Western Semifinal Nightly Recap

Western Semifinal

Arizona Coyotes - 2 @ Anaheim Ducks - 1

• Series tied 1-1

Connor Hellebuyck turned aside 35 shots and got his team right back into the series.

After allowing 5 goals in Game 1's overtime defeat, Hellebuyck displayed the formidable goaltending that has gotten the Coyotes this far in the first place. 

Trailing by a goal late in the third, the Ducks looked like they were going to pull even. With the home crowd on their feet, they had Arizona hemmed in their own zone for the better part of the last five minutes but Hellebuyck stood his ground and stopped everything that came his way. That included a save on playoff goal scoring leader Bryan Rust (who scored his 7th earlier in the game) who was in disbelief, along with everyone else, that Hellebuyck got across his crease and stopped him.

Vladimir Tarasenko didn't let his goalie's superb effort go to waste, as he scored both of the Coyotes goals of the game putting his goal total at 6.

Colorado Avalanche - 3 @ Winnipeg Jets - 4

• Winnipeg leads series 2-0

The Jets got into penalty trouble in the third period but scored three unanswered goals to claim victory and 2-0 series lead.

Heading into the third period with the score tied at 1-all, Colorado struck twice on the powerplay when the Jets took back-to-back minors. Alex Goligooski's first of the playoffs put the Avs up 2-1 when Tyler Bozak was off for hooking. A few minutes later, Mattias Ekholm got singled out in a scrum by the refs and called for roughing. He was back out of the box just 6 seconds later when Mitch Marner scored to make it a 3-1 game.

The Jets fourth line put the cycle to work after that, which resulted in Curtis Lazar scoring two goals in just over 3 minutes to tie the game up. 

Mikko Rantanen would score his 5th, making it his 3rd game-winning goal of the playoffs. 

THREE STARS

Curtis Lazar (WPG): 2 goals, +2, 3 hits, 5 shots, 2 blocked shots, 7:13 TOI
Vladimir Tarasenko (ARI): 2 goals, +2, 4 shots, 2 SB, 1 GA, 3 TA, 16:34 TOI
Connor Hellebuyck (ARI): 35 saves, .972 SP%Western Semifinal