Jets   2

Vegas 3

The Cinderella Jets made an historic run to qualify for this years dance to Lord Stanley but did midnight arrive already? Boosted by this run the Jets came out flying and scored just 1:21 into the first period and stunned the home crowd before they could even get comfortable in their seats. This Vegas squad however was undaunted in their task and despite trailing 1-0 at the end of the first had taken control of the game outshooting their opponent 15-8 in the process. It was more of the same in the second period as the Knights kept coming putting another 17 shots on goal, this time they were rewarded for their efforts with a Power-play goal and 2 at even strength to completely take control up 3-1. The third period was a tight checking snore fest as Vegas simply took the life out of the game allowing just 4 shots against. The Jets did manage to get a goal to inch closer but 4 shots simply is not enough and despite the score being close, this game wasn't! Jets look to try and grab some momentum back trailing 1-0.

Oilers  5

Ducks  2

This game featured 2 of the best in McDavid and Draisaitl only here they are facing each other and not together on a line! Unlike the previous 1 goal affair between the Jets-Vegas this game was actually much closer then the score indicates. Edmonton came out of the gates quickly pumping 14 period shots on the Duck net and despite being the better team exited the first tied at 1. The Ducks came out for the second a different team and found their legs rebounding by putting 17 shots of their own on goal. The Oilers managed 12 shots over that same period but apparently their shooters were sharper on this night as despite being outplayed for much of the second headed to the room up 4-2. The third period both teams took turns trying to take control with both having some success but once again it was only the Oilers shooters that found the net with the game ending 5-2. In a very hotly contested game we see a lopsided result. Of note neither McDavid nor Draisaitl registered a point....hmmmm. Ducks look to salvage something on home ice down 1-0

Kings   3

Aves    4

In the "am I in" or "am I out" game the answer is simple.....out! Another anomaly sim game where a score doesn't at all reflect the game. In a nutshell Colorado came out and shit-kicked the visitors from LA for 2 periods and found themselves heading deep into to the third trailing 3-2. Despite obvious frustration from the likes of Rantanen and Mackinnon Colorado played a more controlled third period until Mackinnon finally got one to go to tie it. This game appeared headed for overtime when an unlikely hero emerged in the form of Vlad Gavrikov batting an off the end boards rebound past a stunned A. Raanta. Colorado outshot LA all 3 periods for a total of 43-24 overall...this game wasn't close at all but could you imagine the elation both GM Rumpy and special assitant to the President Sumit would have felt stealing that game away? It was not to be however and game 2 on the horizon with LA trailing 1-0

Stars    2

Hawks   4

What is going on in Big D? So GM Junya has transformed his Dallas team into a 2 time Cup champ by keeping games close and choking the life out of high powered offenses. Ben Bishop has repeatedly kept Dallas in games they should have been trailing in but is this year different? Let's not get ahead of ourselves as this is simply one game of lord knows how many to be played but Junya got Junya'd this evening. Dallas was the better team for much of the evening and this game really could have gone the other way but Mikko Koskinen was having none of it stopping 39 of the 41 shots against. The Blackhawk offense has be good all year and 33 shots for is usually enough for them to secure a win. Dallas scored both goals on their power-play while Chicago netted all 4 at even strength which is again a troubling sign for a Dallas team that has made their name doing the opposite! This will be an interesting series to watch and see how the trends go. Of note the recently added and savvy vet Kopitar assisted on 3 of the 4 Hawk goals. Game 2 coming up with Chicago leading 1-0