Saturday night was supposed to be all about Connor McDavid. Instead, it belonged to the man many have compared him to over the last six months.
2015 NHL playoff scores: Crosby ends playoff drought, Tarasenko notches hat trick
Sidney Crosby stole the limelight back from Connor McDavid on Saturday.
Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
NHL's evening began with the news that the Edmonton Oilers would draft first overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In all likelihood, they will pick Connor McDavid, the 18-year-old phenom considered the best prospect since Sidney Crosby.
With that in mind, it was fitting that Crosby followed that up with a performance to remind people why he's the guy they should still be paying attention to. After going 20 postseason games with only one goal, Crosby scored twice on Saturday in New York to ensure the Penguins return to Pittsburgh with their series knotted at 1-1.
The goals were timely, gritty and pretty all at the same time. It was vintage Crosby, and a good sign moving forward. After all, a thrilling Crosby makes the already thrilling NHL playoffs that much more fun to watch. McDavid can wait.
Scores
Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Detroit Red Wings 1 (Series tied, 1-1)
St. Louis Blues 4, Minnesota Wild 1 (Series tied, 1-1)
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, New York Rangers 3 (Series tied, 1-1)
Anaheim Ducks 2, Winnipeg Jets 1 (ANA leads, 2-0)
3 things we learned
1. Tampa Bay figured out Petr Mrazek.
That was the Lightning offense everyone was expecting. After Detroit's goalie stymied them in Game 1, the Bolts came out shooting in Game 2. They can thank Tyler Johnson for the re-invigoration, as the sophomore star was a force in the attacking zone all night with six shots and two goals. As the series heads back to Detroit, the Wings have to be worried they can't keep pace with the Lightning's offense.
2. Vladimir Tarasenko single-handedly took over Game 2.
Minnesota had no answer for the young St. Louis Blues winger on Saturday. Tarasenko recorded his first career playoff hat trick in a 4-1 win for St. Louis. He’s shown all season that he can willfully dominate a game, and the Blues must be ecstatic to know that applies to playoff hockey as well.
3. The Ducks and Jets are battered and bruised.
They must be, after a second straight game with more than 60 hits between the two of them. And we’re not talking about gentle shoves in the corner. No, each hit leveled in Anaheim on Saturday was punishing, brutal and just mean. It made for a low-scoring game, but also an intimidating event to watch.
Impact moment
The Ducks are the comeback kings for a reason.
Stat of the night
Adam Pardy's goal was his first in NHL playoffs, first with #NHLJets, first since 2011. Has 4 in 315 regular-season games. Ah, the playoffs.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) April 19, 2015 See More:
