There is no rest for the weary. With the New Jersey Devils eliminating the New York Rangers last night, the Stanley Cup semifinals are set and they start today.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs 4 p.m. PT today
Florida advanced to the semifinals in dramatic fashion on Sunday, knocking off the best team the NHL has seen virtually ever. Fans of the President’s Trophy-winning Boston Bruins were stunned when the Panthers came back from a three games to one deficit to win the series.
Carter Verhaeghe scored the game winner in overtime.
US: HEY MR CARTER
SWAGGY: I AM HIM! pic.twitter.com/jXYgJbM5J1
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 1, 2023
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are now free from the stigma of wilting under pressure. After eleven failed attempts at coming out on the winning end of elimination games, the Maple Leafs moved on to the next round on Saturday. Captain John Tavares scored the game winning goal.
The two teams play game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals today at 4 p.m. PT.
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes 4 p.m. PT tomorrow
The Devils dominated the New York Rangers in Game 7 of the opening round series. New Jersey won 4-0 last night, securing the team’s ticket to the next round.
While the win was great, it’s yet to be seen what will happen to Timo Meier in the next round. Meier was rocked by a hit from Jacob Trouba in the third period. While the hit was legal by the NHL rulebook, it was tough to watch and so I won’t drop it here.
Meier briefly entered concussion protocol and returned to the game. Here’s to hoping there are no lasting effects.
On the other side of the ice, the Carolina Hurricanes dispatched the New York Islanders in six games.
New Jersey plays Game 1 in Carolina tomorrow at 4 p.m. PT.
Western Conference Semifinals
Seattle Kraken at Dallas Stars 6:30 p.m. PT today
The Kraken knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champions to cap off a stunning Sunday of hockey. The Kraken led the Colorado Avalanche going into the third period thanks to Oliver Bjorkstrand. Bjorkstrand scored both of the Kraken’s goals.
SEEEEEAAAAAATTTTTTLLLLLLLEEEEEEE
KRAKEN
GOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!
BJORKSTRAND BURIES THE BISCUIT IN THE BASKET AND THE #SEAKRAKEN lead 2-0
Bjorkstrand was credited for the first goal over Tanev, making this his second of the game.
11:00 left in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/61Su03pShA
— x – Davy Jones' Locker Room (@DavyJonesLR) May 1, 2023
The Avs thought Nathan MacKinnon scored the tying goal midway through the third, but a replay review showed the play was way offsides. The Kraken held on until the end and secured the franchise’s first ever playoff series win.
The Kraken move on to play the Dallas Stars. Joe Pavelski is expected to be back in the lineup for Dallas after missing most of the opening round series with a concussion.
The series starts today in Dallas at 6:30 p.m. PT.
Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights 6:30 p.m. PT tomorrow
The Oilers and Golden Knights both won their opening round series quickly. The Oilers knocked off the Los Angeles Kings in six games, while the Golden Knights quickly finished things off with Winnipeg Jets in five games.
Game one of the series starts tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. PT.
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