The GIST: The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is officially in the books, with four teams from each conference (Eastern and Western) advancing as the conference semis get underway. Heartbreak feels good in a place like this.
Game 7s weekend recap: Somebody check on Justin Bieber because the Toronto Maple Leafs once again lost in devastating fashion, suffering a 2–1 overtime (OT) loss to their archrivals, the Boston Bruins, on Saturday. The Buds started the scoring in the third period, but the Bruins responded a minute later, with right winger David Pastrňák ultimately delivering the OT game-winner.
Elsewhere, the Dallas Stars eliminated the reigning champion Vegas Golden Knights, winning last night’s Game 7 2–1 in front of their home crowd. Center Radek Faksa lit the lamp early in the third period, sending the Stars into a second-round meeting with the Colorado Avalanche.
Second round preview: The Presidents’ Trophy–winning NY Rangers are still undefeated this postseason following last night’s 4–3 Game 1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Metropolitan Division foes clash again from the Big Apple in Game 2 tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET.
The Bruins, meanwhile, will dress for revenge as they head to the Sunshine State to face the Florida Panthers in Game 1 tonight at 8 p.m. ET. The other West semi will feature a Pacific Division showdown between the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers, their first playoff battle since 1992. The Canucks swept the regular-season series, but don’t count out Connor McDavid’s squad, who put up a flurry of goals in the first round. The Game 1 action begins Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
