At least three of the four Stanley Cup playoff games on Thursday night ended with a scrum and some volatile words bandied about.
NHL playoff scores 2016: John Tavares embodies the playoff spirit in a huge Islanders win
Be like JT.
Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Which is great. Because that’s the kind of passion and intensity required of any Stanley Cup playoff game. But that means players are quickly getting a lesson in when physicality becomes unnecessary or even detrimental to their teams.
Every game featured that aspect. Shayne Gostisbehere and Wayne Simmonds committed costly penalties late in their loss to the Capitals because they couldn't keep their frustrations in check. The Minnesota Wild threw a few cross-checks when their defeat to the Stars became apparent. And the Panthers tried to body slam Islanders captain John Tavares whenever they crossed paths.
But Tavares also represents the other side of that playoff coin we saw on Thursday: pure skill and thrill you get only come playoff time. Tavares was sensational, not only the best player on the ice in Sunrise, Fla., but perhaps the pest individual to touch the ice in any game on Friday. He got pummeled, dished it out some himself and shrugged the rest off to create highlight-worthy scoring chances that helped his team win.
It was the perfect balance of the things that make playoff hockey great. Give each team and each player a few more games under their belt and you’ll really see the best of the NHL playoffs start to emerge. It’s going to be a fun two weeks.
Scores
Capitals 2, Flyers 0
Islanders 5, Panthers 4
Stars 4, Wild 0
* * *
* * *
3 things we learned
1. If the Flyers get swept, they’ll go down swinging
Philadelphia had plenty of reasons to get frustrated on Thursday. They were held to four shots for most of the last two periods, lost their best defensive player to a bad injury and (I guess most importantly) they were within reach of the Capitals for the entire game. They took out that frustration with big hits and after the whistle fights and scrums (two of which, to Simmonds and Shayne Gostisbehere, provided late penalties to kill). The parting message was clear: Philly might be the underdog, but it’s ready for a dogfight.
2. Minnesota misses Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek something fierce
The Wild were lifeless offensively against a much faster and much deadlier Stars team. Perhaps this was to be expected; the Wild are the eighth seed and Dallas the first in the Western Conference. But without their two best offensive players, this is going to be a short series for the Wild.
3. Martin Jones showed up his old mentor
Jones spent his early years with the Kings warming up the bench seat for Jonathan Quick. So it was fitting that his first playoff game as the Sharks’ number one netminder came against Quick and the Kings. And he more than passed his test. Jones made 19 saves on 22 shots, but was most spectacular in the final minutes as the Kings poured on the scoring chances. Quick was good as well, but Jones was the key factor.
Impact Moment
The Flyers were down by one goal with less than five minutes left in the game, and Capitals pest Tom Wilson laid a questionable hit on Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds along the boards. Simmonds took exception, fell for the bait and fought with Wilson. He didn't play for the last five minutes as the Flyers tried and failed to score just one goal to extend the game. Simmonds owns some responsibility for the loss.
Stat of the Night
Braden Holtby is pretty good.
Holtby (@washcaps) has allowed no more than one goal in 14 of 17 career playoff wins, including each of his last 11 since Game 6 of 2012 CSF
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 15, 2016
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