It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Pekka Rinne and Jake Allen both stole the show in their respective round one series. Unfortunately for fans of both the Predators and Blues, it seems as if that won’t be the case in round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
NHL playoff scores 2017: Goaltending was optional in wild Western Conference opening night
Two 3-1 leads disappeared in a matter of moments on Wednesday.
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Game 1 between the Predators and Blues was quite the treat for hockey fans in Nashville’s 4-3 win. P.K. Subban was the most electric player on the ice. Both Rinne and Allen allowed soft goals at inopportune times, a real change from their stoic first round performances. Nashville coughed up a two-goal lead in the third period, but gained it right back on opportunistic play.
Allen, specifically, had the gaffe of the evening after a misplayed poke check allowed Vernon Fiddler to net the game-winner with five minutes to play.
After a pair of series where the goaltenders stole the show, it’s nice to have a firewagon opener to cleanse the palette. Neither Rinne nor Allen were likely to stay that hot over the rest of the playoffs, and this series has that high-scoring, goaltending shenanigans feel to it.
If that’s how this series shakes out, we are absolutely here for it.
Scores
Three Things We Learned
1. Game 1 was P.K. Subban’s world
The stat line doesn’t lie folks, Subban was all over the ice for Nashville in their win.
That’s three points and five shots. Add some classic Subban passion and you’ve got yourself a game.
2. Special teams played a big role in Anaheim...
The first three goals scored in the Ducks vs. Oilers barnburner were all tallied on the power play.
Mark Letestu got two and Corey Perry got one as Edmonton has seemingly found Anaheim’s weakness.
3. Until all hell broke loose in the third
Another 3-1 lead disappeared as the Oilers squandered a two-goal difference in just under five minutes. Much like the Predators, however, the Oilers responded with a goal from Adam Larsson — his second of the game — with four minutes to play.
Impact Moment
Kevin Fiala was stretchered off in the early moments of the second period in a scary situation in St. Louis. The Predators forward was awake and stable after being transferred to a local hospital after this scary collision into the boards.
Conn Smythe Watch
Leon Draisitl’s three assists and empty-net goal were just as key to the Oilers’ win as Subban’s play was to Nashville’s.
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