Eastern Quarterfinal Nightly Recap

Eastern Quarterfinal

Buffalo Sabres - 3 @ New York Islanders - 2 (OT)

• New York leads series 3-1

Joel Farabee had to wait a little longer to score his first goal of the series, but it was well worth it.

After having what would have been the game-winning goal overturned during video review, Farabee breathed life into the Sabres playoff hopes by firing home the OT winner. 

Buffalo led the game 2-0 until halfway through the second when the Islanders scored goals 1:21 apart to tie the game. 
After a lengthy review, Farabee's marker in the third was deemed to be have kicked into the net. The Islanders had goal of their own overturned after replays showed that net had been dislodged before the puck entered.

Florida Panthers - 2 @ Boston Bruins - 1

• Florida wins series 4-0

Despite entering the playoffs with identical regular season point totals, Florida showed that they were on a higher level in dispatching Boston in 4 games. 

The Panthers are now 12-2 in their last 14 games, dating back to the regular season. Talk about peaking at the right time. 
Artemi Panarin and Cole Caufield (GWG) scored in the first for Florida, and Evegeny Kuznetsov potted his first of the series on the PP to make the game 2-1.

Florida's defense shut down Boston in the third, only allowing 5 shots in the period.

New Jersey Devils - 1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning - 2

• Series tied 2-2

The Devils and Lightning defensive prowess was in full display tonight, putting on a shot blocking clinic with a combined 25, but Ryan Strome managed to thread the needle. Twice.

Strome picked a good time to score his first goals of the series, gettng the eventual winner in the third period off a slick feed from Kris Letang. 

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his first for the Devils.

Columbus Blue Jackets - 4 @ Philadelphia Flyers - 2

• Columbus leads series 3-1

Martin Jones was shaky and the Columbus offense kept rolling as the Blue Jackets won to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Jones didn't make it out of the first period before being replaced by Alexandar Georgiev, surrendering 3 goals on 11 shots. Patrick Kane, Max Pacioretty and Zach Hyman all scored for Columbus in the period.

First line center Nazem Kadri's hot play continued, assisting on the first two goals of the game before adding a tally of his own midway through the second. 

THREE STARS

Joel Farabee (BUF): 1 goal, +1, 4 hits, 5 shots, 18:17 TOI
Frederik Andersen (FLA): 32 saves, .970 SP%
Nazem Kadri (CBJ): 1 goal, 2 assists, +2, 3 hits, 6 shots, 2 takeaways, 18:41 TOI