Well, we are officially one night into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I have to admit, I'm not as invested as I might typically be since I am undecided who to cheer for, but it was still a great night for hockey! Lots of exciting things to talk about, so lets get into it!
Rangers @ Penguins GAME 1
- We go to Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center for Game One of this series. For the 3rd year in a row, these teams face each other. With goal tenders Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray both unable to make the start (concussion related), 3rd string goal tender Jeff Zatkoff got the last minute call to make his post season debut. A fairly back and fourth game to start, things took a turn for New York late in the first. With about 48seconds remaining, Marc Staal raised his stick during play and accidentally hit goalie Henrik Lundqvist in the eye. Almost immediately after, Patric Hornqvist's shot slipped through Lunqvist's legs, making the score 1-0 at first intermission. He sat out the rest of the game (note: his status for game 2 is unknown) Losing Henrik would be a huge blow for NY, thats for sure. Back to the game! Early on in the second, Kunitz lined up a shot, but it hit the crossbar and bounced out. With about 3mins left, Victor Stalberg attempted to tie it up for NY but Zatkoff was able to grab a hold of the puck to keep the lead. Just over a minute left in the 2nd, Hornqvist clears the puck, sending it up the ice to Crosby who takes off for an unbeatable breakaway goal. Penguins up 2-0 at second intermission. Two minutes into the 3rd, former Ranger Carl Hagelin took a double minor for high sticking, leading to a PPG for Derek Stepan. With the power play continuing, the penguins wrangled the puck down the ice for a 2 on 1, giving Tom Kuhnhackl his first playoff goal (and short handed at that!) Only 3mins later, on a PP of their own, Pittsburgh rallied to bring the score to 4-1 (goal: Hornqvist). A short 2mins later, Derek Stepan takes a pass from Mats Zuccarello and beats Zatkoff with a beautiful goal making it 4-2. 2:55 remaining, NY made the call to pull their goalie. Five seconds later, Hornqvist connects with the empty net, giving him the hat trick and securing the Penguins win. Penguins lead the Rangers 1-0
Red Wings @ Lightning GAME 1
- Off to Tampa Bay for Game One against the Red Wings, another familiar first round matchup. Detroit has now made the playoffs for 25 years in a row which is the longest active streak in the NHL, and they are tied for 3rd longest streak in NHL history. Tampa in a bit of a different position, clearly missing their star player and captain, Steven Stamkos. This game was quick to get into the action, Tampa's Nikita Kucherov beating Jimmy Howard with a stunning goal that just slips over his glove. 1-0 Tampa at first intermission. Just over two minutes into the second period, Detroit gains control of the puck after a face off to the left of Ben Bishop. A few nice passes later, Mike Green manages a nice shot that tricks the goalie, tying up the game. Just two minutes later, Justin Abdelkader beats Bishop again. Looks as if Bishop lost sight of the puck, unfortunate for the Vezina Trophy candidate. But he makes up for it when the Wings go on a power play and are held at bay with their one goal lead. Shortly after, the Kucherov/Johnson/Killorn line comes through again, tying the game going into the 3rd. About 13mins into the final period, Jonathan Drouin (who has just recently returned from an interesting media mess in the AHL/suspension) scores a beautiful goal, which is challenged and deemed to be offside. The score stands at 2-2. It doesnt take long for Killorn to remedy that withdrawn goal, his tip-in gives the Lightning the lead and him the game winning goal halfway through the third period. Lightning lead the Red Wings 1-0.
Blackhawks @ Blues GAME 1
- The Blues host the Blackhawks for game one of this series. St Louis is coming off yet another great season, but can this team pull through their playoff struggles? 3 years straight now, they've been eliminated in round one. A surprising stat to say the least when you look at the fire power and speed this team has behind it. The Blackhawks are no stranger to playoff hockey, having won the cup just last year and looking to make it two years in a row. One thing is being made clear, if you want a physical game, this is your series. Hits and blocks seemed to dominate, and that seems to be St Louis' strategy against the less aggressive Hawks. Still scoreless in the second, Toews and Kane get a 2 on 1 breakaway but are beat by Elliot who deflects the puck. Five minutes later, another breakaway by Toews, and yet another magnificent save by Elliot. Not to be outdone, Crawford holds his own in a flurry of shots by St Louis' top line. Perhaps a saving grace, Toews blocks a shot off his skate, keeping the game scoreless. Shot after shot in the third, the goalies face off against each other, no one ready to let the first goal of the game pass that line. I have to say, Elliot saving multiple breakaway shots was quite the feat and left me impressed. This is a goalie who had 3 shut outs in March, as the season was winding down. Could he help lift the Blues passed the first round this year? Only time will tell. Back to the game, Crawford makes one last save as the buzzer sounds and we go into overtime. The teams, very clearly evenly matched, fought it out for another 10mins of play, until David Backes bounces a shot off Van Reimsdyk's skate and passed Corey Crawford. A bit of a disappointing shot to end such a high action game. But so be it! The Blues walk away with a win, and Elliot gets his first playoff shut out. Blues lead the Hawks 1-0.
Seems like the home ice advantage may be coming into play this year, with all three hosting teams coming away with wins on night one. What will the rest of the series hold? What are your predictions? Comment below!
Until tomorrow!
- Jess
No comments:
Post a Comment