Oilers    5

Wild     0

Game 4 took place in Minnesota with the hometown Wild just looking for anything to keep their slim playoff dreams alive for another game but Edmonton was having none of it. GM Leon must have had a great pre-game chat with his squad because they came to work this evening. No let up was found at any point in this one as Edmonton took control right from the opening faceoff and never took the foot off the gas enroute to complete dismantling of this team from Minnesota. Edmonton outshot their hosts in all three periods putting 40 on goal before it ended while Minnesota was only to generate 24 of their own. That simply doesn't add up to enough when facing the high powered Edmonton offense on most nights and tonight was no exception. I am not sure if N.Schmaltz has a personal beef with the Wild or one of their players but he was particularily energetic this evening netting 3 goals for the hat trick! This match-up was viewed heavily in the Oilers favor and they proved those views accurate brooming the Wild 4-0. Edmonton gets the long rest waiting for round 2

Flames    3

Sharks    1

Following a stellar performance A. Stolarz stealing Game 3 GM Sumit went back to the well hoping for more of the same magic. Well, A.Stolarz did his part but the rest of the team forgot to show up with him. In what has to be an extremely disappointing turn of events for Shark management this effort in front of their home fans was embarrassing! After a very dull first period the Sharks left the ice tied at 1 and had to be feeling pretty good with the home crowd on their side. The second period is when the unthinkable happened however as Calgary took complete control of the game making San Jose looking like an ECHL team. Calgary outshot the home side 17-2....let that sink in a moment........yes, 17-2 in a game the Sharks needed to win on home ice. A. Stolarz stood on his head that period somehow only allowing 1 goal and keeping his team alive for the third only trailing by a goal. San Jose, to their credit played their best period in the third trying to steal a game they simply didn't belong in but the sim gods decided that the better team on this night should win! Clagary now heads home looking to close out the series up 3-1.

Av's       2

Stars     0

Junya got Junya'd! Like the Sharks above, Dallas looking to hold serve on home ice and even up their series. Unlike the Sharks above they put their best foot forward coming out of the gate with an 18 shot first period (not game for those in San Jose). Unfortunately for GM Junya and his Stars the only goal on the board after 1 was scored by M.Stone of the Av's. The Stars were suddenly on the other end of stick trying to create offense against a strong defensive opponent and were repeatedly counter-punched following turnover after turnover. To Dallas' credit everyone continued to battle in this affair taking this 1 goal game all the way till just past the midway point of the third. Nathon Mckinnon made his first appearance on the scoresheet at that point on the PP to salt this victory away. Freddie Andersen was solid as a rock in this one turning away all 33 shots faced while I. Shesterkin was the unfortunate loser making 35 saves. Like Calgary above, Colorado heading home looking to close out the series up 3-1

Blues     0

Preds    2

Ughhhhh! Was that the St. Louis Blues getting off the charter from Vegas at 4am I saw last night? I hope so because then they would have an excuse for this one then. I think GM Eric needs to have a chat with GM Leon about how to get a team ready to close out a series because this certainly wasn't it ! Nashville came into this affair looking alot like the Wild above, really had nothing going on with basically no signs of life. To that end Nashville deserves alot of credit for showing up in this one and giving their hometown fans a chance to cheer at least 1 more time. Ville Husso got the start for the Preds and basically got in a good practice as he faced a lousey 20 shots for the shutout. T.Jarry on the other hand was forced to deal with 41 shots and played exceptionally well keeping his listless team alive. After all was said and done however the Blues still head home with a chance to close the series up 3-1