Eastern Semifinal Nightly Recap

Eastern Semifinal

Florida Panthers - 7 @ New York Islanders - 2

• Florida leads series 2-1

The Panthers scored at will and bounced back from their sole loss of the playoffs to take a 2-1 series lead.

Florida's top line combined for 8 points on the night and Cale Makar chipped in three points (1-2-3). Joe Thornton continued to stare Father Time in the eye and give the Panthers quality minutes too, as he finished the night with 2 goals including the game-winner in the second period.

Jack Campbell has alternated between good and bad in this series. After limiting Florida to one goal in Game 2, he got lit up with 4 goals on 17 shots. His relief, Devan Dubnyk, fared about as well by allowing 3 from 11 shots. 

New Jersey Devils - 2 @ Columbus Blue Jackets - 5

• New Jersey leads series 2-1

Jacob Markstrom had a rare off-game and the Blue Jackets took advantage to get themselves back into the series. 

Markstrom allowed 4 goals on the first 16 shots he faced, giving Columbus a 4-0 lead just under halfway through the game. He only allowed one goal on the next 20 shots but by then the damage was done. 

Zach Aston-Reese and Mika Zibanejad each had two goals for the Blue Jackets. Nazem Kadri had the other. New Jersey's goal scorers were Alex Radulov and Oliver Bkorkstrand.

Devon Toews (NJ) and Quinn Hughes (CBJ) each finished the night with 4 blocked shots. 

THREE STARS

John Tavares (FLA): 1 goal, 3 assists, +3, 1 hit, 3 shots, 23:39 TOI
Mika Zibanejad (CBJ): 2 goals, +/- 0, 2 hits, 7 shots, 18:38 TOI
Victor Hedman (FLA): 1 assist, +3, 3 hits, 2 shots, 3 blocked shots, 1 giveaway, 27:24 TOI