We will have at least two of the most exciting spectacles in hockey. San Jose and Boston were each in 3-2 holes coming into Game 6, but both teams pulled out road wins to force Game 7 on Wednesday night. That puts both Vegas and Toronto in tough spots, as they will now have to go to those cities in order to advance to the next round. Those are the big stories on Monday, but there’s plenty of action on and off the ice this time of year.
Back to Boston. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/2YRSaQkKPc
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 22, 2019
Brad Marchand came up big for Boston in Game 6 in Toronto. Marchand netted two goals and added an assist in the Bruins’ 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs to force Game 7. The winner of this series could very well be the favorite in the East if Washington ends up losing to Carolina, but they have to avoid a first round exit.
#SJSHARKS WIN 2-1 IN DOUBLE OVERTIME TO FORCE GAME 7!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/TWgmsZ63cp
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 22, 2019
The San Jose Sharks looked dead after falling behind 3-1 in their series with the Vegas Golden Knights, but San Jose won on Thursday and kept themselves alive with a double overtime win over Vegas in the wee hours of the morning. It was the first multiple overtime game of the playoffs, and there will be tired legs on Tuesday.
Every Sharks player doesn't just owe Martin Jones a beer. They owe him a keg. (via @NatStatTrick) pic.twitter.com/8BjI9FLzuY
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) April 22, 2019
Martin Jones has received a lot of flak over the years, but he put on a performance for the ages in Game 6. Jones set a team postseason record with 58 stops on 59 shots in the double-overtime win, and he robbed Vegas of the franchise’s first-ever closeout win on home ice.
Nik Ehlers. Fracture in right leg. Patrik Laine back issue during the year, "small" groin injury during the playoffs – "nothing I couldn't handle."
— Murat Ates (@WPGMurat) April 22, 2019
The only time NHL teams are honest with their injury reports is once they are eliminated from the playoffs. Winnipeg announced that Nik Ehlers suffered a leg fracture in Game 5, and Patrik Laine was bothered with back issues throughout the year. Laine will rest his back and not play for Finland at the World Championships in May.
The finalists for the Norris Trophy are in.
Find out who wins at the 2019 #NHLAwards presented by @Bridgestone! pic.twitter.com/b8KmmrSA16
— NHL (@NHL) April 21, 2019
All three finalists for the Norris Trophy might not make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Calgary’s Mark Giordano and Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman are already out, and San Jose’s Brent Burns could be next. Hedman and Burns have won the last two Norris trophies.
Top Stories
- Marchand, Bruins top Maple Leafs to force Game 7 | NBC
- After exhausting Game 6 win, Sharks focus on recovery: “Guys will be ready” | San Jose Mercury News
- Facts and Figures: Jones sets Sharks playoff record for saves | NHL
- Laine had back injury throughout season | TSN
- Burns, Giordano and Hedman up for Norris | TSN
