Global Courant 2023-05-07 14:01:03
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Published on May 07, 2023 • read for 4 minutes
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second round playoff series on Saturday, May 6, 2023 in Las Vegas. Photo by Steve Marcus /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The Toronto Maple Leafs could use the same kind of explosive start tonight in Florida as the Edmonton Oilers did last night in Las Vegas when they buried the Golden Knights with four goals in the first 16 minutes.
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The Leafs desperately need big games from their top performers to get back to their second-round series with the Panthers, who are leading 2-0 without playing a game at home.
Here are five things you should know about the NHL playoffs:
OILERS STEAL THE MAGICI’S SPOTLIGHT
If you ask about headlining magic shows in Las Vegas, the names David Copperfield, Shin Lim, and Penn and Teller are at or near the top of the list. You could add the Edmonton Oilers after last night’s performance when they wiped out the Vegas Golden Knights’ discipline, power play and lead all in Sin City.
The Oilers pounced on the Golden Knights early and often to defeat the hosts 5-1 and take their second-round playoff series to 1-1, with the next two games back in the Alberta capital.
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Looking sloppy in a 6-4 opening series loss on Wednesday, the Oilers scored three power play goals, one short-handed marker, and two goals from Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid last night.
They beat the frustrated hosts 36-31, winning most of the battles along the boards and in the corners before the one-sided play turned into a parade to the penalty area.
After going 3-for-6 last night, the Oilers’ power play is now 14-for-25 in the postseason, leading all playoff teams at 56 percent.
LEAFS NEED A CHALLENGE GAME
The Toronto Maple Leafs are quick to remind anyone asking about their 0-2 deficit heading into tonight’s Game 3 against the host Florida Panthers that it’s a long streak.
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But the loss of the first two home games to a team more akin to last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winner and less like the wild card squad working its way into this year’s postseason should be cause for concern.
While the Leafs talk process, puck luck and one point at a time now, the Panthers – who have won five playoff games in a row – are loose and feel all the pressure is on the Leafs and whoever starts them in goal.
Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe is careful not to label tonight’s game a must-win. Instead, he calls it a major challenge. The players talk about turning the page, overcoming adversity, the confidence they play on the road and being the source of optimism in their dressing room despite the loss of striker Matthew Knies to a concussion.
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It’s W-time for the Leafs, or the word games for Game 4 will likely include sweep and next year.
DEVILS CHANGE FOR ‘GREENS VISIT
The New Jersey Devils, 2-0 down to the Carolina Hurricanes in their second-round pick, will put 19-year-old Luke Hughes on the blue line for Game 3 today, hoping a different look and extra speed will make a big difference. to make .
Devils center Jack Hughes believes his younger brother will provide a faster puck move as the Devils look to make an early jump on the visiting ‘Canes after two blowout losses in Carolina.
There is also a chance that Vitek Vanecek will replace Akira Schmid as starter in the net on Sunday. The Devils lost Game 1 5-1 and were defeated 6-1 in Game 2.
KRAKEN EQUIPPED, READY FOR GAME 3
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Jared McCann probably won’t play when the Seattle Kraken entertain the Dallas Stars in Game 3 today, but the 40-goal man is closing in after practicing with his team in a non-contact shirt yesterday.
Sidelined by a late hit by Cale Makar of the Avalanche in Game 4 of the Seattle-Colorado series, McCann is making headway, but coach Dave Hakstol said nothing is imminent regarding his return.
Hakstol, one of the finalists for Coach of the Year, admitted fatigue caught up with his squad in Thursday’s 4-2 loss in Dallas, but he was proud of his group as they earned a split in Texas and home field advantage on hit the ice. players will be rested and ready to roll tonight.
GALLANT ON LIST OF EX COACHES
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Keeping score at home, Gerard Gallant of the New York Rangers is the fifth head coach to have been fired since the end of the regular season.
Gallant joins Darryl Sutter (Calgary), Dallas Eakins (Anaheim), Peter Laviolette (Washington) and Brad Larsen (Columbus) on the unemployment line.
Gallant is off to a bad week—the losses to the Devils after opening the series with two wins in New Jersey—cost him his job, though some writers suggested calling his team lazy after a Game 4 loss and because he suggested that his team’s talent didn’t like pre-checking in the Game 7 elimination game probably didn’t help.
Gallant was a finalist last season for the Jack Adams Award as the top coach in the NHL.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on May 7, 2023.
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