Lightning Round: Wrapping up Day Two and Pittsburgh makes some changes

Yesterday’s Results

Carolina Hurricanes 3-4 Boston Bruins – Bruins lead series 1-0

The game was postponed to yesterday’s morning due to five overtimes in the Tampa vs. Columbus game and also went to multiple overtimes, however Patrice Bergeron ended it quickly in the second overtime, also giving the Bruins the first win the “bubble“. The Bruins top line showed why they’re considered one of the best in the NHL and their middle lines provided enough depth to support them. Although it doesn’t seem like the Canes will drop this series as easy as during the last year’s Eastern Conference finals when they were swept 0-4.

New York Islanders 4-2 Washington Capitals – Islanders lead series 1-0

The Capitals fell to their former head coach Barry Trotz in the first game of the first round, despite having a 2-0 lead almost 19 minutes into the second period. The Isles comeback started with Jordan Eberle’s goal with one minute to go in the second period, Anders Lee tied the game early in the third and Josh Bailey gave the Islanders a lead, scoring a shorthanded goal a little bit later. In the middle of period Anthony Beauvillier doubled their lead and the Isles took a 1-0 lead in the series. Additionally the Capitals lost Nicklas Backstrom after Anders Lee’s late hit.

Arizona Coyotes 0-3 Colorado Avalanche – Avalanche lead series 1-0

The game was scoreless until the third period when the Avalanche managed to score three goals during 1:32 minutes of game, starting with Nazem Kadri’s power play goal. The Avs completely outpaced the opponent in this game in terms of shots on goal 40-13 and thanks only to Darcy Kuemper the Yotes stayed in the game until the third period.

Montreal Canadiens 1-2 Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers lead series 1-0

The hottest team of this year’s playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers, took a lead in the first round after beating the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. Habs goaltender Carey Price played another brilliant game in the playoffs making several spectacular saves, although his opponent Carter Hart had a solid game too. The Flyers opened the scoring in the first period when Jakub Voracek redirected the puck after an Ivan Provorov shot on the power play. The Habs tied the game in the second period after a Shea Weber goal, but just 16 seconds later Joel Farabee scored another goal for the Flyers, which ended up being the game-winning goal.

Vancouver Canucks 4-2 St. Louis Blues – Canucks lead series 1-0

The St. Louis Blues – the last year’s Stanley Cup winner and the team with the best point percentage during the 2019-20 regular season in the West - still couldn’t get their first win in Edmonton. This time they had been defeated by the Vancouver Canucks, who scored three goals in the third period, taking a 1-0 lead in series.

Today’s Games

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – Lightning lead series 1-0

3:00 PM ET; NBCSN, TVAS, SN, SUN, FS-O

The Lightning will try to double their advantage on the Blue Jackets and avoid going to extra periods. No updates on Steven Stamkos and Jan Rutta statuses yet.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vegas Golden Knights – Golden Knights lead series 1-0

5:30 PM ET; NBCSN, TVAS, SN360, ATTSN-RM

The Golden Knights remain unbeaten in this year’s postseason and look to keep it tonight against the Blackhawks who struggled against more organized team than the Edmonton Oilers

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins – Bruins lead series 1-0

8:00 PM ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, SN, NESN, FS-CR

Both teams will play their second game in two days. James Reimer might start the game for the Hurricanes after an inconsistent game by Petr Mrazek yesterday.

Calgary Flames vs. Dallas Stars – Flames lead series 1-0

10:30 PM ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, FS-SW

After staying on the bench in Game 1, former Lightning goalie Ben Bishop might start tonight’s game to give Anton Khudobin a rest

Other News and Notes

The Pittsburgh Penguins informed the Minnesota Wild that they decided to keep the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, which means the Wild will get the Penguins’ 2021 first round pick.

The Penguins have also parted their ways with assistant coaches Sergei Gonchar, Jacques Martin and Mark Recchi.

The Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour was fined for comments he made following the loss in the overtime to the Boston Bruins.

The Toronto Maple Leafs players and management held the first press conference since the elimination in the qualifying round by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Our colleagues from Pension Plan Puppets blog have a detailed recap