NHL playoffs 2015: Blackhawks, Islanders, Flames take series leads

After a week or so without controversy or real palpable playoff hockey anger, emotions have begun to boil over as teams feel the specter of elimination closing in on them. Across all four games on Sunday, violent hits and energetic chirping ruled the night as team’s captains secured series leads for their teams.

Ah, angry playoff hockey. It’s good to finally see you again.

The score would hold well into the third period, where the Flames scored two more goals to seal the victory and take a 2-1 series lead.

We kid, we kid. But it certainly isn’t a stretch to say Lack has pretty much stolen the starting job for himself, especially as the playoffs continue. He put on another strong performance on Sunday through two periods, the latest in a string of them this series. He was bettered by Hiller on Sunday night, but both netminders have played well during this series. You could make the argument that the final two Flames goals had more to do with the defense in front of him than Lack’s play himself.

But Cameron ended up making a mistake in the third that cost his team the lead. When the Senators coach left his fourth line and third defensive pairing on the ice on an offensive zone faceoff, the Canadiens gained possession and charged down the ice to tie the game.

2. Craig Anderson should be the way forward for Ottawa.

It’s hard to work out what’s worse: Wearing a suit made of dragon fabric, or willingly hanging dragon fabric in your home? Okay, that’s unfair. If you’re REALLY into dragons then who are we to throw shade at your shades?

Before you make the mistake of assuming this is some haute couture fabric let’s end that thought right now.

Chicago now leads the series 2-1.

1. Darling made the most of his start.

Never forget to change your batteries before a playoff game, folks!

That’s probably not the worst thing Ovechkin has heard in his career. But chirping the NHL’s best goal scorer after you beat him is a power move, Mr. Clutterbuck.

1. Braden Holtby made an impact.

The first 10 minutes of Game 2 were spent almost entirely around the Washington netminder’s crease. It seemed inevitable that the Isles would score, but Holtby turned everything aside with ease. If he hadn’t, the game wouldn’t have been close enough for the Capitals to tie things late.

For the first time since the 2008-09 season, there will be NHL playoff hockey in Calgary. The Flames snapped a five-year postseason drought and will host their first playoff game since losing to Chicago in the quarterfinals half a decade ago. Calgary will host the Vancouver Canucks in Game 3 of their series on Sunday, and the teams are tied 1-1 after splitting the first two games in Vancouver.

The matchup between Calgary and Vancouver has proven to be a close one this season. The teams split the regular season series 2-2 before trading the first two games of this series. Calgary opened the postseason with a 2-1 win to steal home-ice advantage, but the Canucks evened the series in Game 2 with a convincing 4-1 win. Despite the bounceback win, Vancouver will now need to steal a game in Calgary to regain the home-ice advantage in the series.

The crowd at Nassau Coliseum is expected to be electric, as the arena is hosting its final Islanders playoff series before the Isles move to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn next season.

The other absence in the game will be Chicago goalie Corey Crawford. Nine goals allowed in four periods resulted in Crawford’s benching in Game 2, opening the door for backup Scott Darling. In his relief appearances this series, Darling has stopped all 42 shots he’s faced. He could be the guy Chicago needs to turn the series around.