Chase for the Cup: 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round Up for Day Five

Two teams battled to go up 2-1 in their series last night, while two high-powered favorites had the chance to go up 3-0 in their own series.

The Night that Was:

Who would have thought that the Stanley Cup Champions would have had their backs against the wall this early? With a 1-0 lead after one period of play, Chicago looked to be turning their series around on home ice against Vancouver. Then the Canucks scored two goals nearly 50 seconds apart mid-way through the second, so the Blackhawks needed Patrick Sharp’s first of the series two minutes later to tie it up. As things moved to the third, Mikael Samuelsson’s first of the series put the Canucks up 3-2 and they would hold on for the victory. The victory wasn’t easy for Vancouver, as Roberto Luongo had to make 30 saves, many of them the game-saving variety, but they were also put into an awkward position by the returning Raffi Torres. Torres ran Brent Seabrook, catching him in the head, and only earned a two-minute interference minor. The hit will probably gain the eyes of the league’s higher-ups, so who knows if he’ll be eligible to play in Game Four with the Canucks up 3-0.

The Rangers and Capitals were a minute and forty seconds away from overtime before Brandon Dubinsky walked out from the corner and put the puck over Michal Neuvirth and off the shoulder of Karl Alzner. The teams had traded goals in the second and third, while Henrik Lundqvist was forced to stand on his head once again, making 33 of 35 saves. Alex Ovechkin was in on both Caps goals, but the hero Dubinsky added an assist for his own two-point night, as the 3-2 victory got the Rangers back into the series. Washington now leads 2-1.

It was yet another chippy game between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks, including a fight between Mike Fisher and Ryan Getzlaf. The Preds had opened the game with two goals in the first, and Teemu Selanne single-handedly tied things up in the second with a pair of his own. The teams alternated goals in the third with David Legwand and Matt Beleskey, but no one had a match for Mike Fisher’s third of the playoffs as the Preds won 4-3. Martin Erat and Ryan Suter each had a pair of points for Nashville, who opened up a 2-1 series lead with the win.

The Injury Bug:

-While note players, Refs take bumps and bruises in the playoffs as well. Chris Rooney tripped over the back of the Washington net in the second period of yesterday’s action, and hurt his leg. He didn’t return to action, and the word is the leg is broken.

–Max Pacioretty is skating on his own in Montreal but he will not be playing in the first-round series against Boston.

-Henrik Zetterberg will miss Game Three between the Red Wings and Phoenix with his knee injury.

-Andreas Nodl is questionable for Game Three of the Philly/Buffalo series while Chris Pronger will likely miss the third game.

What’s on Tonight?

Philadelphia and Buffalo resume their series tied at one with Game Three in Buffalo after Philly’s win over the weekend. Boston looks to get on the board in their Original Six matchup as things switch to Montreal as the Habs lead 2-0. Pittsburgh wants to avenge their 5-1 loss in Game Two and spoil Tampa Bay’s homecoming with a win in Game Three as their series is tied at one. Detroit looks to put Phoenix behind the eight-ball with a victory in Game Three to go up 3-0.

Your Playoff Performer of the Day:

Mike Fisher did it all last night, standing up for Martin Erat after he was leveled by Ryan Getzlaf, he scored the game-winning goal, and went 11/17 on faceoffs for Nasvhille. Carrie Underwood was very happy.

You can follow Bryan on Twitter at BryanThiel_88.