice Bergeron goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. The Hurricanes retook the lead in the second period with a Staal goal, assisted by Nino Niederreiter and Tony DeAngelo. The Bruins tied it again with a Jake DeBrusk power play goal, powered by Marchand and Bergeron. Boston took the lead in the third period on a Marchand power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Charlie Coyle and DeBrusk. The Bruins added on with a Pastrnak goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Marchand and Bergeron. Boston iced it at 5-2 with a Marchand empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, set up by Coyle and Brandon Carlo. The three stars were Marchand, Bergeron, and Pastrnak, while DeBrusk, Staal, and Coyle get the honorable mentions. The series heads back south tied at 2-2.

Westward to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Minnesota Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jordan Binnington guard the cages. St. Louis began in the first period with a Jordan Kyrou goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Pavel Buchnevich and Colton Parayko. Minnesota tied it on a Kirill Kaprizov goal, his fifth of the playoffs, via Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Hartman. The Blues took the lead back in the second period with a David Perron goal, his fourth of the postseason, assisted by Ryan O'Reilly and Scott Perunovich. St. Louis added on with a Kyrou goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, guided in by O'Reilly. The Wild got one back in the third period with a Matt Boldy goal, fueled by Jacob Middleton and Frederick Gaudreau. The Blues shot back on a Perron empty net goal, his second of the game and fifth of the postseason, going in unassisted. St. Louis finished it at 5-2 with an O'Reilly power play goal, his third of the playoffs, powered by Perron and Justin Faulk. The three stars were Perron, O'Reilly, and Kyrou. The series is tied at 2-2 heading back to Minnesota. 

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell and Andrei Vasilevskiy tend the twines. Tampa Bay opened in the first period with a Steven Stamkos goal, assisted by Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. The Lightning added on with a Pierre-Edouard Bellemare goal, going in unassisted. Tampa Bay extended the lead as Pat Maroon scored, thanks to Mikhail Sergachev. The Lightning padded the lead in the second period on a Ross Colton goal, his second of the postseason, helped along by Brandon Hagel and Cal Foote. Tampa Bay continued with a Corey Perry power play goal, his second of the playoffs, powered by Kucherov and Brayden Point. Toronto got on the board in the third period with a William Nylander power play goal, with assists provided by Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly. The Maple Leafs got closer with another Nylander goal, guided in by John Tavares. The Lightning fired back with an unassisted Ondrej Palat empty net goal, his second of the postseason. Toronto got one back with a Jake Muzzin goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by T.J. Brodie and Colin Blackwell. Tampa Bay iced it at 7-3 with a Colton empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, set up by Hagel and Ryan McDonagh. The three stars were Coloton, Kucherov, and Nylander, while Hagel gets an honorable mention. The series heads north again tied at 2-2. 

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick are the veterans in goal. Los Angeles started in the first period with a Trevor Moore goal, his second of the postseason, via Phillip Danault and Carl Grundstrom. The Kings added on with a Troy Stecher goal, courtesy of Alex Iafallo and Blake Lizotte. Los Angeles extended the lead in the third period as Grundstrom scored, thanks to Moore. The Kings padded the lead on another Grundstrom goal, coming on the power play and going into an empty net, set up by Dustin Brown and Stecher. The final held at 4-0, with the three stars given to Quick (31 save shutout), Grundstrom, and Moore, while Stecher gets an honorable mention. The series is tied at 2-2 heading back to Edmonton. 

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NHL Playoffs 2022 - Day 6

There's four more Game 3s on today, beginning with...

The Washington Capitals hosting the Florida Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Ilya Samsonov protect the nets. Florida opened with a Jonathan Huberdeau goal, via Anthony Duclair. Washington tied it on a T.J. Oshie power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. The Capitals took the lead in the second period with a Marcus Johansson goal, helped along by Anthony Mantha and Nicklas Backstrom. Washington added on with a Trevor van Riemsdyk goal, courtesy of Johansson and Backstrom. The Capitals extended the lead in the third period on an Ovechkin power play goal, with assists provided by Conor Sheary and Mantha. Washington padded the lead on a Carlson empty net goal, set up by Lars Eller. The Capitals finished it at 6-1 with a Garnet Hathaway goal, made possible by Johan Larsson and Nic Dowd. The three stars were Ovechkin, Johansson, and Carlson, while Backstrom and Mantha get the honorable mentions. The Capitals pulled ahead 2-1 in the series.

Down in Nashville, the Predators welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Darcy Kuemper and Connor Ingram start in goal. Colorado started in the first period with an Artturi Lehkonen power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Devon Toews and Samuel Girard. The Avalanche added on with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, his fourth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Gabriel Landeskog and Cale Makar. Nashville got on the board with a Matt Duchene goal, his third of the postseason, helped along by Luke Kunin and Alexandre Carrier. Pavel Francouz replaced Kuemper late in the first period. The Predators tied it in the second period on an Eeli Tolvanen power play goal, with helpers from Mattias Ekholm and Carrier. Colorado retook the lead on a Landeskog power play goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Mikko Rantanen and Makar. Nashville tied it again with a Roman Josi power play goal, made possible by Ryan Johansen and Mikael Granlund. The Avalanche pulled ahead on a Landeskog goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, fueled by Nazem Kadri and Josh Manson. Colorado extended the lead as Kadri scored an unassisted power play goal. The Avalanche padded the lead in the third period as Toews scored his second of the playoffs, with the help of Makar and Landeskog. Colorado iced it at 7-3 with an empty net goal by Valeri Nichushkin, set up by Rantanen and Erik Johnson. The three stars were Landeskog, Makar, and Toews, while Kadri, Rantanen, and Carrier. The Avalanche own a 3-0 series lead and will go for a sweep Monday.

Back in Pittsburgh, the Penguins bring in the New York Rangers. Igor Shesterkin and Louis Domingue patrol the creases. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with a Brock McGinn unassisted goal. New York tied it on a Kaapo Kakko goal, coming off of Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil. The Penguins retook the lead with a Jeff Carter power play goal, powered by Evan Rodrigues and Mike Matheson. Pittsburgh added on with a power play goal by Rodrigues, with assists provided by Matheson and the goalie Domingue. The Penguins extended the lead as Rodrigues scored his second of the game, helped along by Brian Boyle. Alexandar Georgiev replaced Shesterkin in goal. The Rangers got one back in the second period with a Frank Vatrano goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. New York got closer with an Artemi Panarin goal, his second of the playoffs, courtesy of Adam Fox and Ryan Strome. The Rangers tied it on an Andrew Copp shorthanded goal, his third of the postseason, set up by Kevin Rooney. Pittsburgh took the lead in the third period with a Danton Heinen goal, going in unassisted. The Penguins padded the lead with an empty net goal by Jake Guentzel, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Sidney Crosby and Matheson. Pittsburgh iced it at 7-4 with a Carter empty net goal, his second of the game, via Crosby and McGinn. The three stars were given to Rodrigues, Carter, and Matheson, while McGinn and Crosby get the honorable mentions. The Penguins lead the series 2-1.

Finally, the Dallas Stars host the Calgary Flames. Jacob Markstrom and Jake Oettinger tend the twines. Dallas began in the first period with a Radek Faksa goal, coming off of Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen. Calgary tied it on a Trevor Lewis goal, via Milan Lucic and Nikita Zadorov. The Flames took the lead in the second period with an Elias Lindholm goal, his second of the postseason, made possible by Johnny Gaudreau. The Stars tied it on a Joe Pavelski goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Heiskanen and Ryan Suter. Dallas took the lead with another Pavelski power play goal, his second of the game and third of the postseason, powered by Vladislav Namestnikov and John Klingberg. The Stars iced it at 4-2 with a Roope Hintz empty net goal, set up by Jani Hakanpaa and Jamie Benn. The three stars were Pavelski, Heiskanen, and Faksa. The Stars have a 2-1 series lead. 

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NHL Playoffs 2022 - Day 5

We've switched cities for the next few days. First up...

The Boston Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes. Pyotr Kochetkov and Jeremy Swayman are the young goalies. Carolina started in the first period with a Vincent Trocheck goal, his second of the postseason, courtesy of Brendan Smith. Boston tied it on a Charlie Coyle shorthanded goal, set up by Jake DeBrusk. The Bruins took the lead in the second period with a Brad Marchand goal, helped along by Patrice Bergeron. Boston added on with a David Pastrnak power play goal, powered by Marchand and Coyle. The Bruins extended the lead in the third period as Taylor Hall scored his second of the playoffs on the power play, with the help of Pastrnak and Marchand. The Hurricanes got one back with a Jaccob Slavin goal, going in unassisted. This only made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Marchand, Coyle, and Pastrnak. The Hurricanes remain ahead 2-1 in the series. 

Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jack Campbell and Andrei Vasilevskiy guard the cages. Toronto opened in the first period with a Morgan Rielly power play goal, powered by Michael Bunting and Mitchell Marner. The Maple Leafs added on with a Colin Blackwell goal, via Ilya Lyubushkin and Pierre Engvall. Toronto extended the lead in the second period as David Kampf scored his second of the postseason, an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay got on the board with a Ross Colton power play goal, with assists provided by Mikhail Sergachev and Ondrej Palat. The Lightning got closer in the third period with a Palat goal, helped along by Alex Killorn and Ryan McDonagh. The Maple Leafs answered with an Ilya Mikheyev empty net goal, set up by Engvall. Toronto finished it at 5-2 with another Mikheyev empty net goal, passed from Engvall. The three stars were Palat, Mikheyev, and Engvall. The Maple Leafs retook the series lead at 2-1.

Along to St. Louis, as the Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ville Husso are in the blue paint. Minnesota led off in the first period with a Jordan Greenway goal, passed from Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Foligno. The Wild added on with a Kirill Kaprizov goal, his fourth of the postseason, via Ryan Hartman. Minnesota extended the lead as Mats Zuccarello scored in the second period, thanks to Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild padded the lead in the third period with an Eriksson Ek goal, his third of the playoffs, guided in by Foligno. St. Louis got on the board with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Colton Parayko. Minnesota iced it at 5-1 with a Jonas Brodin empty net goal, set up by Hartman. The three stars were Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek, and Hartman, while Foligno gets an honorable mention. The Wild pulled ahead 2-1 in the series. 

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings host the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Smith and Jonathan Quick are the veterans in goal. Edmonton began in the first period with a Leon Draisaitl goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard. The Oilers added on with a Zach Hyman power play goal, powered by McDavid and Tyson Barrie. Edmonton extended the lead in the second period as Evander Kane scored his third of the playoffs, fueled by Cody Ceci. The Oilers chased Quick on a Hyman goal, his second of the game, with a lone helper by Draisaitl. Cal Petersen replaced Quick in goal. Edmonton padded the lead on Kane's second goal of the game and his fourth of the postseason, helped along by Ceci and Jesse Puljujarvi. Los Angeles got on the board with an unassisted Anze Kopitar goal. The Kings got closer with a Phillip Danault power play goal, his second of the playoffs, with assists provided by Adrian Kempe and Kopitar. The Oilers replied in the third period with a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal, coming off of Hyman and Bouchard. Edmonton kept going with another Nugent-Hopkins goal, guided in by Josh Archibald and Derek Ryan. The Oilers struck again with Kane completing his hat trick on his fifth of the postseason, with helpers from Nugent-Hopkins and Ceci. The three stars of the 8-2 game were Kane, Hyman, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Draisaitl, Ceci, McDavid, Bouchard, and Kopitar get the honorable mentions. The Oilers own a 2-1 series lead. 

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NHL Playoffs 2022 - Day 4

We've got another four games before the first round shifts to the second cities in each series. First up...

The New York Rangers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Louis Domingue is mismatched with Igor Shesterkin in goal. New York began in the first period with an Andrew Copp goal, his second of the postseason, via Artemi Panarin and Justin Braun. Pittsburgh tied it on a Jake Guentzel goal, his third of the playoffs, assisted by Marcus Pettersson and Sidney Crosby. The Rangers took the lead back in the second period with a power play goal by Ryan Strome power play goal, powered by Adam Fox and Panarin. New York added on with a Chris Kreider goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Frank Vatrano and K'Andre Miller. The Penguins pulled one back with a Crosby goal, courtesy of Bryan Rust and Mike Matheson. The Rangers answered in the third period with a Panarin goal, guided in by Vatrano and Miller. New York extended the lead as Vatrano scored, thanks to Braden Schneider. The final held at 5-2, with the three stars going to Panarin, Vatrano, and Crosby, while Miller gets an honorable mention. The series is tied at 1-1.

Down in Florida, the Panthers bring in the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Sergei Bobrovsky man the nets. Florida led off in the first period with an Aaron Ekblad goal, assisted by Aleksander Barkov. The Panthers added on with a Barkov goal, passed from Jonathan Huberdeau and Anthony Duclair. Washington got on the board in the second period with a power play goal by Nicklas Backstrom powered by Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. Florida shot back on a Mason Marchment goal, helped along by Brandon Montour and Claude Giroux. The Panthers extended the lead as Anton Lundell scored, with the help of Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe. Florida padded the lead on a Verhaeghe goal, courtesy of Radko Gudas and Gustav Forsling. Ilya Samsonov replaced Vanecek in goal for the third period. The final held at 5-1, with the three stars given to Barkov, Verhaeghe, and Bobrovsky (26 for 27 in saves). The series heads up north tied at 1-1.

Out in Colorado, the Avalanche welcome the Nashville Predators. Connor Ingram and Darcy Kuemper draw the starts in goal. Colorado opened in the first period with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his third of the postseason, via Logan O'Connor and Erik Johnson. Nashville tied it on a Yakov Trenin goal, coming off of Roman Josi and Alexandre Carrier. The Avalanche won 2-1 in overtime with a Cale Makar goal, his second of the playoffs, guided in by Nico Sturm and Devon Toews. The three stars were Makar, MacKinnon, and Ingram (48 for 50 in saves). The Avalanche head east with a 2-0 series lead.

Finally, the Calgary Flames bring in the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Jacob Markstrom protect the nets. Dallas started in the first period with a Joe Pavelski goal, coming off of Jason Robertson. The Stars added on in the third period with a Michael Raffl empty net goal, set up Tyler Seguin and Jani Hakanpaa. The final was 2-0, with the three stars being Oettinger (29 save shutout), Pavelski, and Raffl. The series is tied at 1-1. 

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NHL Playoffs 2022 - Day 3

We're back with another four-game day. First up...

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Antti Raanta make the starts in goal, but Pyotr Kochetkov had to replace the latter early in the first period. Carolina opened in the first period with a Jesper Fast goal, coming off of Jordan Staal and Jaccob Slavin. The Hurricanes added on with a Sebastian Aho goal, via Tony DeAngelo and Slavin. Carolina extended the lead in the second period on another Aho power play goal, his second of the game, powered by DeAngelo and Teuvo Teravainen. Boston got on the board with a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, with a lone assist by Brad Marchand. The Hurricanes shot back with a Nino Niederreiter power play goal, his second of the postseason, with helpers from Vincent Trocheck and DeAngelo. The Bruins got one back in the third period with a Bergeron goal, his second of the game, helped along by Charlie McAvoy. Carolina iced it at 5-2 with a Niederreiter empty net goal, his second of the game and third of the playoffs, set up by Andrei Svechnikov. The three stars were Aho, Niederreiter, and DeAngelo, while Bergeron and Slavin get the honorable mentions. The Hurricanes lead the series 2-0 as the series shifts to Boston. 

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jack Campbell protect the nets. Tampa Bay started in the first period with a Victor Hedman power play goal, powered by Alex Killorn. The Lightning added on in the second period with a Corey Perry goal, fueled by Hedman. Toronto got on the board with a Michael Bunting goal, courtesy of Mitchell Marner and Auston Matthews. Tampa Bay shot back with a Nikita Kucherov power play goal, with assists provided by Hedman and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning extended the lead in the third period as Brandon Hagel scored, thanks to Nick Paul and Kucherov. Tampa Bay padded the lead on a Brayden Point power play goal, assisted by Kucherov and Hedman. The Maple Leafs pulled one back with a Marner goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Jake Muzzin and Matthews. Toronto got closer on a shorthanded Alexander Kerfoot goal, set up by T.J. Brodie. The final held at 5-3, with the three stars given to Hedman, Kucherov, and Marner, while Matthews gets an honorable mention. The series is tied at 1-1. 

West to Minnesota, as the Wild bring in the St. Louis Blues. Ville Husso and Marc-Andre Fleury are between the pipes. Minnesota struck first in the first period with a Joel Eriksson Ek goal, via Jordan Greenway. The Wild added on with a Frederick Gaudreau power play goal, powered by Jonas Brodin and Ryan Hartman. Minnesota extended the lead as Kirill Kaprizov scored on the power play, with the help of Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello. The Wild padded the lead in the second period on another Eriksson Ek goal, his second of the game, going in unassisted. St. Louis got on the board with a Jordan Kyrou power play goal, with helpers from Robert Thomas and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues got closer with a Tarasenko goal, courtesy of Pavel Buchnevich and Thomas in the third period. Minnesota fired back on Kaprizov's second goal of the game, with a lone assist by Zuccarello. The Wild finished it at 6-2 with a Kaprizov empty net goal, completing his hat trick on a goal set up by Hartman and Brodin. The three stars were Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek, and Tarasenko, while Zuccarello, Hartman, Brodin, and Thomas get the honorable mentions. The series is tied at 1-1.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mike Smith are the veterans in goal. Edmonton got going in the second period with a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, his second of the postseason, powered by Tyson Barrie and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers added on with a Darnell Nurse shorthanded goal, set up by Connor McDavid. Edmonton extended the lead as Ryan McLeod scored, with the help of Evan Bouchard and Zack Kassian. The Oilers padded the lead in the third period with an Evander Kane goal, going in unassisted. Edmonton continued with a Jesse Puljujarvi goal, with helpers from McDavid and Kane. The Oilers struck again on a Kane power play goal, his second of the game, with assists provided by Bouchard and McLeod. The final stood at 6-0, with the three stars going to Kane, Smith (30 save shutout), and McLeod, while McDavid and Bouchard get the honorable mentions. The series is tied at 1-1. 

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NHL Playoffs 2022 - Day 2

The four series that didn't begin yesterday are starting today. First up...

The New York Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Casey DeSmith and Igor Shesterkin are the goalies. New York opened in the first period with an Adam Fox power play goal, powered by Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. The Rangers added on in the second period with an Andrew Copp goal, via Ryan Strome and Jacob Trouba. Pittsburgh got on the board with a Jake Guentzel goal, coming off of Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. The Penguins tied it on another Guentzel goal, his second of the game, assisted by Crosby and Rust. New York retook the lead with a shorthanded goal by Kreider, set up by Zibanejad. Pittsburgh tied it again with a power play goal by Rust, with assists provided by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The Penguins won in triple-overtime with a Malkin goal, helped along by John Marino and Kasperi Kapanen. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Malkin, Guentzel, and Rust, while Crosby, Kreider, and Zibanejad get the honorable mentions. The Penguins are up 1-0 in the series.

Down in Florida, the Panthers welcome the Washington Capitals. Vitek Vanecek and Sergei Bobrovsky man the nets. Washington started in the first period with a Tom Wilson goal, powered by Anthony Mantha and Justin Schultz. Florida tied it on a Sam Bennett goal, courtesy of Radko Gudas and Carter Verhaeghe. The Panthers took the lead in the second period with a Claude Giroux goal, via Brandon Montour and Jonathan Huberdeau. The Capitals retied it in the third period with an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, fueled by Alex Ovechkin. Washington pulled ahead with a T.J. Oshie goal, passed from Nicklas Backstrom and Dmitry Orlov. The Capitals iced it at 4-2 with an empty net goal by Lars Eller, going in unassisted. The three stars were Oshie, Kuznetsov, and Eller. The Capitals own a 1-0 series lead.

Out west, the Colorado Avalanche bring in the Nashville Predators. David Rittich is mismatched with Darcy Kuemper in goal. Colorado led off in the first period with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal, powered by Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar. The Avalanche added on with a Devon Toews goal, assisted by Rantanen and Makar. Colorado extended the lead on a shorthanded Andrew Cogliano goal, going in unassisted. The Avalanche padded the lead on a Makar unassisted goal. Colorado continued with an Artturi Lehkonen goal, passed from Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog. The Avalanche struck again in the second period with a power play goal by Landeskog, with helpers from MacKinnon and Rantanen. Nashville got on the board with a Matt Duchene power play goal, with assists provided by Ryan Johansen and Mikael Granlund. Colorado fired back in the third period with a MacKinnon goal, his second of the game, guided in by Samuel Girard and Valeri Nichushkin. The Predators pulled one back with another Duchene goal, his second of the game, coming off of Granlund and Matt Benning. The final was 7-2, with the three stars handed to Makar, MacKinnon, and Rantanen, while Landeskog, Duchene, and Granlund get the honorable mentions. The Avalanche established a 1-0 series lead.

Finally, the Calgary Flames host the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger and Jacob Markstrom tend the twines. Calgary began in the first period with an Elias Lindholm power play goal, powered by Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau. The final remained from here at 1-0, with the three stars going to Markstrom (16 save shutout), Lindholm, and Oettinger (25 for 26 in saves). The Flames hold a 1-0 series lead. 

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NHL Playoffs 2022 - Day 1

Welcome to the first round of this year's NHL playoffs. Each day will have no more than four games. First up...

The Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Boston Bruins. Linus Ullmark and Antti Raanta are the goalies. Carolina got going in the second period with a Seth Jarvis goal, via Jaccob Slavin and Ian Cole. The Hurricanes added on with a Nino Niederreiter goal, passed from Tony DeAngelo and Martin Necas. Boston got on the board in the third period with a Taylor Hall goal, fueled by Erik Haula and Charlie McAvoy. Carolina shot back on a Teuvo Teravainen goal, coming off of Vincent Trocheck. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Trocheck scored, with the help of Max Domi and Brett Pesce. Carolina iced it at 5-1 with an Andrei Svechnikov empty net goal, set up by Sebastian Aho and Jarvis. The three stars were Trocheck, Jarvis, and Raanta (35 for 36 in saves). The Hurricanes start the series with a 1-0 lead. 

Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs bring in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jack Campbell protect the nets. Toronto led off in the first period with a Jake Muzzin goal, helped along by Ondrej Kase and Ilya Mikheyev. The Maple Leafs added on with an Auston Matthews power play goal, powered by Mitchell Marner and John Tavares. Toronto extended the lead on a David Kampf shorthanded goal, set up by Marner. The Maple Leafs padded the lead as Marner scored, thanks to Morgan Rielly and Matthews. Toronto continued in the third period with Matthews' second goal of the game, guided in by Kase and Rielly. This made it 5-0, the final, with the three stars awarded to Campbell (23 save shutout), Matthews, and Marner, while Kase and Rielly get the honorable mentions. The Maple Leafs took a 1-0 series lead.

Out west, the Minnesota Wild welcome the St. Louis Blues. Ville Husso and Marc-Andre Fleury are the masked men. St. Louis began in the first period with a David Perron power play goal, powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Torey Krug. The Blues added on with an O'Reilly goal, assisted by Justin Faulk and Perron. St. Louis extended the lead in the second period as Perron scored his second of the game on the power play, thanks to Brayden Schenn and Krug. The Blues padded the lead when Perron completed his hat trick, with helpers from Krug and Brandon Saad. The final held at 4-0, with the three stars being Husso (37 save shutout), Perron, and O'Reilly, while Krug gets an honorable mention. The Blues own a 1-0 series lead.

Finally, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mike Smith patrol the creases. Los Angeles struck first in the first period with a Trevor Moore goal, coming off of Alex Iafallo and Phillip Danault. The Kings added on with an Iafallo goal, via Moore and Alexander Edler. Edmonton got on the board with a Connor McDavid goal, assisted by Darnell Nurse. The Oilers tied it on a Kailer Yamamoto power play goal in the second period, powered by Duncan Keiyh and Evan Bouchard. Los Angeles retook the lead with a Brendan Lemieux goal, courtesy of Adrian Kempe. Edmonton retied it on a Leon Draisaitl power play goal, with assists provided by McDavid and Yamamoto. The Kings took the lead back with a Sean Durzi goal in the third period. This made it 4-3, the final, with the three stars going to Moore, Iafallo and McDavid, while Yamamoto gets an honorable mention. The Kings are up 1-0 in the series.

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