One series met it’s end last night, while the total number of series headed to Game Sevens had two added to the total. Another exciting night of overtime action as well as the first round hasn’t failed to excite or enthrall.
The Night that Was:
The story of the first round has become a multiple choice question: A) Have the Vancouver Canucks blown it? Or B) Have the Chicago Blackhawks staged one of the most dynamic comebacks in NHL playoff history. Despite leading 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, the Canucks couldn’t hold any of those leads as Bryan Bickell, Dave Bolland, and Michael Frolik tied the game every time. Frolik’s goal was especially important because not only was it the 3-3 goal, but it was the first ever-penalty shot goal in Chicago Blackhawks history, and starter Cory Schneider left the game on the same play as his lower body seized up as he tried to do the splits on a save. That’s right, Schneider started, was felled by injury, and the game was left in the hands of Roberto Luongo. As the game transitioned into overtime both goalies were busy: Vancouver mustered 12 shots in the extra session while Chicago had 11, but it was the eleventh that finished things off as Ben Smith, who had scored one goal in six regular season games, scored his third playoff goal, the game-winner. Now things go to a Game Seven with the series tied at three on Tuesday.
Speaking of Game Sevens, there will be one coming in the Eastern Conference. Speaking of goalie changes, there was another one last night for the Flyers. Despite Michael Leighton becoming the third Flyers’ goalie to start a series, he had similar results to the other two. Leighton allowed three goals to Buffalo in the first period and Brian Boucher came in to play the rest of the game. Danny Briere and James Van Riemsdyk had second period goals to tie the game at three, but Nathan Gerbe put Buffalo up 4-3. That lead was eliminated in the third by Scott Hartnell and then, just four minutes into overtime, Ville Leino finished things off, forcing a Game Seven and prolonging the life of last year’s Eastern Conference champs. The game was marred by a hit from behind on Tim Connolly by Mike Richards that went unpenalized, which is especially important because the Flyers’ Captain ended up assisting on the game-winner. Philadelphia got Chris Pronger in this game, however he played just 4:33. Game Seven goes Tuesday.
Despite the Ducks’ best efforts, they couldn’t stave off elimination as Nashville moved on to the second round for the first time in franchise history. Nick Spaling had a pair of goals, including the game winner, while Jordin Tootoo’s outstanding series continued. He assisted on the goal that tied things at one in the first and then added one on the game-winner giving him five points in six games against the Ducks. Teemu Selanne did score his sixth goal of the playoffs (which leads the playoffs), but it wasn’t enough. Now the questions become “What does Selanne do?” (retire or not) and “Who does Nashville play?”.
The Injury Bug:
-The two injury problems for the Canucks last night were Sami Salo and Cory Schneider. Coach Alain Vigneault said that Schneider’s injury was simply cramps and he’ll be available for Game Seven. Sami Salo is a little more of a mystery as he only played four shifts last night.
-The Buffalo Sabres have already said that Tim Connolly is out of Game Seven, but the good news is that Derek Roy will be back. Roy hasn’t played since December.
-Henrik Zetterberg has said he’ll be good to go for Game One of the Conference Semi-Finals but officially he’s still questionable.
-Chicago’s Tomas Kopecky is also expected to miss Game Seven against Vancouver. He hasn’t played since Game One.
What’s on Tonight?
Tampa Bay tries to send their series with the Pittsburgh Penguins to a seventh game while Pittsburgh hopes to move on to the second round for the fourth-straight year. San Jose is in the same position as Pittsburgh as they try to hold off the momentum of the LA Kings who have a seventh game in their sights.
Your Top Playoff Performer of the Night:
Plenty of big performances like Tyler Myers’ three assists and Marc-Andre Gragnani’s two assists, or Alex Burrows’ three points, but all of those teams came up on the losing end of things. Not that winning or losing should be a determining factor, but the Nashville Predators won their first-ever series thanks to Nick Spaling. Spaling’s two goals tied the game at one and then won the game for Nashville.
You can follow Bryan on Twitter at BryanThiel_88.