There has been a lot of hockey already played in a couple of the series on tap today, and it is only game two. Settle in for another full slate of playoff hockey this afternoon.
Here’s what’s on tap for today’s games. We’ll use this as an open thread for today’s games.
Columbus Blue Jackets (7) at Tampa Bay Lightning (2)
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Best of 7: Tampa leads 1-0
Time: 3:00 pm ET
TV: NBCSN, SN, TVAS, SUN, FS-O
Team Sites: The Cannon, Raw Charge
What an event game one was to open this round of the playoffs. Numerous records were set but the big question is how much will either team have recovered after their marathon on Tuesday night will be the story in this one. Tampa came away with the win and remove the proverbial cannon from their backs, but they expended a lot of energy to get it and if they come out flat they could find themselves tied to it again real quick. John Tortorella will no doubt have his team mentally prepared to move on from game one, but can they physically rebound from it well enough to grind out a win here today?
Chicago Blackhawks (8) at Vegas Golden Knights (1)
Rogers Place, Edmonton
Best of 7: Vegas leads 1-0
Time: 5:30pm ET
TV: NBCSN, SN360, TVAS, ATTSN-RM, NBCSCH
Team Sites: Second City Hockey, Kinghts on Ice
Vegas did what everyone expected Edmonton to do to Chicago, use their speed and skill to frustrate and at times dominate. The Blackhawks did not look out of place in game one but they did look somewhat overmatched, particularly when dealing with the Vegas’ line of Jonathan Marchessault, Paul Stasny and Reilly Smith.
Carolina Hurricanes (5) at Boston Bruins (4)
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Best of 7: Boston leads 1-0
Time: 8:00 pm ET
TV: , NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS, NESN, FS-CR
Team Sites: Canes Country, Stanley Cup of Chowder
If Columbus/Tampa game one was a marathon then Carolina/Boston was a half marathon after eating a plate of hot wings. In the first round against the Rangers we saw the good side of Carolina’s ultra-aggressive style. Yesterday we saw the bad side as they looked aggressively disorganized, especially on the back end. Boston on the other hand looked like a team trying to “flip the switch” but were not fully there yet. They dominated play at times and found just enough offense to win but they are not firing on all cylinders yet. With this being the third straight day both teams wake up preparing to play hockey it will be interesting to see who is able to find their focus quicker and can capitalize on the other team’s mistakes.
Calgary Flames (6) at Dallas Stars (3)
Rogers Place, Edmonton
Best of 7: Calgary leads 1-0
Time: 10:30 pm ET
TV: , NBCSN, CBC, SN, FS-SW+
Team Sites: Matchsticks & Gasoline, Defending Big D
Game one was a roller coaster of interesting. Calgary raced out to a 2-0 lead and most figured that it was going to be more of the same from a struggling Dallas squad. Then the Stars found some life in the second period on a couple soft goals to tie it up before Rasmus Andersson far side, top corner snipped a shot past Anton Khudobin to take the lead and Calgary hung on for the win. Dallas looked better and showed signs of breaking out of this funk they have been in since the restart but they better find that break out soon and Calgary Is not the easiest team to regain lost composure against.
