NHL Playoffs Daily 2021 – Critical Game 5 for Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators
Three teams – the Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers and the Minnesota Wild – were eliminated on Monday. Two survived. Edmonton almost lived another day, but Winnipeg knocked out the Oilers in triple overtime, sealing a series sweep. The loss sets up another long offseason for Connor McDavid & Co.
Tuesday night brings a lighter slate, with just two games. But that includes a key Game 5 game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Nashville Predators, while the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens don’t have much time to think about Monday’s game as they s ‘will face each other again tonight.
Check out the ESPN NHL Playoffs Daily to catch up on each playoff day until the Stanley Cup is distributed in July.
Find out more: Qualifying schedule | Playoff Central
Tuesday games
Game 4: Toronto Maple Leafs to Montreal Canadiens | 7:30 p.m. (Leafs lead 2-1)
The Maple Leafs haven’t won a playoff series since 2004, but have a golden opportunity to take control of that series tonight, the second half of a straight series. If you think that means Montreal can give the net to someone other than Carey Price – who is in Carey Price Playoff Mode – think again. Habs coach Dominique Ducharme has already said the 33-year-old will get the green light again on Tuesday. (The Leafs have said they will make a decision on their goaltender on Tuesday morning.) There’s extra motivation for Montreal to win this one: It would guarantee Game 6 in Montreal on Saturday. The Quebec government is allowing 2,500 fans to enter the Bell Center for this one, which would represent the first crowd for a Canadian NHL game since the start of the pandemic.
Game 5: Nashville Predators to Carolina Hurricanes | 8 p.m. (tied 2-2)
Just like the regular season, we’ve all counted the Predators. Once again, this resilient group has come back to make things interesting. Juuse Saros has faced more shots (181) than any goalkeeper in four games so far, and has stopped 171. Saros and the Preds have been extremely effective on the penalty spot, limiting Carolina to 2 in 14 (14.3%). The Canes were the fastest and most talented team, but have now lost two in a row. While Carolina is generally praised for their deep blue line, the Canes seem to have a hard time filling the shoes of Jaccob Slavin, who hasn’t played since Game 1. “We know what’s going on. feeling good. He’s. had a feeling he could play, “said coach Rod Brind’Amour.” He doesn’t feel like that yet. “
About last night
New York Islanders 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2 (2OT) (Islands lead 3-2)
For most of that game, the Penguins were the most urgent team. Without Ilya Sorokin – who appears to have taken full control of the Islanders’ net – it could have been ugly. The Pens were even riding the right mojo from an Evgeni Malkin goal, his first in the playoffs in over two years. But the islands stuck to that, despite being dotted with 50 shots, thanks to a double overtime. Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry had rebounded from a shaky first game, but he’ll want it back. The overtime winner was the result of a reckless gift from the Pens goaltender, after which Josh Bailey beat him on the glove side. On Thursday, the Islanders have the chance to win the series in front of what should be a wild crowd at the Nassau Coliseum. Full recap.
Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Montreal Canadiens 1 (Leafs lead 2-1)
The Canadiens finally dressed rookie Cole Caufield, and he was so good – three shots on goal and one from the crossbar – you wonder why he didn’t play sooner. But the Canadiens remained stifled on offense, with Jack Campbell posting a .951 save percentage in three games. Meanwhile, Toronto is enjoying a scorching William Nylander, who scored his third goal in as many games. Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe is very happy with Nylander’s game, especially in the absence of two key forwards, John Tavares (out at least two weeks) and Nick Foligno (day to day). “I think I was most impressed with, in the third period he fought his a– off along the wall,” Keefe said of Nylander. “He’s playing a very nice all-round game for us. He gave us some very difficult changes.” Full recap.
Florida Panthers 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 1 (Lightning lead 3-2)
The Lightning have scored 19 goals in the first four games of this series. That’s one of the reasons Florida coach Joel Quenneville turned to his third goalie, rookie Spencer Knight, in Game 5. The reigning champions scored a goal on Knight in the first shot he faced. Then the 20-year-old stopped the next 36 shots he faced to seal the victory with a searing save percentage of .973. Mason Marchment scored his second goal of the series, tying his 33-game tally of the regular season, and his team remained disciplined, allowing the mighty Lightning power play just two chances in that game. Jonathan Huberdeau now has eight assists in the series. His 10 points lead all players in these playoffs so far. Full recap.
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Mason Marchment puts the Panthers in the lead in earnest with a second-period goal as Florida pushes Game 6 with a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay.
Winnipeg Jets 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 (3OT) (Jets win 4-0)
The Oilers took the lead again in the third period. It wasn’t as epic of a collapse as we saw on Sunday, but losing a game like this, in triple overtime, is just as devastating, especially when it seals a disappointing first-round sweep. Connor McDavid ultimately scored in this series, but it was not enough for his team, who will face a lot of issues in the off-season. (Most importantly: why didn’t GM Ken Holland think it was appropriate to move all-in this season?) Playing 62:07 minutes, Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse took on the third biggest load working in a Stanley Cup playoff game, behind only. Seth Jones (65:06 last summer) and Sergei Zubov (63:51 in 2003). And Nurse did it a day after playing 31:18 in Game 3. Mark Scheifele (two goals) was great for Winnipeg, but it was Kyle Connor who played the hero in the end with the winning goal. Full recap.
Minnesota Wild 4, Vegas Golden Knights 2 (Knights lead 3-2)
The Golden Knights were looking to close a home playoff series for the first time in franchise history. However, Marc-André Fleury, making his fifth straight start, unusually allowed three goals in the first period, which put Vegas in a hole. “I think if we come with the same effort we will get a different result, but we can’t lose 3-1 after the first period,” said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone. “It ultimately cost us. We failed in a few games and were able to get back on our way home, but today we just couldn’t do it.” It was basically the story of the Golden Knights, who beat the Wild 40-14. Kirill Kaprizov scored his first career playoff goal, but perhaps more interestingly, Minnesota also got a goal from Zach Parise – the $ 8 million a year veteran who was a healthy scratch when the playoffs have started. Full recap.
Three stars of the night
Spencer Knight, G, Florida Panthers
He became the first player to appear in an NCAA and Stanley Cup playoff game in the same season. The 20-year-old, 35-day-old Boston College product also became the youngest goalie to win a playoff game since Tom Barrasso for the Sabers in 1985.
Tonight’s knockout game was Spencer Knight’s seventh knockout game he’s played * this season *. Junior Worlds, Hockey East, NCAA, Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was 5-2 with a .927 save percentage in those games which included a shutout in the WJC gold medal game.
– Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) May 25, 2021
Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets
It was the first triple overtime game in Jets / Thrashers franchise history, and Connor scored the game winner. In a streak with some spectacular Connors (McDavid, Hellebuyck), the Jets’ underrated leading winger became the hero.
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Kyle Connor comes in and scores the deciding goal of the series in triple overtime to put Winnipeg past Edmonton.
Josh Bailey, RW, New York Islanders
Ahead of the game, coach Barry Trotz said he wanted more from his header line. He got it, Bailey scoring his second career playoff overtime winner against Pittsburgh (the other came in the first round in 2019). Bailey also contributed to Anthony Beauvillier’s goal in the first period. His wife’s reaction says it all.
Josh Bailey’s wife Megan’s reaction to his winner is EVERYTHING #He is pic.twitter.com/Vk4DxfKDDH
– Rob Taub (@RTaub_) May 25, 2021
Highlight of the day
Carey Price has not had the best regular season, posting a .901 save percentage in 25 starts. But the price of the playoffs is all that matters. He’s in great shape right now, although it still wasn’t good enough to steal the victory from his team on Monday night. (It would help if they scored more than four goals in their first three games.)
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Carey Price looks to be beaten, but he dives to his right and stops Jason Spezza with a stick.
Quote of the day
“It’s still hockey, isn’t it?”
– Knight, after an epic performance to win his first playoff start.
Take a bow, Spencer Knight.
The 20-year-old saved 36 consecutive shots in his #Stanley Cup Playoff debut for the @FlaPanthers. pic.twitter.com/OTtoVO7CGC
– NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) May 25, 2021