NHL Playoff Recap: Goalie Woes, Tkachuk's Triumphant Return, and Series Shifts
- Pre Game Sports
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Last Night’s NHL Playoff Highlights
Florida Panthers 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 – Game 1
The long-awaited "Battle of Florida" FINALLY commenced, and the Panthers dominated from the outset. Matthew Tkachuk, returning from a two-month injury hiatus, made an immediate impact with two goals and an assist. Florida's special teams were flawless, converting three power-play opportunities. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky contributed with 20 saves. In contrast, Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy endured a challenging night, allowing 6 goals on 17 shots for a .647 save percentage, marking one of the lowest in playoff history. The lowest being a .636 save % (4 goals on 11 shots) by Pekka Rinne in 2017.
Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Ottawa Senators 2 (OT) – Game 2
The Maple Leafs secured a 2-0 series lead with an overtime victory against the Senators. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz continued his stellar postseason performance, making 26 saves and maintaining a .928 save percentage over the first two games . Stolarz's consistent play has been a cornerstone for Toronto's success in the series.
Carolina Hurricanes 3, New Jersey Devils 1 – Game 2
The Hurricanes extended their series lead to 2-0 with a solid win over the Devils. Jordan Martinook scored a pivotal shorthanded goal in the second period, while goaltender Frederik Andersen made 26 saves to secure the victory.
Minnesota Wild 5, Vegas Golden Knights 2 – Game 2
The Wild bounced back to even the series at 1-1 with a commanding win over the Golden Knights. Minnesota's offense was relentless, and goaltender Filip Gustavsson provided stability in net. Vegas's Adin Hill had a tough game though, allowing 4 goals on only 16 shots, resulting in a .750 save percentage. A performance that he will look to quickly forget when the Knights take the ice for game 3 in Minnesota on Thursday 4/24/25.
Tonight’s NHL Playoff Games – April 23, 2025
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Montreal Canadiens – Game 2, 4:00 PM PT
The Caps aim to take a commanding 2-0 series lead against the Canadiens.
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche – Game 3, 6:30 PM PT
With the series tied 1-1, both teams look to gain the upper hand.
(3) Edmonton Oilers vs. (2) Los Angeles Kings – Game 2, 7:00 PM PT
The Kings lead the series 1-0 and seek to extend their advantage on home ice.
Pregame Bar Crawl: Las Vegas Playoff Edition
As the NHL playoffs intensify, Las Vegas offers an electrifying atmosphere for hockey fans. Join fellow fans for a pregame pub crawl featuring exclusive drink specials at top sports bars. Whether you're cheering for the Golden Knights or just soaking in the playoff excitement, these events provide the perfect backdrop for game day festivities. Stay tuned for upcoming crawl schedules and locations!
