NHL scores 2017: The reports of the Tampa Bay’s playoff demise were greatly exaggerated

Just four days ago, we called Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes dead in the ground thanks to some unfortunate injuries.

Now? They live after winning three in a row! The tricky Eastern Conference was up to no good once again, as on Monday the dominoes fell exactly where the Lightning needed them to.

First, they won their game against the Rangers, 3-2, with a pair of goals from rookie Brayden Point, with his game winner coming with less than seven minutes left in the third period.

Then the Islanders allowed the Hurricanes to score eight goals — including four in a five-minute span — in their 8-4 loss, which helped the Lightning even themselves up with New York at 75 points.

Thanks to some hard work and extreme good fortune, Tampa Bay is now just one point out of the wild card spot that Toronto currently holds. It’s looking like a two-horse race now that the Flyers are falling further and further out of pace with the Islanders and Lightning.

And just when we thought it was all over after the Lightning suffered a trifecta of unfortunate injuries. Never count out the crazy that has been the Eastern Conference this year, folks. We’ve learned our lesson.

Lightning 3, Rangers 2
Blue Jackets 5, Flyers 3
Hurricanes 8, Islanders 4
Predators 5, Jets 4 (OT)
Flames 4, Penguins 3 (SO)
Bruins 6, Canucks 3
Coyotes 1, Avalanche 0
Blues 3, Kings 1

1. The Hurricanes really did score that many goals

If you can believe it, a lot of goals were scored on Monday. Making up a bunch of them was the 12-goal affair between the Hurricanes and Islanders. We’ve mentioned how Carolina turned the game around with four goals in a five-minute span, but all eight goal scorers for the Hurricanes had something in common. Their names all started with the letter “J”.

Incredibly, that wasn’t the most bizarre stat from the win. In three games this year against the Islanders, the Hurricanes have scored 20 goals. Out of their 170 scored this year, that means the Hurricanes have scored 11.7 percent of their goals on the season against the Islanders in three games.

2. Patrik Laine was at it again

With one goal in the Jets’ 5-4 overtime loss against the Predators, Laine has increased his lead in the rookie scoring race to five points over Auston Matthews. The goal was his 33rd of the season and was his 60th point in his 62nd game this year.

He also had this dandy during overtime that may not have resulted in a goal, but was a brilliant moment nonetheless.

The Calder Trophy race might just be leaning Laine’s way now...

3. Calgary’s on their way to history

The last time the Flames won 10 games in a row, they were known as the Atlanta Flames and it was 1978. After beating the Penguins, 4-3, in the shootout, the Flames have their 10th straight win and have jumped the Ducks for second place in the Pacific Division with 82 points.

Calgary is now the fourth team this season to reach a win streak of double digits, joining the Flyers, the Blue Jackets, and the Wild.

Brad Marchand singlehandedly helped the Bruins to victory with a hat trick in the third period.

Also he’s one point behind Connor McDavid for the NHL’s scoring lead. A new challenger has appeared for the Hart Trophy!