Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres. Everything that was just said about Dahlin also applies here to Thompson. In Thompson’s case, it might be even more important for him, given how poorly he had played over the past few games. He finished with four points (one goal, three assists) in the win.
This series is going the distance. This has been one of the best matchups of the playoffs as both teams have played a fast, chaotic and high-scoring series full of offense, momentum swings, and at times beautiful hockey. It is everything you want to see in a playoff series between two young, up-and-coming teams. It is only fitting that hockey fans get the maximum number of games out of it.
The Carolina Hurricanes. Let’s be honest, not only are hockey fans excited to see this series go seven games, but the Hurricanes have to be excited for it as well. They have been sitting around resting and waiting for more than a week now and are not only going to get almost two weeks off to rest during a playoff grind, but their next opponent, whoever it is, has had to play a grueling, seven-game series. Maybe there is a concern over some rust. But rest is also important when your opponent has none.
Saturday’s losers
The Canadiens on home ice. Montreal has one of the best atmospheres in the NHL, and the crowd has brought it for every game this season and in the playoffs. Despite that, the Canadiens have looked rather pedestrian at home, now owning just a 2-4 record on home ice in these playoffs. They have been 5-2 on the road.
If there is something for them to take away from this game, it’s that they lost Game 6 at home in the first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning before going on the road to win Game 7.
They have to repeat that script here.
Alex Lyon, Buffalo Sabres. There is nobody happier about Saturday’s result than Buffalo goalie Alex Lyon. He was lifted early in the first period after allowing three goals on just three shots, continuing Buffalo’s musical chairs goaltending situation between him and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He is the second goalie in NHL history to make zero saves while facing at least three shots in a playoff game, joining former St. Louis Blues goalie Mike Liut during the 1982 playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks. At least Lyon’s team rallied to win after he got benched.
The Canadiens no-show. This one is tough to comprehend. With an incredible crowd behind them, a chance to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Final, and with a 3-1 first-period lead, the Canadiens proceeded to get dominated over the final 50 minutes of regulation and completely no-showed one of the biggest games of the season. There was nothing misleading about that final score. Buffalo was the better team by a substantial margin, and Montreal never really seemed in it after its third goal.