The Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators came out with desperation to tie their series at 1-1 while the New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers won close games to go up 2-0.
The Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators came out with desperation to tie their series at 1-1 while the New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers won close games to go up 2-0.
New York Rangers hold on to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3
A fairly even game that combined for 11 penalties saw the Rangers win both home games to start the series. Each team's first goal of the game came at even strength before special teams took over the game. Mika Zibanejad and Jack Roslovic scored power play goals for the Rangers. With less than five minutes left in the second period, K'Andre Miller scored a short-handed goal to give the Rangers a 4-2 lead. The insurance goal was crucial because Tom Wilson was able to pull the Capitals within a goal in the third period.
Sergei Bobrovsky and Carter Verhaeghe combined to help the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in overtime
The Panthers stormed out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Sam Bennett and Vladimir Tarasenko. The Lightning bounced back in the second period with goals from Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos. The score was tied at two with under six minutes remaining when Bobrovsky likely made the save of the playoffs.
In overtime, the Panthers struck quickly. Verhaeghe scored his fifth-career overtime goal in the playoffs.
The Colorado Avalanche explode in the second period to beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2
Former New Jersey Devil Miles Wood got the scoring started for the Avalanche with a quick goal off of an offensive zone faceoff. Mark Scheifele restored the lead for the Jets before Artturi Lehkonen, former Devil Zach Parise and Josh Manson scored three unanswered goals to go up 4-2. The Avalanche limited the Jets' opportunities in the third period and Valeri Nichushkin iced the game with an empty net goal.
The Nashville Predators made the best of their limited chances to win 4-1 over the Vancouver Canucks
Another low-event game between the two teams saw the Predators finish with 16 shots and the Canucks finish with 18. The Canucks are without Thatcher Demeko and the Predators took advantage. Anthony Beauvillier scored early in the first period and the Predators held onto that lead for the rest of the game. Filip Forsberg and Colton Sissons scored in the second period before Kiefer Sherwood ended it with an empty net goal.
Game 3 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins is back in action tonight as the series heads to Toronto. The Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings will look to get themselves back into their series against the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers.
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