That’ll do it for the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Senators and the Capitals sent, respectively, the Bruins and the Maple Leafs home.
For Ottawa, it was Clarke MacArthur who emerged as the overtime hero, giving the Sens the chance to take on the Rangers. Captain Erik Karlsson also revealed that he’s been playing with two hairline fractures in his left heel. [Silver Seven Sens]
The series winner. #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/hKf4vddOfx
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 23, 2017
The Caps and the Leafs also needed extra time to settle the score in Toronto. Auston Matthews put his team on the board with this goal…
Forget the bounce for a second, just look at the liftoff Auston Matthews gets on the puck here to make it 1-0 Leafs. pic.twitter.com/sKpPqB6HBo
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) April 24, 2017
… but Marcus Johansson and the Caps prevailed in OT and will advance to face the Penguins in the second round of the playoffs. [Japers’ Rink]
A crazy night comes to a crazy OT finish.
The @Capitals are moving on. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/UFk8ixZUqI
— NHL (@NHL) April 24, 2017
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In Stars-related news, here’s an update on prospect Roope Hintz.
As expected, Stars prospect Roope Hintz joins Finland’s camp for the World Championship. https://t.co/CO1yqLt7JC
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) April 23, 2017
John Stevens is the new head coach for the Kings. [Jewels from the Crown]
Which Vezina finalist—Sergei Bobrovsky, Braden Holtby, or Carey Price—should take home the hardware? [The Hockey News]
There have been a few surprises in store for fans this postseason. [Toronto Sun]
Here are this year’s Lady Byng finalists.
Your 2016-17 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy finalists, everyone! #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/cUvjrIw7Ng
— NHL (@NHL) April 23, 2017
Good news for Penguins fans: Forward Chris Kunitz has returned to practice. [TSN]
Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler has also returned to practice. [Sportsnet]
A look at what went wrong for the Wild and what—if anything—they should do to address those problems. [Hockey Wilderness]
Thirty-two-year-old defenseman Brent Seabrook says he still has “a lot of good years” left. [Chicago Sun-Times]
And finally, hockey is weird. Happy Monday!
what pic.twitter.com/8Q6jG6Ka7p
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 24, 2017