(I've got the weekend recaps, MrNFL (Jordan) will return for Monday's)
Who’s one step closer to hoisting Lord Stanley? The Wrap-Around is your daily update for last nights’ NHL Playoff action.
Washington was out shot and gave the puck up 10 more times than Philadelphia, but behind the home crowd was able to pull out a 3-2 win. Nicklas Backstrom scored on a 5 on 3 power play 7:31 into the first period. Then only 1:25 into the second period, Sergei Federov scored his first goal of the postseason on a sweet backhand far side on Biron. Prospal responded for the Flyers to cut the lead in half. With five and half minutes left in the Third period, Semin scored on the power play and it looked as if Washington would have then win, but Darien Hatcher put one into the back of the net less than a minute later. Huet was able to stop a barrage and flurry of Philly shots in the final minutes of the game sealing the win for the Capitals. Game 6 is in Philadelphia on Monday.
In a typical game so far this series, the Canadiens and Bruins entered the third period in a fairly low scoring 2-1 game. Higgins had score first for Montreal, Kessel tied it for Boston, and Plekanec had scored the go-ahead goal 7:43 into the second period. However, Boston burst out for 4 third period goals to win the game. After tying it at two, Montreal took the lead. Boston again scored to tie it at three, and Phil Kessel scored the go-ahead goal just three minutes later. Montreal was quick to respond, just eleven seconds later as Chris Higgins took a pass from Saku Koivu and buried it. The Bruins just would not go away, and with Thomas down and sprawling, Marco Sturm skated around him and shelved the puck for a 5-4 lead that they would hold on to until the end. Game 7 is in Montreal on Monday night.
Shorthanded in the first period, Joe Sakic found Ben Guite 8:02 into the game for the first goal. The Wild waited until 36 seconds into the second period before Aaron Voros scored to tie the game. Minnesota would need the next goal in the game to have a shot at tying the series up, but Ryan Smyth had other ideas. Twelve minutes after the Wild goal, he scored from David Jones and Tyler Arnason to give Colorado a 2-1 lead. The third period was scoreless as Backstrom and Theodore (top two stars of the game) play excellent. The Avalanche move on to most likely play Either Detroit or San Jose in the next round.
On Tap (potential clincher in bold)
Detroit @ Nashville (Det leads 3-2) 3:00pm EST NBC and CBC
San Jose @ Calgary (SJ leads 3-2) 8:00pm EST Versus and CBC
Anaheim @ Dallas (Dal leads 3-2) 9:00pm EST TSN
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