NHL playoff scores 2017: Postseason old guards fall on elimination Saturday

Oh, how the mighty NHL powerhouses have fallen this postseason.

Saturday saw three of the league’s best teams get eliminated as the curtains start to close on the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Wild, the Canadiens, and the Sharks said goodbye to their 99-plus point seasons after disappointing and frustrating playoff showings.

Minnesota’s exit was ultimately unsurprising given they needed to win four straight games to advance, but it’s still quite incredible just how badly they were shut down by Jake Allen early in their series with the Blues. The goals eventually came for the Wild, but it was too little too late as St. Louis snagged the 4-3 overtime victory out from a two-goal Minnesota comeback.

As for Montreal, their demise also comes at the hand of an incredible goaltending performance. Henrik Lundqvist ended the series for the Rangers with a .947 save percentage having out-dueled Carey Price of all people. The Canadiens end the postseason with just 11 goals scored, and none by their captain Max Pacioretty.

In San Jose, the Sharks just weren’t able to keep up with the fresh legs of the Oilers. While the Sharks touted experienced NHL veterans, their age showed in stark contrast to the speedy Oilers forwards. We knew the window was closing in San Jose, but not many expected it to shut this fast.

Which means, of course, the Oilers, Blues, and Rangers are making the second round. Just like we all predicted.

Blues 4, Wild 3 (OT)
Rangers 3, Canadiens 1
Oilers 3, Sharks 1

1. Bruce Boudreau continues to be the unluckiest head coach alive

It wasn’t a Game 7 goaltending snafu that got Boudreau this time, but an extremely hot Jake Allen. If it felt like the series was lopsided, you’d be absolutely correct. The Wild averaged 36.4 shots per-game to the Blues’ postseason-low 26.8. Minnesota threw everything they had at Allen, but the goaltender stole three games and by the time he came down to earth, it was all but over for the Wild.

Which is why we sympathize here with Boudreau.

2. Changes could be swift in Montreal

The post-game quotes from Canadiens’ captain Pacioretty weren’t pretty. Though the forward had just one point in six games, he’s been a 30-plus goal scorer in five of the last six regular seasons. Blame will likely fall to him from management, fans, and media, but it’s quite clear where he believes the fault lies.

3. Two breakaways were the difference for Edmonton

Remember the speed we mentioned? A pair of mistakes for the Sharks turned into pucks in the back of their own net as the Oilers were allowed to get a pair of back-to-back clean breakaways. The 2-0 score held until the Sharks made it interesting in the third period, but those breaks cost San Jose in the end.

Eric Staal left Game 5 after a scary fall into the boards that had him admitted to the hospital. At last check, the forward was released from the hospital after being in stable condition.

Mats Zuccarello scored the game-tying and game-winning goal for the Rangers. Quite the performance.