Kreider's 3rd-period hat trick lifts Rangers into Eastern Conference Final with win over Hurricanes
Chris Kreider had a third-period hat trick to help the New York Rangers erase a two-goal deficit and beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 to close out the second-round playoff series in six games and advance to the Eastern Conference Final.
Vesey puts New York ahead, Krieder scores 2, Rangers beat Bruins 7-4 in matchup of East's top teams
Jimmy Veseyโs goal put the Rangers ahead late in the second period, Chris Kreider scored twice and Jonathan Quick made 27 saves as New York beat the Boston Bruins 7-4 in a matchup of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Driedger gets third shutout as Panthers beat Lightning 4-0
Chris Driedger stopped 30 shots to record his third shutout of the season, Juho Lammikko scored a short-handed goal, and the Florida Panthers secured home-ice advantage for the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the regular season finale for both clubs.
Lightning stay unbeaten at home with 3-1 win over Red Wings
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 30: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning looks on during a game against the Nashville Predators at Amalie Arena on January 30, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)TAMPA, Fla. โ Barclay Goodrow scored a pair of goals and the Tampa Bay Lightning remained undefeated on home ice with a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Goodrowโs second goal of the game was the 6,000th goal in Lightning franchise history. Tampa Bay extended its point streak against Detroit to 19 games (18-0-1) and has won 16 consecutive regular-season home games against the Red Wings. Tampa Bay Lightning: At Nashville Predators on Monday.
Lightning Effect: Skilled NHL teams add grit to go for Cup
Rewind to 2019 and early 2020 and that description fits the Tampa Bay Lightning, who added some grit and toughness to their talented core and went on to win the Stanley Cup. The Lightning effect was clear as soon as NHL free agency opened. โYou need guys that are going to have a little bit of sandpaper. โWe maybe have taken a little bit of a step back from the most skillful lineup weโve ever had to more of a balance between the will and the skill," Poile said. We certainly have a little bit more physicality, a little bit more grit and I think itโs probably and hopefully a better mix than we had last year.โ___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
NHLs final four have gotten deeper with plenty of newcomers
Chandler Stephenson won a Stanley Cup title two seasons ago with the Washington Capitals, the team he was still playing with at the start of this season. He was fired by San Jose in December and hired a month later after the Golden Knights parted ways with Gerard Gallant, the coach who took them to the Stanley Cup final in their inaugural season two years ago. Tampa Bay's free-agent additions last summer were Maroon and veteran defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, then defenseman Zach Bogosian became available in February when Buffalo terminated the 12-year veteran's contract. I think guys like Patty (Maroon), guys like Barclay, they kind of allow us to play with our chests a little bit puffed out. New York hasn't been to a Stanley Cup final since 1984, a year after winning its fourth title in a row.