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Series wrap-up: Stamkos and Matthews battle it out in Leafs win

 Manuel Sperandio-Lemay
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Series wrap-up: Stamkos and Matthews battle it out in Leafs win

Last night was the second wave of games number 3 (usually one of the most important games in a series), and let’s just say we weren’t disappointed in terms of spectacle.

Here’s what happened in yesterday’s four series.

1. Maple Leafs escape with crucial win

After Game 1 of this series, the Leafs were roundly criticized and ridiculed.

They were downgraded without showing any emotion or intensity.

So things weren’t looking good for Toronto.

However, Sheldon Keefe’s team bounced back in Game 2, and the Leafs also came out on top in Game 3, the first close game of the series.

The Leafs won 4-3 in overtime against the Lightning in Tampa Bay.

It’s a very big win for the Leafs, especially considering they were completely dominated in overtime.

It was Morgan Rielly who gave the Leafs the win late in the first overtime period.

It’s even more of a feat for the Leafs to have gotten their hands on this game, given that the Lightning were only one minute away from winning 3-2.

Defenseman Darren Raddysh’s magnificent first career playoff goal could have been the winner.

It was a very close game with a lot of intensity, even between some surprising players.

Steven Stamkos threw down the gloves in front of Auston Matthews, who didn’t look like a guy who wanted to fight.

This is the first time in history that two 60-goal scorers have battled it out. So the intensity really kicks up a notch in this series.

This “brawl” occurred after Morgan Rielly tackled Brayden Point hard along the boards.

A very strong and dangerous collision that sent Point to the dressing room.

He was back in the game a few minutes later, however, as if nothing had happened.

Point even scored a goal that was disallowed because the referee had already blown his whistle.

It clearly should have been a goal, and it would have completely changed the look of the game.

In short, Toronto is doing very well and can count itself lucky to be ahead in the series.

I’m thinking, though, that the Leafs have to win some games to lose the series in 7 as usual.

The Leafs lead the series 2-1.

2. Devils avoid the worst and win a first game

After losing both their home games to start the series, the Devils absolutely had to win game number 3.

Well, that’s exactly what they did, winning a very close game 2-1 in overtime.

Dougie Hamilton gave the Devils the win with a superb shot.

Jack Hughes scored the Devils’ first goal.

For the Rangers, it was none other than Chris Kreider who scored the team’s only goal.

It was his 5th of the series in just three games.

Also of note, young Akira Schmid was in front of goal for the Devils, as he played his first career playoff game.

The 22-year-old Swiss turned aside 35 of the 36 shots he faced.

The Rangers lead the series 2-1.

3. Winnipeg’s spectacular comeback comes to nothing

The 1-1 series moved to Winnipeg, where the playoff atmosphere is simply electric, with the entire crowd in white.

The Knights, however, were not impressed by this atmosphere, taking a 4-1 lead after two periods, thanks in part to two goals from Jack Eichel.

Eichel also picked up an assist.

In short, all was well for the Golden Knights after two periods, but the Jets hadn’t said their last word.

Indeed, the Jets overcame that three-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime.

Adam Lowry tied the game late on.

Unfortunately for the Jets, it was all for naught, as early in the second overtime period, Michael Amadio capitalized on a horrible turnover by Dylan Samberg to put the game away.

It’s a shame for the Jets, who had really come back into the game despite losing their best defenseman, Josh Morrissey.

In fact, we learned after the game that Morrissey had a knee injury, and would not play again in the series against the Knights.

This is a huge blow for the Jets, who must now turn to Neal Pionk, who had quite a game yesterday in Morrissey’s absence, playing no less than 41 minutes (41:08).

The Golden Knights lead the series 2-1.

4. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen take care of the Kraken

Yesterday was the first series match in the history of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena.

It was Jayden Schwartz who scored the first playoff goal in this amphitheater.

The Kraken quickly took the lead, surprising everyone again against the defending champions.

However, the Avalanche wasted no time in getting back into the game, thanks in part to Nathan MacKinnon.

Cale Makar then added to his tally in the second period with a blistering shot.

However, once again, Seattle showed that they were not to be taken lightly in this series, and that they were capable of competing with the defending champions.

The Kraken scored two goals in 19 seconds.

Unfortunately for the Kraken, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen weren’t going to let the game go Seattle’s way so easily.

In the end, the Avalanche won 6-4, spoiling the Kraken’s home opener in the playoffs.

The Avalanche lead the series 2-1.


Overtime

– Here are yesterday’s results.

– Here are the top scorers of the evening.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– On the program today: three games number 4.

(Credit: Google/NHL)
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