Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres. The whole lot that was simply mentioned about Dahlin additionally applies right here to Thompson. In Thompson’s case, it could be much more necessary for him, given how poorly he had performed over the previous few video games. He completed with 4 factors (one aim, three assists) within the win.
This collection goes the space. This has been probably the greatest matchups of the playoffs as each groups have performed a quick, chaotic and high-scoring collection stuffed with offense, momentum swings, and at instances stunning hockey. It’s every part you need to see in a playoff collection between two younger, up-and-coming groups. It’s only becoming that hockey followers get the utmost variety of video games out of it.
The Carolina Hurricanes. Let’s be trustworthy, not solely are hockey followers excited to see this collection go seven video games, however the Hurricanes need to be excited for it as properly. They’ve been sitting round resting and ready for greater than every week now and aren’t solely going to get nearly two weeks off to relaxation throughout a playoff grind, however their subsequent opponent, whoever it’s, has needed to play a grueling, seven-game collection. Perhaps there’s a concern over some rust. However relaxation can also be necessary when your opponent has none.
Saturday’s losers
The Canadiens on residence ice. Montreal has probably the greatest atmospheres within the NHL, and the gang has introduced it for each recreation this season and within the playoffs. Regardless of that, the Canadiens have seemed fairly pedestrian at residence, now proudly owning only a 2-4 file on residence ice in these playoffs. They’ve been 5-2 on the street.
If there’s something for them to remove from this recreation, it is that they misplaced Sport 6 at residence within the first spherical towards the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier than happening the street to win Sport 7.
They need to repeat that script right here.
Alex Lyon, Buffalo Sabres. There may be no person happier about Saturday’s consequence than Buffalo goalie Alex Lyon. He was lifted early within the first interval after permitting three targets on simply three pictures, persevering with Buffalo’s musical chairs goaltending scenario between him and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He’s the second goalie in NHL historical past to make zero saves whereas going through no less than three pictures in a playoff recreation, becoming a member of former St. Louis Blues goalie Mike Liut during the 1982 playoffs towards the Chicago Blackhawks. At the very least Lyon’s staff rallied to win after he bought benched.
The Canadiens no-show. This one is hard to understand. With an unbelievable crowd behind them, an opportunity to clinch a spot within the Japanese Convention Last, and with a 3-1 first-period lead, the Canadiens proceeded to get dominated over the ultimate 50 minutes of regulation and fully no-showed one of many greatest video games of the season. There was nothing deceptive about that ultimate rating. Buffalo was the higher staff by a considerable margin, and Montreal by no means actually appeared in it after its third aim.
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