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Carolina Hurricanes Sweep the New York Rangers
On Wednesday, the Rangers were swept at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. Coach David Quinn opted to start Henrik Lundqvist in the first two games of the series, because of an injury to Igor Shesterkin. For game 3, Igor was back. And while the Rangers looked better than they did all series at the start of game 3, Chris Kreider’s early second period goal wasn’t enough to put the Rangers ahead. Carolina’s offense quickly swarmed and overwhelmed New York.
James Reimer was a whiz in goal for Carolina in game 3. You have to tip your cap to Carolina’s backup goaltender. There were a few times throughout the game that the Rangers should have been up by a goal or two, but Reimer was a brick wall in the net.
Teuvo Teravainen scored in the second period, tying the game, and Warren Foegele scored a goal 5 minutes into the third period to put the Hurricanes up 2-1. Sebastian Aho sealed the Rangers fate by scoring two un-assisted goals in the third period to bury the Rangers, and secure the series victory for Carolina, 3 games to none.
Check out this incredible sequence of saves. This is all you have to see in order to understand Reimer’s level of play on Wednesday. (With a little assist from #45 Sami Vatanen)
Jake Muzzin Leaves Game Two With Scary Injury, Out for Rest of Series
With 1:52 remaining in the third period of game 2, Maple Leafs D-man Jake Muzzin fell face first into the knee of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand, and laid still on the ice with a very scary and apparent neck injury.
After being evaluated by team doctors, Muzzin started moving his arms and legs. The hockey world breathed a sigh of relief. Muzzin was laying on his back for about 10 minutes before he was soon carted off the ice by EMT’s. He was discharged from a Toronto hospital Tuesday night, and the Maple Leafs announced that Muzzin would be quarantining inside the team‘s hotel, and will not be returning for the remainder of the series.
Jake Muzzin is a two time Stanley Cup champion with the Los Angeles Kings, and was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in January of 2019. In February he signed a four-year, $22,500,000 extension with the Leafs.
Feel better Jake, we are all rooting for you.
Scheifele and Laine Out with Injuries, but Not Being Ruled out for Game 4
Winnipeg Jets centerman Mark Scheifele and right winger Patrik Laine have been out for the first three game of the Jets series against the Calgary Flames. Maybe this is the reason for the Jets early struggles against Calgary. For those of you who might be reading this who aren’t familiar with hockey, losing Laine and Scheifele for the Jets is like the Lakers losing LeBron and Anthony Davis. Obviously a huge blow to the team.
Scheifele suffered a lower-body injury during game 1, after a controversial hit from Flames right winger Matthew Tkachuk. The hit has been described by many around the NHL as “disgusting.”
Laine also left in game 1 with an upper-body injury after a hit from Flames defenseman Mark Giordano.
We all knew going into this series that Calgary was a tough, physical team. If Winnipeg has any hope of winning this series they need to figure out how to use their speed to avoid checks from Calgary, and they need to protect their two stars if Laine and Scheifele return in game 4. As of right now, both players have not been ruled out and there is a possibility they play.
Game 4 takes place on Thursday, August 6th a 10:30 PM. The Jets go into this game trying to avoid being eliminated. Calgary holds a 2-1 series lead.
Tyler Ennis Out Indefinitely for Oilers
On Monday, I wrote about a hit that Blackhawks Drake Caggiula laid on Oilers Tyler Ennis that landed Caggiula a one-game suspension. While Ennis escaped a possible head injury during that incident, he couldn’t manage to catch as big a break in game 4 when he was checked into the boards in the second period, leaving the game with an apparent leg injury.
Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach checked Ennis into the boards with 3:15 left in the second period, and Ennis’ leg twisted underneath him. After getting back to his feet, Ennis was not able to put any weight on his leg and needed to be assisted to the locker room by his teammates and a team doctor.
Edmonton and Chicago will meet again in game 4, Friday August 7th. Chicago has taken a surprising 2-1 series lead. Edmonton has struggled with injuries in this series.
Play-In Series Recap as of Thursday, August 6th
Carolina Hurricanes sweep the New York Rangers, 3 games to none.
Boston Bruins lose the No. 1 seed after two straight losses, will not finish any higher than the No. 3 seed.
Toronto Maples Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets are tied 1-1, game 3 will be Thursday, August 6th at 8:00 PM on NBCSN.
New York Islanders hold a 2-1 series lead over the Florida Panthers. Game 4 will be played Friday, August 7th at 12:00 PM.
Montreal Canadiens hold a surprising 2-1 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Game 4 will be played on Friday, August 7th at 4:00 PM.
Calgary Flames hold a 2-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets. Game 4 will be played on Thursday, August 6th at 10:30 PM.
Vancouver Canucks hold a 2-1 series lead over the Minnesota Wild. Game 4 will be played Friday, August 7th at 10:45 PM.
Arizona Coyotes hold a 2-1 series lead over the Nashville Predators. Game 4 will be played on Friday, August 7th at 2:30 PM.
Have a wonderful weekend hockey fans!
-Chris
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