Player of the Night: Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks. Pavelski was one of several Sharks to put up big numbers in their first round sweep of the Canucks. The Sharks did a lot of damage on the PP in the four games and Pavelski’s two PPG in Game 4 were huge in completing the sweep. It was looking like the series might head back to Vancouver for Game Five until Kevin Bieksa took a costly penalty in the third period. Joe Pavelski cashed in to send the game into overtime where Patrick Marleau ended Vancouver’s season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoAh4kSY6lU
Poundworthy Performances: Mark Streit (Islanders) racked up two goals and an assist in an incredible win over the Penguins. Casey Cizikas also had a three-point night for the Islanders with a goal & two assists. Brad Boyes added 3 assists as well. Patrick Sharps (Hawks) scored a pair in a 3-0 win. Jonathan Toews (Hawks) won 76% of his faceoffs. Kyle Turris (Senators) had a goal & an assist, including the OT winner.
Tilt of the Night: Evgeni Malkin & Travis Hamonic get into it
The Blue Paint: Corey Crawford (Hawks) stopped all 25 shots he faced for his second career playoff shutout. Josh Harding had to leave the game for Minnesota and Darcy Kuemper came in, making his playoff debut. Carey Price (Canadiens) stopped 30 of 32 in regulation but was injured and couldn’t come out for overtime so Peter Budaj took his place. Craig Anderson (Senators) made 26 saves in Ottawa’s 3-2 OT win. All Antti Niemi did during the regular season was pile up the wins and now he has four more to his credit after a 32 save performance against the Canucks.
First Goals: Alex Galchenyuk (Canadiens), Mika Zibanejad (Senators), Cory Conacher (Senators), Brian Strait (Islanders), and Brandon Sutter (Penguins) all scored their first career playoff goals.
Other notes: Matt Cooke’s heavy hit on Matt Carkner leads to goal. Paul MacLean’s doppelgänger makes another appearance. Matt Martin gets trapped on the Penguins bench. Cal Clutterbuck levels Brent Seabrook with a huge hit. Joe Pavelski had the broom out for the Canucks. Marc Bergevin’s reaction to the Conacher goal. The Chicago Steel drafted Jack Jablonski in the USHL Draft. The Faces of Torres: Proceed With Caution.
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