The Calgary Flames became the third team eliminated from the playoffs on Friday when the Colorado Avalanche beat them 5-1 to close out the series. The top teams in both conferences are now out of the playoffs, making this year’s Stanley Cup a wide open affair.
Second Round has been calling and the @Avalanche have answered. #StanleyCup
NHL x @CoorsLight pic.twitter.com/e49IreWkmR
— NHL (@NHL) April 20, 2019
For the first time in 11 years, the Colorado Avalanche have won a playoff series. Colorado lost the first game of the series 4-0, but the Avalanche outscored the Flames 17-7 over the last four games to move on to the Western Conference Semifinals. They will face either San Jose or Vegas in the second round.
LEAFS WIN!!!
Hard-fought to the final whistle and we’re heading home with a 3-2 series lead!#LeafsForever @adidasCA pic.twitter.com/NI9mHvOO2h
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 20, 2019
It was controversial, but the Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 2-1 win to put themselves in position to clinch their series with the Boston Bruins at home on Sunday. The game was a 0-0 tie for over 51 minutes before Auston Matthews’ goal put Toronto up 1-0. Kasperi Kapanen scored a little more than two minutes later, and the Maple Leafs held on from there.
It's… GAMEDAY! 🎉
📍: St. Louis, MO
📝 : https://t.co/mYV86AzGuy#WPGWhiteout | #GoJetsGo | #WPGvsSTL pic.twitter.com/wGgg3k19E6
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 20, 2019
The Winnipeg Jets are one of two Canadian teams left in the postseason. They are facing an elimination game in St. Louis tonight, and if they fall out of the playoffs, the Great White North is left with just one hope left to wipe out a 26-year Stanley Cup drought. Game 6 of Blues-Jets is tonight at 7 pm ET.
Lots to talk about heading into Game 6
The #SLGND podcast covers it all!
Subscribe and listen: https://t.co/2WLwaaRIHV @theDlasvegas pic.twitter.com/CJZx3RfjsA
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 20, 2019
The Vegas Golden Knights are ready to close out their series with the San Jose Sharks at home on Sunday. If Vegas gets the win, it would be the first time they have clinched a series at home after winning all of their deciding games on the road last year.
The Seattle NHL expansion group said Thursday it plans to open its arena in June 2021, ahead of the team's first season in 2021-22, possibly allowing it to host the NHL Expansion Draft and perhaps the NHL Draft. https://t.co/Ord4fWv3pr
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) April 18, 2019
The NHL will add its 32nd team in 2021 when Seattle joins the league, but the team’s new arena has already hit some snags in its construction. The projected cost of the project has gone up by around 50 percent, and it’s opening has been delayed.
Top Stories
- Avalanche knock out top-seeded Flames in five games | USA Today
- Maple Leafs edge Bruins in Game 5, push them to brink | NHL
- Jets can lean on last year’s playoff experience as series shifts back to St. Louis | TSN
- Golden Knights look to clinch playoff series at home for first time | NHL
- Seattle NHL arena opening pushed to mid-2021 | ESPN
