The second round of the NHL playoffs is well underway with two more series kicking off yesterday. If you’re reading this blog, you probably know that the Lightning beat the Hurricanes 2-1 to break home ice advantage and take a 1-0 lead in the series. In the late game, the Colorado Avalanche dominated the Vegas Golden Knights to the tune of 7-1. The Avs are now 5-0-0 in the playoffs.
One first round series has yet to finish, however, with Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens tonight. The winner of that game will play the Winnipeg Jets, who swept the Edmonton Oilers.
Last Night’s Games
Tampa Bay Lightning 2, Carolina Hurricanes 1 — TBL lead series 1-0
You might have heard, but the Lightning won Game 1 last night. It was a fierce battle between the Bolts and Canes that ultimately ended in a flubbed save from Alex Nedeljkovic in the third. [Raw Charge]
“The Lightning did a great job of blocking shots and staying in the shooting lanes for Vasilevskiy. Of the 69 shot attempts the Canes put on net, the Lightning blocked 18 of them. The Canes did similarly in blocking shots for their goalie, but the biggest proportion of blocks for the Lightning came in the third period (nine of 18).”
Colorado Avalanche 7, Vegas Golden Knights 1 — COL lead series 1-0
This game was a blowout by the Canes that also included a very obvious, suspendable hit (to most people) by Ryan Reaves. Reaves was given a game misconduct, a five-minute major penalty, and two minor roughing penalties for the hit and proceeding scrum, leading to the Avalanche getting a nine-minute power play. [Mile High Hockey]
“Sunday night was Game 1 for the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights, and if you’re an Avs fan, you couldn’t ask for a better performance from the team. Vegas had a quick turnaround after going to Game 7 Friday night against the Minnesota Wild. While the Avs have been off for a while after sweeping the St. Louis Blues.”
ryan reaves pulls ryan graves down by his face and then will not stop trying to make his head one w the ice. at one point he’s got his knee on his face pushing his head into the ice. graves ended up hurt seemingly bad on the play pic.twitter.com/AxMpxVCyqy
— dylan (@dylanfremlin) May 31, 2021
Lightning Links
The NHL is hoping to gain an exemption for their teams to cross the US-Canada border starting in the third round. This would mean the Canadian team won’t have to relocate to an American city for the series. [ESPN]
“The NHL and health authorities are working on a travel exemption that would allow the winner of the all-Canadian North Division and an American opponent to cross the border during the final two rounds of the playoffs, including the Stanley Cup Final, according to a report by The Canadian Press.”
Team Montreal (Bauer) beat Team Toronto (Sonnet) in the Calgary leg of the PWHPA Secret Dream Gap Tour. Marie-Philip Poulin scored this beauty. [The Ice Garden]
“In an exciting end to the Calgary Secret Dream Gap Tour stop, Montreal’s Team Bauer took home the championship, 4-2, over Toronto’s Team Sonnet. It was a tight game most of the way, with a scoreless first and a third period that was all tied up until the 5:32 mark, but Montreal pulled ahead and sealed a well-deserved victory.”
🚨 TEAM BAUER GOAL 🚨
Marie-Philip Poulin hits the water bottle when she goes top shelf here to take a late game lead. Eldridge with the assist here. 3-2 with under 5 to go. pic.twitter.com/yzKsmbDEqI
— The Ice Garden (@TheIceGarden) May 30, 2021
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones will not be signing an extension one year out from his first summer of free agency. This doesn’t close the door on the two, but Jones wants to test free agency. [Sportsnet]
“The Columbus Blue Jackets may have to add another item on their off-season to-do list. Defenceman Seth Jones is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2021-22 season, and while both sides have engaged in talks over an extension, it’s not a given that he’ll remain in Columbus beyond the next campaign.”
The Vancouver Canucks have signed top prospect Vasily Podkolzin to a three-year ELC. The Canucks believe he’ll be in the top-nine (because they really have no other options being capped out and empty on talent). [Sportsnet]
“Vasily is a competitor who plays an aggressive game,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning in a press release. “He’s effective using his size and skill to get to the net and produce offensively. We’re pleased to sign him today and look forward to adding him to our young core of skilled players.”
