The first round is getting closer to wrapping up. After last night’s action, four teams (one Eastern Conference and three Western Conference) have moved on to the second round. Three series are already going the distance, while we’ll find out if one needs a Game Seven tonight.
The Night that Was:
While watching a few other teams come back on their opponents, the San Jose Sharks said to themselves that something like that wasn’t going to happen to them. Things started well for them too as Kyle Wellwood opened the scoring in the second as they left the first period scoreless, and the second with a 2-1 lead over the Kings. Los Angeles would tie it up 18 seconds in to the third, and the two teams would exchange goals to send it to overtime—the third game of this series to require an extra session. Things ended early though, as just two minutes in the Sharks big line made sure that things would not go to a seventh game as Joe Thornton’s second of the series locked up a 4-3 win. Thornton had two points in the win as Antti Niemi made 26 saves in the 4-3 victory, while Jonathan Quick finished the series with a .913 save percentage despite a 3.16 goals-against average in a losing effort.
The Tampa Bay Lightning were one of those teams hoping to come back and force a seventh game in their series, and Monday night was their chance. While Pascal Dupuis opened the scoring, Teddy Purcell tied it up with less than four minutes to go in the period, and Sean Bergenheim scored the only goal of the second. Despite the third-period effort of Jordan Staal, Steve Downie and Ryan Malone both scored in the third and Dwayne Roloson made 27 saves, 12 of them coming in the final frame, as Tampa Bay won 4-2. Steve Downie and Ryan Malone lead the way in scoring with three and two points respectively, while Staal scored just his first goal of the series and first since April 5th. Game seven goes Wednesday.
The Injury Bug:
-As reported yesterday, Tim Connolly won’t play for the Sabres in Game Seven, but Derek Roy is likely to suit up.
-Bryan Bickell has seen his playoffs come to an end. Despite scoring in Game Six, Bickell has been playing with torn wrist tendons, and he had delayed the surgery as long as possible. If he had waited any longer, the wrist wouldn’t have healed properly.
-David Desharnais is out of Game Six with a sprained knee while James Wisniewski is questionable, as Paul Mara skated in his spot at practice yesterday.
What’s on Tonight?
The Montreal Canadiens find themselves in a must-win game if they want to go seven games with the Boston Bruins; the Bruins lead the series 3-2. Buffalo and Philadelphia’s feisty series comes to an end tonight as someone has to win in Game Seven in Philly, and the same can be said about Vancouver and Chicago. The back and forth series that has captured everyone’s attention ends tonight in Vancouver.
News and Rumours Around the League:
-Mike Richards will not be suspended for his hit from behind on the Sabres’ Tim Connolly. The hit occurred in Game Six and knocked Connolly out for the series. Richards was only given a two-minute boarding penalty.
-The finalists for the Norris Trophy were announced as Detroit’s Nik Lidstrom, Nashville’s Shea Weber, and Boston’s Zdeno Chara were announced as the three finalists. Two of those three are in the second round of the playoffs, while Chara’s chance to move on is tonight.
Your Top Playoff Performer of the Night:
Steve Downie’s three-point night earns the award. All of his points came at even-strength leaving him at a plus-three rating, while he scored the game winner and assisted on the first two goals Tampa scored.
You can follow Bryan on Twitter at BryanThiel_88.