Eastern Quarterfinal Nightly Recap

Eastern Quarterfinal

Buffalo Sabres - 1 @ New York Islanders - 7

• New York leads series 3-0

Game 3 of this series shifted back to Long Island. Unfortunately for the Buffalo Sabres, their offense is stranded on a different island.

It was a good night to be named Ryan, as the Islanders exploded for 7 goals. Ryan Johansen collected a hat trick while Ryan Dzingel picked up his second goal of the series. Dustin Brown extended his post-season scoring streak to three games with a goal. Adam Boqvist had the lone goal for the Sabres.

New York had nearly as many shots in the third period (24) as Buffalo had the entire game (31).

Florida Panthers - 3 @ Boston Bruins - 2

• Florida leads series 3-0

The Panthers hung on after a late press by the Bruins to win Game 3 and now hold a resounding 3-0 series lead.

Janne Kuokkanen scored in the waning minutes of the third to get the score to 3-2. In the final minute, Radko Gudas sacrificed his body with a massive block, Freddy Andersen made 2 huge saves and both Claude Giroux and John Tavares fumbled their shot attempts to try and get this one to overtime.

New Jersey Devils - 3 @ Tampa Bay Lightning - 2

• New Jersey leads series 2-1

Jakob Markstrom put in another strong performance and the Devils won in Tampa Bay to take a 2-1 series lead.

Tampa Bay was buzzing around the New Jersey net in the final minute, putting 6 shots on net but Markstrom shut the door, finishing the game with 33 saves and .943 SP%.

During the third period, Kailer Yamamoto (TB) tied the game at 2, but just 17 seconds later Nikolaj Ehlers collected a loose puck in the Lightning zone and ripped one past Thatcher Demko that held up as the game-winner.

Columbus Blue Jackets - 3 @ Philadelphia Flyers - 1

• Columbus leads series 2-1

 After allowing 5 goals in their victory in Game 2, the Blue Jackets thought they'd try playing defense in Game 3. It worked. 

Marc-Andre Fleury was the difference, as he handled the barrage of shots the Flyers put on him in the third period (20). JT Miller did eventually score after the Blue Jackets couldn't get the puck out of their zone to spoil Fleury's shutout bid.

Danton Heinen proved that it's quality over quantity as he scored the game-winner on just two shots and 7:43 TOI.