The battle of the Canadian Teams saw the Montreal Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators 4-3. Ottawa took an early lead in the 1st period but in the 2nd period there were 6 goals scored in 10 minutes! A scoreless 3rd period meant the 4th Montreal goal scored by Brian Flynn was the game winning goal.
The New York Islanders outright whipped the Washington Capitals with a 4-1 final.
The Vancouver Canucks lost to the Calgary Flames with only 30 seconds left in the 3rd period. It was a 1-1 tie before Kris Russell got one past Eddie Lack.
The only game we saw go into overtime was between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators. The Preds had a 3-0 lead at the end of the 1st period. Then Chicago answered back with 3 goals in the 2nd period, the tying goal being scored by Captain Jonathan Toews. Then is was Duncan Keith's goal in the 2nd overtime period the sealed the deal.
Here are the main differences between the regular season and playoffs
1) Overtime is more then 5 minutes of 4 on 4: In the regular season if a game goes into OT, it is played for 5 minutes sudden death, 4 on 4. Then they move to the shootout. There is also only a quick minute or two between starting OT and organizing your shooters for the shootout. In the playoffs, if a game goes into OT, the players get a full 17 minute break and hit the ice for a 20 minute period. It is still sudden death so first goal scored wins. And this can go on all night, just like it has before. In 1936, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Montreal Maroons 1-0. The teams played 116 minutes and 30 seconds of overtime hockey before Mud Bruneteau's goal won the game!
2) Hockey Ice Advantage: Home ice advantage means three things: 1) Coach of the home team gets to send out his line second to match the line the visiting team has put out 2) Home team players don't have to travel, and finally 3) The fans. Home team gets a rink full of their 7th man.
Remember hockey fans, the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in professional sports. Not only does the winning team have to play 4 rounds, they have to win 16 games! Each series is best of of 7 so first team to win 4 games moves on.
Tonight's line up looks like this:
Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins take on the New York Rangers at 4:00pm
The Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning duke it out at 4:30pm
The Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues drop the puck at 6:30 in possibly the most evenly/undecided match up of the series
and finally
The beloved Winnipeg Jets take on the Mighty Anaheim Ducks at 7:30pm
All time Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Until Next Time Hockey Fans!