Game recaps, results of the NHL Draft lottery, updates on Shea Weber, Scott Darling, Petr Mrazek, Braden Holtby & more.
Game Recaps and Playoff Headlines.
TRIBLIVE.COM/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Sidney Crosby scored twice and appeared to shake off a scary-looking collision with Carl Hagelin to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers, squaring their best-of-seven series at a game apiece. Chris Kunitz enjoyed a three-point performance for the Penguins. Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard and Rick Nash tallied for the Rangers.
Vladimir Tarasenko celebrates one of his three goals against the Minnesota Wild.
STLTODAY.COM/TWINCITIES.COM: Vladimir Tarasenko picked up his first career playoff hat trick leading the St. Louis Blues to a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, tying their best-of-seven series 1-1. Blues goalie Jake Allen made 24 saves for the victory.
THE TAMPA TRIBUNE/THE DETROIT NEWS: The Tampa Bay Lightning tied their best-of-seven series 1-1 by downing the Detroit Red Wings 5-1. Tyler Johnson scored twice, Valteri Filppula, Steven Stamkos and Nikita Nestorov collected two points and Ben Bishop made 23 saves for the Lightning. Despite giving up four goals in 18 shots in Game Two, Petr Mrazek will be in net for the Red Wings in Game Three.
Note: Game involving Canadian NHL teams are recapped in “Canadian Corner.”
CHICAGO TRIBUNE/THE TENNESSEAN: The Chicago Blackhawks will start Scott Darling in goal for Game Three against the Nashville Predators, who must cope without captain Shea Weber (lower-body injury) for Games Three and Four.
THE WASHINGTON POST/NEWSDAY: Braden Holtby will return in goal for the Washington Capitals in Game Three of their series against the New York Islanders, who are looking forward to loud fan support as the series shifts to Long Island’s Nassau Coliseum.
Notable Headlines
NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers won the NHL Draft Lottery on Saturday, giving them the first-overall pick in the NHL Draft on June 26-27 in Sunrise, Fl. It’s expected they’ll use that pick to select Erie Otters center Connor McDavid, ranked the top North American prospect. The Buffalo Sabres will have the second selection and the Arizona Coyotes third overall. The remainder of the draft order among the non-playoff clubs remained unchanged.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Sabres GM Tim Murray was disappointed his club didn’t win the draft lottery, though they get a terrific consolation prize with the second-overall pick, which they are expected to use to select Boston University center Jack Eichel.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murray comparing not winning the lottery to getting a phone call saying you didn’t make the cut for Team Canada probably didn’t sit too well with the Eichel camp. Hey, Tim, we know you’re disappointed because you’ve coveted McDavid for a year, but at least fake being pleased you’re getting Eichel, who in a normal draft year would be the de facto top prospect.
NEWSOBSERVER.COM: Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis has big plans for the future and will be patient in implementing them.
THE DENVER POST: Jarome Iginla was an asset, not an issue, for the Colorado Avalanche this season.
Well Don Cherry’s wish for the hockey gods to even things out for firing Ted Nolan just got answered.
Murray was choked that his tank strategy backfired and he didn’t get to pick Mcdavid but did anybody notice the train crash of disappointment on Mcdavid’s face when he discovered he was going to the frozen north instead of Buffalo or Toronto where his family and friends live?
I just hope Strome is available when the Leafs pick in June as I can see Arizona scooping him up fast otherwise.
I think Murray does have a small case for sour grapes, I don’t think anyone could hold back their disappointment in the fact that the team that has pick first overall FOUR times outta the last SIX drafts…
I don’t get why everyone is claiming the Sabres tanked this season. This was something that started two seasons ago when they started trading away good roster players for picks and prospects. It wasn’t like they finished the season last year and thought “Oh, hey! We can sell off the farm and try and snag this generational talent! Yippie! Fire everyone and trade whos left!” They knew they had to rebuild, and they did so in earnest. Now, if you wanna talk intentional tank….let’s discuss Toronto