The Stanley Cup might be working on its tan this offseason. While three of the four conference semifinals are tied 1-1, Carolina is up 2-0 on the New York Islanders. The Hurricanes have shut down the Islanders with some great defense, and they have a chance to take a virtually insurmountable lead when they host New York in Game 3 on Wednesday. We’ll take a look at that series and more below.
Nothing seemed to be going right for the Hurricanes in Game 2 – until it did, in an instant.#TakeWarninghttps://t.co/3dUacNcksY
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) April 29, 2019
Winning ugly in the postseason is a requisite for any Stanley Cup contender, and Carolina did just that on Sunday afternoon. The Hurricanes only managed to put 18 shots on goal, but they scored twice in the span of 48 seconds at the start of the third period and held on for a 2-1 win. Warren Foegele continued to be a hero with his fifth goal of the postseason.
Report: Hurricanes G Mrazek day-to-day. MORE: https://t.co/QYHgCAhFJc pic.twitter.com/hm4NTrPv0w
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 29, 2019
Carolina didn’t escape Long Island unscathed though. Goaltender Petr Mrazek suffered a lower body injury midway through the second period, and he had to leave the game. He was replaced by Curtis McElhinney who stopped all 17 shots he faced on Sunday. Mrazek is listed as day-to-day and is questionable for Wednesday.
SERIES. TIED.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/mTmx5vtmSu
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 29, 2019
Despite a huge effort from San Jose late in the third period, Colorado managed to hang on for a 4-3 win over the Sharks in Game 2. Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog led the way with a goal and an assist each, while San Jose’s Brent Burns tallied two goals and an assist in a losing effort.
Sharks' Marc-Edouard Vlasic: I'll 'wait for the league's apology' for no icing call on Barrie goal. 🤔 https://t.co/yndARYuyzp pic.twitter.com/tRLpxP7lCN
— theScore (@theScore) April 29, 2019
Marc-Edouard Vlasic may still feel a little sting from the NHL after the league officially apologized to Vegas after their first round series. After a questionable no-call on a potential icing, Colorado scored its second goal of Game 2, and Vlasic expressed his feelings afterwards.
Your 2018-19 Hart Trophy finalists!
Who do you think will be bringing home the hardware? pic.twitter.com/j9Z7BkOt31
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 28, 2019
The NHL capped off their finalist announcements by naming the three finalists for the Hart Trophy on Sunday. The addition of Sidney Crosby seems to be more of a lifetime achievement award, and the two favorites are Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid. Both had outstanding seasons, but Kucherov had a lot more help than McDavid from his teammates.
Top Stories
- Game 2 Recap: Canes Strike Twice Early in Third to Edge Islanders | NHL
- Report: Hurricanes G Mrazek day-to-day | TSN
- Avalanche Hold Off Sharks’ Comeback to Even Series | Sports Illustrated
- Sharks’ Vlasic wants ‘apology’ for no icing call | ESPN
- McDavid, Kucherov, Crosby up for Hart | TSN
