Isles     3

Canes  1

Game 4 took place in Carolina and the predictabale happened. Many GM's had these Isles as a series winner with a few so bold to take them to sweep Carolina. Well, after 3 games the Isles were fortunate to have won a game let alone be leading in the series yet that is where they were. This game marked the return of a now rested A. Vasilevskiy which always bodes well for New York and this game was no exception. Vasilevskiy was treated to basically a night off as well as Carolina didn't create much in the way of offense putting just 24 shots on goal. When you need overtime to beat him with 66 shots you aren't likely to win with just 24 and that was made painfully obvious in this one. The Islanders weren't exactly world beaters in this tilt either managing just 28 shots but they got a late PP goal and the empty netter to steal both games in Carolina. The fat lady isn't singing yet but she is certainly warmed up heading back to New York with the Islanders 1 win away from advancing. New York up 3-1

CBJ        4 (3OT)

Flyers    3

Jacob Markstrom are the only 2 words you need to hear here....(see what I did there?) A game that goes that long can and will have a shit ton of potential turning points and momentum shifts so there are several approaches to determining why teams won or lost. This game simply has no chance of ever going that long or past regulation for that matter without the standout play of Markstrom. Columbus was outshot 36-22 through 3 periods on the road yet continued to keep his team in it until they were able to generate enough offensively of their own to force the overtime session. The three overtime periods were very even however so it was a battle to see who would crack first and it was I. Sorokin and his Flyer mates. Columbus got a PP opportunity around the halfway point of the frame and made no mistake stealing away Game 4. Apparently nobody can win at home so back to Columbus tied at 2

Red Wings    2

Bruins           3

Well....well...well. GM Greg rolled the dice going back to the dance with who got him here and it paid off in a huge way. A noticeably fatigued J. Saros was back again between the pipes for Boston and the home side seemed to draw from his unselfish play. Despite trailing by a goal after a period Boston just continued to battle and tied it up heading to the third at 2. This is where the real magic took place for Boston as Saros was just unbreakable turning away 20 third period shots alone while his teammates were only able to generate 10. No matter however as 1 of those 10 managed to bulge the twine to give Boston the unlikely win and take them to the cusp of advancing to round 2. This series returns to Detroit where the Wings will hope to extend the series now down 3-1

Habs      2

Leafs     4

So this is the game you win that although you are happy you won you clearly realize that it is embarrassing that you did! GM Garrett will take a win any way he can get one as will the Toronto faithful but this was a game that wasn't close. Montreal outshot the Leafs in their own barn to the tune of 23-4 in the first enroute to a early 2-0 lead. The Habs would continue to outshoot Toronto the rest of the way finishing with a 45-24 shot advantage for the game yet it was Toronto that would score 4 unanswered goals and steal away a game they had no business winning. The under siege J. Gibson was clearly the first star of this one and he and the Leafs will take this one and hope for better in Game 5. Montreal heading home up 3-1