Review of Monday’s playoff hockey action
What did we learn from Monday’s round 1 games
There was amazing action Monday night which saw an amazing comeback completed by the Carolina Hurricanes – and that game included a fight, who doesn’t like that? – as well as Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid stealing the spotlight.
Let’s review what happened on Monday, April 22.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins – Game 2
No matter what stage of the series we are in, everyone will be tuning in for the Leafs.
It was much closer than game 1 and very tight-checking as most of the games will be in this series.
Auston Matthews was all over the scoresheet on this one as he had a point on each of the Leafs three goals as he finished the night with one goal – the eventual game winner – and two assists in their gutsy victory over the Bruins.
Matthews receives a lot of flack for his postseason performance but tonight, those thoughts were at the very back of Leafs minds as they celebrated all through the night.
This might go down as Matthews’ best playoff performance to date.
You are never in trouble unless you lose on home ice. This was the best result for the Leafs splitting the series as they moved onto Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Something Bruins fans will be happy about is David Pastrnak getting on the board as he snapped a six game goalless drought after he received an insane pass from Pavel Zacha. Don’t let Pasta get hot.
With Matthews’ tally to put the Leafs ahead, that meant game 2 was the first time this season that the Maple Leafs have held a lead against the Bruins. Just a testament to how the Bruins play.
New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes – Game 2
What a comeback from the Carolina Hurricanes!
They don’t call them the Cardiac Canes for no reason.
The Canes saw the Canucks score two goals in 12 seconds to beat the Predators in game 1 of their series and said hold my beer as they scored two goals in nine seconds!
The Islanders had this series tied at 1-1 until they didn’t. It happens so fast.
The Hurricanes are now in control of this series being up 2-0 however you can never count the Islanders out due how structured their defensive game is – which seems like a hard sentence to write given they just gave up a 3-0 lead.
The Hurricanes broke the Islanders record which was 81-0 in playoff games when they lead by 3+ goals.
Do the Islanders turn to Ilya Sorokin for game 3?
Maybe more importantly, the Islanders need to put the rubber towards the net…badly!
Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars – Game 1
Mark Stone, who has taken on a villain role in the league and especially come playoff time, made his impact known right away scoring the game’s opening goal 1:23 into the game.
Stone finished with the second-most ice time among Golden Knights forwards at 17:09 just behind Jack Eichel’s 20:04.
The two big trade deadline acquisitions made their presence known as well. Noah Hanifin had two assists and finished with 24:08 TOI which was the most amongst Golden Knights defencemen and Tomas Hertl scored his first Golden Knights playoff goal.
The rookie sensation, Logan Stankoven, was very noticeable in game 1 as he pickpocketed Mark Stone en route to feeding Jason Robertson for the Stars second goal.
It’s going to be hard for the Stars to limit the power that the Knights possess with how skilled they are.
For the Stars to be more successful in game 2, they must limit the turnovers. In game 1, the Stars led the turnover department 9-2.
As well, the Golden Knights blocked 20 of the Stars shots they put towards the net.
Someone get some ice packs for the Golden Knights players!
Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers – Game 1
Have a night, Zach Hyman!
Hyman recorded his first career playoff hat trick which ended up being the 13th playoff hat trick in Oilers franchise history.
Connor McDavid finished with five points and all of them were assists – because of course they were.
Monday was also McDavid’s first career five point night in the playoffs.
Stuart Skinner remained sharp throughout the game.
The Kings looked outclassed once again. They weren’t able to generate much offensively and allowing the stars on the Oilers to take over the game certainly didn’t do them any favours.
When Adrian Kempe scored to cut the deficit in half – 4-2 at the time – there might have been some scare in the building but that was quieted with Leon Draisaitl’s marker 1:08 into the second period.
We still have not had playoff overtime yet which is crazy.
Here is the schedule for Tuesday, April 23:
Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers – Game 2
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers – Game 2
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets – Game 2
Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks – Game 2
