Double OT, well in one game, but two OT games overall as both teams go to extra frames on Tuesday night. A great night of hockey in the books and here we go!
NHL Double OT
New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes Game 2
- Igor Shersterkin. Holy hell! 54 saves! Absolutely wild. The Rags goaltender stood on his head in a way we simply have not seen a goaltender do so within these playoffs. Shersterkin is playing like the best goalie left in these playoffs and it has given the New York Rangers a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. It has been 29 straight playoff games since the Russian has given up more than 3 goals.
- The Hurricanes are in no way shape or form out of this series. They might be if they keep taking penalties though as the Rangers power play has absolutely buzz sawed through them in the first two games. A shaky OT call aside, the Canes just need much more discipline from the entirety of the lineup if they want to hang in this series.
- Goaltending certainly hasn’t been the issue for Carolina Frederick Anderson again made 30 plus saves in game 2. It’s 2-0 but it isn’t time for panic mode yet for the Canes. Game 3 is a must win but if they continue to play well and if Jake Guentzel continues to produce, which is exactly why they traded for him at the deadline, the Canes can even up this series on home ice. It feels like we are going to need several more overtime though. This series hinges on game 3, but has the early makings of a classic.
- Vinny Trocheck: High work rate, grinder, clutch, Rangers LEGEND.
Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche
- To win a Stanley Cup, you need to steal games, that is exactly what the Colorado Avalanche did on Tuesday night. Alexander Georgiev started the game about as shaky as a jenga tower, letting in two early, soft goals. The Avs then gave up a terrible 5 on 3 power play and a third goal. The Stars looked, bigger, heavier and better in the first period.
- You simply cannot put the Avalanche on the power play. The group is absolutely deadly right now. Cale Makar and Valeri Nichuskin both scored insanely timely over time goals to get the Avalanche within just one goal. Then Nathan Mackinnon buried the third to send the game to OT.
- In OT, AG was outstanding making 5-6 absolutely clutch saves. Then who else? But the man that put the Avs down three with a wildly stupid high sticking penalty but Miles Wood, slipped past the Dallas d and went backhand around Jake Oettinger to get the game winner and give the Avs a 1-0 league. Series don’t start until the road team wins and this one is underway in Dallas.
- The Stars are not the Jets, adjustments will be made in game 2 but it will be exciting to see how the second dog fight goes.
Monday Notes
- Wow the Bruins really are here to muck this thing up. Paul Maurice, Panthers head coach, will have his guys ready for game two tonight but this is set up to suddenly be a classic series. Bruins carry so much momentum right now, Bob will need to outplay Jeremy Swayman to get through this one tonight.
- Oilers Canucks is on so late. We will power through. No double OT please.