NHL playoff scores 2017: Stingy defense, goaltending have the Senators on the brink of advancing

There’s a reason people say the playoffs in any sport are a great equalizer. Take the Senators, for example. Ottawa limped into the postseason after losing seven of nine to end the month of March.

Now? The Senators are one game away from a second round Stanley Cup playoff berth.

The Senators bested the Bruins 1-0 in Game 4 of their series on Wednesday evening. Thanks to Bobby Ryan, who had the game’s only goal five minutes into the third period, Ottawa swept its two road games and has a chance to eliminate the Bruins at home on Friday.

It’s certainly not the result many were expecting, considering the Senators looked so bad coming into the postseason. Yet, the Bruins have dealt with crippling injuries to their defense — as Brandon Carlo, Adam McQuaid, and Torey Krug remain out of the lineup.

The Senators are also stifling Brad Marchand and the potent Boston offense. Marchand himself has just one point, while David Pastrnak leads Boston as the only player to reach three. Erik Karlsson continues to play out of his mind for the Senators, and that suffocating defense held the Bruins to just five shots in the third period on Wednesday.

Not to mention, Craig Anderson put up a 22-save shutout in the win and has saved 96 of the 104 Bruins’ attempts in the series.

After being unable to complete the comeback in Game 3 and putting together a less-than-stellar effort in Game 4, the Bruins are on the brink. They’ll have their work cut out for them as they head into Ottawa needing to sweep the next three games to advance.

Capitals 5, Maple Leafs 4
Senators 1, Bruins 0
Wild 2, Blues 0
Ducks 3, Flames 1

1. The most interesting series in the playoffs is even once more

Game 4 between the Capitals and Maple Leafs played out very similarly to their previous game on Monday. Washington took the early 2-0 lead, but Toronto countered. On Wednesday, however, the Capitals bent but did not break, as they pushed back and looked just as overpowering and deadly as advertised in a 5-4 victory.

The game was, of course, not without drama. Tom Wilson saved Braden Holtby, T.J. Oshie had a pair of goals, and a blown goaltender interference call almost came back to haunt the Capitals. That’s not even counting the 5-on-3 power play the Maple Leafs had to start the third after two boneheaded Capitals’ penalties.

On to Washington we go.

2. We have our first elimination of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs

Here lie the Calgary Flames and their playoff hopes. The Ducks took an early two-goal lead and didn’t relinquish it in their sweep of their Pacific Division foes. Brian Elliott was pulled after one goal, and Chad Johnson relinquished a goal just moments after being put on the ice in relief.

We’ll likely have more on the Flames’ demise, but it wasn’t pretty. Though bad luck played a factor, they also allowed a three-goal comeback to the Ducks in Game 3.

3. Devan Dubnyk has arrived

While Jake Allen has rightfully stolen the show in this series, Dubnyk asserted himself with quite the Game 4 performance. Dubnyk saved all 28 shots he faced in the 2-0 victory for Minnesota, as the Wild now have a bit of life headed back home. Though the Wild avoided the sweep, there’s still a long road ahead of them in this series.

We mentioned Wilson earlier, but had the forward not saved this shot, the Capitals may not have won Game 4.