And so we have two series in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs going to Game 7.
First up, Pittsburgh vs. Columbus.
Another 4-3 game, though this time it's the series-clincher for the Penguins.
Evgeni Malkin had a hat trick. Both goalies had 24 saves, so even though neither had that many shots sent his way, both were rather sub-par.
All in all, not a particularly impressive series win for the Penguins, especially given Montreal's sweep and the Bruins 4-1 demolition of Detroit with Tuukka Rask being incredible from start to finish.
But Pittsburgh moves on and that's the most important thing. Also, their opponent is yet to be decided. So they gain the advantage of rest. Assuming that's actually an advantage.
Pittsburgh wins the series 4-2. They face the winner of NY Rangers/Philadelphia.
Next, Colorado vs. Minnesota.
It's funny, even with Matt Duchene returning from injury, most of the Avalanche players one would expect to do great things did nothing in Minnesota again. Ryan O'Reilly continues to make things happen when the other guys can't, assisting on both goals. Paul Stastny scored one, so his line wasn't completely lost in the wilderness.
Interestingly, Varlamov only had 18 saves and three goals allowed. Minnesota put two in the empty net late in the third period, which don't count against Varlamov but do make the end result look more lopsided.
Game 7 between these two...well, it's hard to say what will happen. I'm inclined to think that since it's in Denver that the Avalanche will just roll right on through to the second round easily. But maybe there'll be some trouble. I don't know for sure.
The series is tied 3-3. Game 7 is Wednesday.
Finally, San Jose vs. Los Angeles.
The Sharks are falling apart in front of our eyes.
Despite the switch from Niemi to Stalock...yeah, that didn't make a damn bit of difference, now did it? Sure, Stalock was fine through two periods, but then the levee broke in the third period.
Even with Game 7 in the Shark Tank, I'm exceptionally bullish about the Kings' chances to win. And I'll admit, that pisses me off. If there's anything I wanted to see in the first round, it was the Kings getting swept.
Of course, San Jose couldn't hold up their end of the bargain, with a shaky Niemi becoming untenable in net. But now that Stalock flubbed his chance to win the series, there doesn't really seem to be a third option.
And now Jonathan Quick has rediscovered his form. So the Sharks have problems.
The series is tied 3-3. Game 7 is Wednesday.
Later today, Game 6 in Philadelphia. With a win, the NY Rangers move on to face Pittsburgh.
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