Eastern Quarterfinal Nightly Recap

Eastern Quarterfinal 

New York Islanders - 4 @ Buffalo Sabres - 2

• New York leads series 2-0

They're not panicking yet, but after dropping games 1 and 2 plus losing home ice advantage you'd have to think the Buffalo Sabres are more than a little concerned.

The Islanders scored the first three goals of the game, including Tomas Tatar's first goal of the postseason which would eventually become the game winner. Buffalo scored both of their goals in the last minute of play in the 2nd and 3rd.

Dustin Brown opened the scoring from a set play off the faceoff in the Sabres zone and later assisted on Tatar's goal. He currently paces the Islanders in playoff scoring (2g, 2a)

Boston Bruins - 1 @ Florida Panthers - 5

• Florida leads series 2-0

John Gibson had another rough night in the crease as the Florida Panthers cruised to a 5-1 victory. 

Gibson lasted just over half of Game 2 (30:49) before getting the yank. Troy Grosenick stopped 13 of 14 shots faced in relief. Gibson finished the night with an ugly .750 SV% while allowing 4 goals on 16 shots. The Bruins undisputed number one goalie needs a much better showing from his teammates if they're going to get back in this series. 

Meanwhile, the Panthers seemingly scored at will, spreading the offense out with 5 different goal scorers.

Tampa Bay Lightning - 1 @ New Jersey Devils - 4

• Series tied 1-1

After dropping Game 1, the Devils bounced back with a resounding victory to even the series at 1. 

New Jersey allowed defenseman Devon Toews off the leash and he sparked the offense. He blasted a shot from the point that found the back of the net in the first period, assisted on Barkov's game-winner in the second, and pounced on a rebound to net his 2nd of the game early in the third. 

Alex Tuch scored the lone goal for the Lightning, giving him 3 goals in the first 2 games.

Philadelphia Flyers - 5 @ Columbus Blue Jackets - 6

• Series tied 1-1

The Flyers and Jackets found a new way way to thrill fans in Game 2.

After going into double overtime during the Flyers victory in Game 1, the two teams combined for 11 goals. The Jackets chased Martin Jones (.714 SV%) out of the net just 13 minutes into the first period, giving way to Alexander Georgiev. 

For their part, Philadelphia fought back after the goaltending change, managing to tie the game 4-4 early in the third period. They exhanged goals after that, Nazem Kadri scoring his first of the series on a beautiful play on the powerplay and Joonas Donskoi snapping one in during a goal mouth scramble. 

After icing the puck with just under 6 minutes to play, Columbus had some tired legs on the ice. Head coach Todd McLellan opted not to take a timeout and on the ensuing faceoff Zibanejad won the draw to Andrei Svechnikov and  hit a streaking Patrick Kane and the crafty veteran snapped home the winner off the rush.

THREE STARS

Devon Toews (NJ): 2G, 1A, +3, 2 hits, 4 shots 24:31 TOI
Aleksander Barkov (NJ): 1G (GWG), 1A, 2 hits, 5 shots, 2 shot blocks, 2 takeaways, 18:17 TOI
Artemi Panarin (FLA): 1G, 1A, +2, 2 hits, 5 shots, 1 shot block, 21:32 TOI