The Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames are tied to each other in unique ways. Both are Canada's western-most NHL teams, and both have shared storied and intense playoff matchups in the past.
NHL playoff scores 2015: Canucks, Flames reignite rivalry while Blackhawks falter
The Flames and Canucks spoke with their fists Friday.
It appears the two teams are going to reignite those memories over the next two weeks.
For most of Vancouver's 4-1 win over Calgary on Friday, hits and scrappiness were hard to come by. That all changed in the final minutes of the third period, after both sides had had just enough of discreet slashes and hurled insults in between whistles. Scrums erupted. Dancing partners were chosen. Fists flew. Players were ejected. One player, Vancouver's Dan Hamuis, may be facing a suspension after making himself the third man in a fight.
It took long enough, but the wait for playoff passion in Vancouver on Friday was worthwhile. It was a fitting end to a highly entertaining night around the league.
Scores
Montreal Canadiens 3, Ottawa Senators 2 (OT) (MTL leads, 2-0)
Washington Capitals 4, New York Islanders 3 (Series tied, 1-1)
Nashville Predators 6, Blackhawks 2 (Series tied, 1-1)
Vancouver Canucks 4, Calgary Flames 1 (Series tied, 1-1)
3 things we learned
1. Chicago has a Corey Crawford problem.
For the second time in as many games, Corey Crawford looked pedestrian in net. As you’ll recall, Crawford was pulled in the first period of Game 1 after allowing three goals. For much of Game 2, Crawford looked markedly improved, but everything collapsed on him quickly. The Predators scored three goals in two minutes in the third period to turn a close game into a rout. Could Scott Darling start in Game 3? Should he?
2. P.K. Subban has a cannon for a shot.
3. The Capitals are resilient.
Washington wasn't playing with a full deck of cards Saturday, with Braden Holtby out with some sort of illness. And in fact, their backup goalie didn't exactly impress in his big opportunity. But Washington forged ahead, peppering the Islanders with scoring chance after scoring chance until the dam broke and it eked out a victory. That's the kind of persistence that makes teams go places in the playoffs.
Impact moment
The Canucks-Flames rivalry might have reignited, but it won't come without some punishment after Dan Hamhuis was the third man in on a fight late in the third period. That's a huge no-no, and something you wouldn't expect from a veteran like him.
GIF Hamhuis third man into this fight pic.twitter.com/F3YF3aTATr
— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) April 18, 2015 Stat of the night
Corey Crawford has given up nine goals in his last four periods. That’s not the kind of postseason performance anyone expects from him after two Cup runs.
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