Five things to know about the NHL playoffs

The Florida Panthers, who have outscored the Bruins 12-3 in their last two games, will aim to take a 3-1 series lead in Boston tonight, while the Vancouver Canucks and Oilers resume their series in Edmonton on this evening, where it snowed and Nikita. Zingeri Zadorov are forecast.

Here are five things to know about the NHL playoffs:

Funny thing about EDMONTON?

Vancouver defenseman Nikita Zadorov might need some lines before he hits the comedy circuit, but his playful spiel yesterday got some laughs, especially in Vancouver and Calgary. Edmonton? Not so much.

Asked about Game 3 tonight in Alberta’s capital, Zadorov said the Canucks are confident and don’t mind playing on the road or under pressure.

He said the Oilers have good, strong fans, adding with a big smile that there’s almost nothing else to do (in boring Edmonton) but watch hockey.

Zadorov played more than two seasons with the Flames and likely has a long list of Edmonton disappointments from that bitter rivalry. No doubt he’ll be in for some tonight from Oiler Nation.

THE AVALANCHE BROKE HOME

The Colorado Avalanche realized they were in the driver’s seat after winning a division in Dallas.

The Stars reminded the Avs last night that momentum can be a fleeting thing in the postseason.

Logan Stankoven and Tyler Seguin each scored twice as the Texans torched the hosts 4-1 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven second-round series.

Mikko Rantanen scored for the Avalanche, giving him 99 career points in 77 playoff games.

INJURY MERCHANDISE

Bruins captain Brad Marchand, whose appetite for playoff hockey is well documented, remains a question mark for tonight’s key game against the Florida Panthers.

Marchand suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday’s 6-2 loss and is uncertain whether he can play. The striker did not train yesterday.

Marchand has two assists in the best-of-seven, second-round series, which the Bruins take 2-1. He leads the Bruins with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 10 games this postseason.

“DOG BACK ON LIFE SUPPORT

The Carolina Hurricanes, pumped up after beating the New York Rangers 4-3 last night to prevent elimination and a series sweep, still have an uphill battle to reach the third round.

Only the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs have won a series after being down 3-0. The Kings were the last to do it – a decade ago.

The Canes also have to hope Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin is tired — he’s made 126 saves in the past three games.

The Rangers, the first team in 16 years to start the postseason 7-0, aim to start another winning streak on Monday when they host the ‘Canes in Game 5.

DYNAMIC DUO ON THE SHORT LIST

Leon Draisaitl rallied from a late-game decision on Friday as he scored once and added three assists, including one in overtime, as the Edmonton Oilers topped the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 to win a West Coast division.

Connor McDavid also had a goal and three assists for the Oilers, who tied the best-of-seven 1-1 after dropping the second-round opener 5-4.

With the four-point efforts, Draisaitl and McDavid each surpassed the 90-point mark in their postseason careers. Draisaitl with 37 goals, 56 assists, 93 points in 56 games and McDavid with 31 goals, 61 assists, 92 points in 56 games joined a short list of stars to reach that milestone so quickly.

The Oilers’ dynamic duo join Wayne Gretzky (43 games) and Mario Lemieux (45 games) as the fastest to 90 postseason points.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press