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Playoffs Round Up: Farewell, Calgary

And Tampa Bay. And Pittsburgh. And Winnipeg.

This week was an emotional rollercoaster for us San Jose Sharks fans. From being down 3-1, to tying it up and forcing a Game 7, it’s safe to say we had enough on our plates and may have pushed the rest of the ‘yoff games aside. I got you covered, as four series came to a close.

Eastern Conference

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Last time we spoke, the Columbus Blue Jackets had a three-game lead on the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately their close to perfect season came to a close far earlier than they wished. The Blue Jackets were able to pull off a sweep, beating them a whopping 7-3 in Game 4.

Since falling so hard to the underdog team, Tampa has taken another blow, as Steve Yzerman made his departure from the organization official, after stepping down as General Manager last fall. I guess the good news is their goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was announced as a finalist for the Vezina trophy. Rest in peace to all of your brackets.

Meanwhile, Columbus played one heck of a series and proved everyone wrong. They’ll play whoever wins the competition between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, which has yet to be determined.

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Boston Bruins forced a Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Game 3 went down on Monday and ended in Toronto’s favor. The 3-2 win was a close one, with goals scored by Andreas Johnsson, Auston Matthews and Trevor Moore for the winning team. Game 4 went to Boston, tying this whole thing up again. Toronto got ahead of Boston in Game 5, though there were some questionable penalties that got them there. Boston didn’t back down, winning Game 6 in Toronto, thanks to two goals from Brad Marchand and one each from Jake DeBrusk and Torey Krug.

Last time we talked, Nazem Kadri was getting ready to attend a player safety hearing for his hit on Jake DeBrusk. He was suspended for the remainder of the series, but can return to the lineup if Toronto advances.

This series will end in Boston on Tuesday at 4 p.m. PT.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders

While John Tavares tries to advance with his new club, the New York Islanders are officially bound for round two! Another series that ended in a surprising sweep, the Islanders finished it off on Tuesday with a 3-1 Game 4 win. The winning team saw goals from Josh Bailey, Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson. It’s okay to admit it, Sharks fans, we still hold resentment towards the Penguins. We can celebrate this loss.

The Islanders will face the winner of the series between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals, which has yet to be determined.

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Game 3 between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals was a wild one. Carolina came out on top, winning 5-0. Anyone see that coming? From those bunch of jerks? Game 4 ended in their favor as well, with Carolina coming out on top 2-1 to tie the series. The reigning champs weren’t going to go down easy, pulling off a 6-0 victory in Game 5 to give them the series lead.

Things have definitely been chirpy between these teams. First, Andrei Svechnikov and Alexander Ovechkin went at it in a fight that knocked Svechnikov out cold. He sustained a concussion and hasn’t hit the ice since the incident. He’s been practicing and hopes to play in Game 6. The Capitals were also on the receiving end of a big injury themselves. They lost TJ Oshie after a big hit into the boards. He has since undergone collarbone surgery. He is clearly done for the rest of the playoffs.

Washington can wrap this one up today at 4 p.m. PT.

Western Conference

Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche

With the top seed in the East eliminated, it was only right the first place West Coast team was taken out as well. The Colorado Avalanche came to play for Game 3, winning 6-2. Game 4 went to overtime, but Colorado stole that one too. The 3-2 win saw two goals from Mikko Rantanen and one from J.T. Compher. Colorado made sure to make Game 5 the final game of the series, crushing the Flames 5-1. Colorado advanced to the second round for the first time since 2008!

This series was an important one for Sharks fans, because the winner would face the winner of the Sharks/Vegas series. It’s time for us to reunited with the kid from Long Beach, right guys?

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues

The series between the Winnipeg Jets and the St. Louis blues leaned in St. Louis’ favor come Game 4. The Winnipeg Jets won that one 2-1 in overtime, with goals scored by Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, to tie it up. St. Louis came out on top for Game 5, winning 3-2. They were ready to finish it off during Game 6, thanks to three goals scored by Jaden Schwartz to put them up 3-2. What a finish!

The Blues will play the winner of the series between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators.

Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars

The Nashville Predators came out on top for Game 3, giving them a 2-1 series lead. The Dallas Stars tied it up with their 5-1 Game 4 victory, thanks to Roope Hintz, Andrew Cogliano, Alexander Radulov and Mats Zuccarello. Game 5 was another five-goal win for the Dallas Stars, this time 5-3. This series has been a pretty even match up, but right now the series favors Dallas.

The Stars can end it all today at 5:30 p.m. PT.

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