If you watched the NHL playoffs on Saturday, you came away with the distinct impression that both Eastern Conference semifinals are going to go to Game 7.
NHL playoff scores 2016: Penguins, Lightning even series with strong Game 2 efforts
These two teams could be tough to put away.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Which is funny, because both winners were vastly superior to the losers for long stretches after losses in Game 1.
The Lightning got the first crack at redemption. Their opening loss on Thursday was the hardest of the final four series: their goalie got pulled, their defense got exposed, and they struggled to mount a comeback.
None of that narrative got replayed in Game 2. Tampa Bay flipped the script with two goals in the opening frame to take a lead they never relinquished. Tyler Johnson scored twice, Ben Bishop was steady in net and the Lightning's defensive game only allowed three shots on net in the final period. For the first time all playoffs, John Tavares was silent.
One of the NHL's other stars was just as quiet in the evening game. Alex Ovechkin followed up his one-point game in Game 1 with a scoreless performance in Game 2. His Capitals were shut down for most of Game 2 against the Penguins, with only five shots on net in the first two frames. Washington beat the Penguins at their own run-and-gun game in an overtime Game 1 win; the Penguins seemed intent in Game 2 to prove they could win low-scoring affairs like the Capitals. And they did.
Two completely different games, two series, two Game Twos, and two strong indications we're in for a long two weeks of Eastern Conference semifinal hockey.
Scores
Lightning 4, Islanders 1
Penguins 2, Capitals 1
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3 things we learned
1. Jonathan Drouin is fitting in seamlessly
When Steven Stamkos went down with an injury late in the season and Drouin was called up as a replacement, Lightning fans had to wonder how long it would take for the 21-year-old to get up to speed. It didn't take any time at all. Drouin is already the offensive catalyst the Lightning feed off of, keeping plays alive in the offensive zone and power play with his speed and creativity on the puck. He scored his first playoff goal on Saturday and assisted on Victor Hedman's score.
2. The Penguins and Lightning can dominate their opponents
At certain points in both games, the eventual winners were giving their playoff partners nothing to work with. Tampa Bay kept New York to just eight shots in the last two periods; the Penguins outshot the Capitals 30-10 through two.
3. Brooks Orpik probably should've stayed home
Besides the hit (which we’ll get to here in a second), Orpik was a drain defensively all night. At one point he was on the ice for 11 Penguins shot attempts and zero Capitals shot attempts. He also factored in both goals against, meaning he was involved in four of the five Penguins goals in the series so far. Getting suspended might be the best thing for the Capitals at this point.
Impact Moment
That hit we were talking about? It knocked Olli Maatta out of the game and likely left him with a concussion.
Tweets from Tony
Remember Tony, AKA @soloucity on Twitter, who fell in love with hockey during the Blues/Blackhawks Game 7? We're dedicating a section in our recaps to the gems of his Twitter account during the playoffs.
Saturday was not about what Tony said. It’s about what he did:
I'm screaming @soIoucity pic.twitter.com/c2wUjdY300
— mohamad m. ali (@moesdeph) May 1, 2016
Stat of the Night
Evgeni Malkin (0-1—1) has collected at least one point in all six games since returning to @penguins lineup in Game 2 of FR vs. NYR (3-6—9).
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 1, 2016
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