The NHL playoffs are in full swing, with every team playing at least two games so far in their respective series. Let’s take a look and check in on the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
Series Tied 1-1
In their first series back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011, the Buffalo Sabres are back in the playoffs and started their journey towards the Stanley Cup finals against the Boston Bruins.
The first game of the series, the Sabres went down two to nothing all the way into the third period, and with eight minutes left, that’s when the fireworks started. In the span of eight minutes, the Sabres scored four goals to take the game with a final score of four to three.
Game two, however, was a different tale. Boston jumped out to an early four to nothing lead, and withstood another late surge from Buffalo to finish the game with a final score of four to two.
The series is now tied at one apiece, and the next two games will be held in Boston, with game three scheduled to happen on Thursday, April 23rd at 4:00 PM PDT.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montréal Canadiens
Series Tied 1-1
The Canadiens are back in the playoffs, and they are starting their playoff journey against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In both games played so far, both games have gone into overtime, but each time a different team has come out the winner.
In the first game of the series, it was the young star Juraj Slafkovsky that made his statement on the series early, scoring a hattrick against the Lightning, and gave the Canadiens an early series lead.
Game two, however, was the Lightning’s turn to avoid a deficit in the series heading into Montréal. Defenseman J.J. Moser scored the game winning overtime goal, tying the series up as the series now moves to Montréal for the next two games to be played.
Game three of the series will be played on Friday, April 24th at 4:00 PM PST.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators
Carolina Leads 2-0
In the first of three sweep watches of the playoffs so far, we have the Carolina Hurricanes taking on the Ottawa Senators. The series has been only close in one game, and that was the second game of the series, where the game went into double overtime.
To push the series to a two to zero lead, Jordan Martinook scored the game winning goal over ninety minutes after the game started. After defending home ice, the series now moves to Ottawa, Senators will hope to get more out of the rest of the roster after getting a stand out performance from their goalies in the last two games.
The next game of the series will be on Thursday, April 23rd at 4:30 PM PST.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers lead 3-0
The battle for Pennsylvania has turned into a potential sweep watch, with the Flyers currently holding a three to nothing series lead against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not only have the Flyers completely neutralized the star player of the Penguins, Sidney Crosby, they have also held him scoreless through two games.
After taking two games in Pittsburgh, and one game at home in Philadelphia, the Flyers can look to eliminate the Penguins on Saturday, April 25th when the puck drops at 5:00 PM PST.