Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres. The whole lot that was simply stated about Dahlin additionally applies right here to Thompson. In Thompson’s case, it is perhaps much more necessary for him, given how poorly he had performed over the previous few video games. He completed with 4 factors (one purpose, three assists) within the win.
This sequence goes the gap. This has been probably the greatest matchups of the playoffs as each groups have performed a quick, chaotic and high-scoring sequence stuffed with offense, momentum swings, and at instances lovely hockey. It’s all the things you need to see in a playoff sequence 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 sincere, not solely are hockey followers excited to see this sequence 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 per week now and should not solely going to get virtually two weeks off to relaxation throughout a playoff grind, however their subsequent opponent, whoever it’s, has needed to play a grueling, seven-game sequence. Perhaps there’s a concern over some rust. However relaxation can be necessary when your opponent has none.
Saturday’s losers
The Canadiens on house ice. Montreal has probably the greatest atmospheres within the NHL, and the gang has introduced it for each sport this season and within the playoffs. Regardless of that, the Canadiens have seemed slightly pedestrian at house, now proudly owning only a 2-4 document on house ice in these playoffs. They’ve been 5-2 on the street.
If there’s something for them to remove from this sport, it is that they misplaced Sport 6 at house within the first spherical in opposition to 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 objectives on simply three photographs, 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 dealing with at the very least three photographs in a playoff sport, becoming a member of former St. Louis Blues goalie Mike Liut during the 1982 playoffs in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks. Not less than Lyon’s staff rallied to win after he bought benched.
The Canadiens no-show. This one is hard to grasp. With an unimaginable crowd behind them, an opportunity to clinch a spot within the Japanese Convention Ultimate, 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 remaining rating. Buffalo was the higher staff by a considerable margin, and Montreal by no means actually appeared in it after its third purpose.
