Stanley Cup — Calgary raises the Cup after Game 7 win

RALEIGH, NC — Elias Lindholm scored his seventh of the playoffs, Jonathan Huberdeau tallied three assists, and the Calgary Flames raised the Stanley Cup Trophy for the first time in 23 years after a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 at PNC Arena. Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves and finished the postseason with a 16-7-1 record and 2.69 GAA.

The Flames were on the brink of winning the series after going ahead 3-1. Carolina came alive and whipped together two straight wins to even the series — only to run out of steam in the decisive game.

Conference Finals — Flames win all-Canadien East showdown

Defenseman MacKenzie Weegar scored twice to fuel the Flames 3-2 win over Winnipeg in Game 6, winning the series 4-2. Center Blake Coleman also scored. Goalie Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves and improved his postseason record to 12-5-0. It will be Calgary’s first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since the 2003-04 season, and they last won the cup in 1989.

HURRICANES ADVANCE IN SIX

Frederik Andersen made 33 saves, Sebastian Aho scored and added an assist, and the Hurricanes defeated the Blue Jackets 6-5 in Game 6 of the East finals. It was Aho’s fifth goal of the playoffs and ninth assist. Anderson’s win improved his postseason record to 12-5-1 with a 2.06 GAA, and .931 save percentage. Carolina’s last appearance in the Stanley Cup was in the 2005-06 season when they defeated Edmonton in seven games.

Round 2 — Rangers go down in defeat as Canes win final two

NEW YORK, NY — The Rangers’ playoff run came to a crushing end in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-final against the Hurricanes. After going ahead 1-0 in the 1st period, the Rangers conceded three third period goals and were eliminated on home ice. To add insult to injury, Artemi Panarin left the game with a serious lower body injury in the final minutes.

The loss followed a similar defeat in Game 6 when the Rangers led, then allowed the Hurricanes to tie and force overtime. In the extra period, Paul Stastny scored with 1:03 left in OT — bringing the series level.

In Game 7, New York held their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final after taking a 1-0 lead into the third, needing only to defend well. But, Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho had other plans. From the right circle, Aho snapped in the game-tying goal 4:33 into the frame. Three minutes later, Martin Necas scored the go-ahead goal from the slot. Derek Stepan added an empty-netter to seal the result.

ROUND 2 RESULTS

Winnipeg defeated Colorado 4-2
Calgary defeated Anaheim 4-2
Columbus defeated Boston 4-3

Round 1 — Rangers make quick work of Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 in Game 4 to sweep the series. After the first period ended in a 1-1 tie, New York cranked up their offense with K’Andre Miller netting a goal in the middle frame. In the third period, goals by Vincent Trochek and Ryan Carpenter put New York on cruise control. It was a another harsh end to the postseason for goalie Tristan Jarry who finished the series with a 3.24 GAA, and in his playoffs career, is 2-9-1 with a GAA of 3.08.

Igor Shesterkin earned all four wins for the Rangers. He allowed 6 goals for a GAA of 1.54. Now in his third playoffs, Shesterkin is registering a 2.44 GAA in 25 playoff games. He is still seeking his first playoffs shutout.

Filip Chytil was the team’s 1st-round leader in points (5) and tied Trochek in goals scored (3). Chytil is credited with two game-winning goals including the winner to end overtime in Game 1 (Rangers won 3-2).

Caps, Wild sent home early

Both of the top seeds, Washington and Minnesota, were forced to pack their bags early after each lost their 1st-round series. The Wild put up a fight, taking the series against  Winnipeg to a seventh game, but Jets winger Blake Wheeler (Playoffs: 10 PTS, 5 G, 5 A) and his team would not be denied. 

WASHINGTON A NO-SHOW

The Capitals didn’t seem to put up much of a fight. They were swept by the Hurricanes. Only Alex Ovechkin came to play — leading the Caps with 6 goals and 7 points. No other player scored more than one goal in the series. Nikolas Backstrum did not post a goal at all, and finished with a minus-1.

1st-Round Results
Colorado defeats Nashville, 4-1
Anaheim defeats Seattle 4-2
Calgary defeats Las Vegas 4-1
Boston defeats Detroit 4-2
Columbus sweeps Tampa Bay 4-0