Western Semifinal Nightly Recap

Western Semifinal

Arizona Coyotes - 4 @ Anaheim Ducks - 5 (OT)

• Anaheim leads series 1-0

Anaheim's propensity to score goals at home continued as they rallied to beat Arizona in overtime and take Game 1 of their semifinal matchup.

While the offense rolled for the Ducks, the Coyotes weren't too shabby either. They entered the second period trailing 1-0 but turned thing in their favour by pouring the shots at Tristan Jarry (25 shots in period) and score 3 times. The Ducks added two of their own and headed into the third period tied at 3.

In the third, Mikael Backlund was sent off for a double minor for high-sticking and the Coyotes made them pay. Johnny Gaudreau deftly redirected the puck past Jarry and gave the 'Yotes a lead. 

Late in the period, Backlund made up for his misdeeds. After winning the draw cleanly in the neutral zone, Anaheim gained the zone. Jamie Oleksiak parked his 6'7" frame in front of Hellebuyck for the screen and tipped a shot by Viktor Arvidsson that nearly snuck in the net but Hellebuyck fought it off and steered the puck into the corner. Backlund stickhandled his way into the slot and shot across the seam and found net to tie the game.

Bryan Rust's brilliant post-season continued when he thrilled the home crowd with the winner 8:25 into the extra session, his first of the series and sixth overall. 

Colorado Avalanche - 2 @ Winnipeg Jets - 6

• Winnipeg leads series 1-0

Whether it was the layoff for the Av's or momentum from their Game 7 series clinching victory, the Jets offense was on auto-pilot in Game 1.

Winnipeg scored the first three goals of the game, and led 4-2 after two periods. They'd cap things off with a two goal output in the third and 6-2 victory.

Mikko Rantanen's (WPG) dominance in the post-season continued. With a 3 point effort (1-2-3), he takes over sole possession of the playoff scoring lead (4-8-12). Elias Lindholm also climbed up the stats leaderboard with a 3 point night of his own (2-1-3) while Mattias Ekholm drove play from the back-end with 2 assists, including the assist on Brayden Point's game-winner. 

Mike Smith was in net for all 6 goals against, finishing the night with a .833 SP%. He and the rest of the Avalanch will need to tighten up the defense if they hope to slow down Rantanen and the rest of the Jets. 

THREE STARS

Mikko Rantanen (WPG): 1 goal, 2 assists, +2, 1 hit, 7 shots, 1 giveaway, 20:18 TOI
Elias Lindholm (WPG): 2 goals, 1 assist, +3, 2 shots, 1 SB, 2 GA, 1 TA, 22:41 TOI
Jamie Oleksiak (ARI): 2 assists, -1, 2 pim, 4 hits, 2 blocked shot, 2 takeaways, 27:51 TOI