Eastern Semifinal Nightly Recap

Eastern Semifinal

Florida Panthers - 1 @ New York Islanders - 2 (2OT)

• Series tied 2-2

Would the real Jack Campbell please stand up?

For the second time this series Jack Campbell bounced back after an ugly loss, this time in the form of a superhuman 48 save effort in double overtime. He was especially brilliant in the seconds leading up to the Islanders scoring in overtime. He stoned Trevor Zegras from in close and a long-distance snapper from Mark Giordano. The final play of the game saw Campbell deny Artemi Panarin, Michael "Mutombo" Del Zotto block shots by Victor Hedman & Jonathan Huberdeau and Corey Perry streaking down the wing and burying the game-winner. 

The 49 shots the Islanders faced could have been much higher but fighting to make sure they didn't go down 3-1 in the series they threw themselves in front of anything they could, finishing the night with 20 blocked shots. Adam Larsson had a game-high 6 in 37:21(!) of ice time.

Dustin Brown (6th of playoffs) and Victor Hedman (4th) scored the goals during regulation. 

New Jersey Devils - 3 @ Columbus Blue Jackets - 0

• New Jersey leads series 3-1

Jacob Markstrom put a rare bad game behind him and posted his second shutout of these playoffs to put the Devils one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Markstrom turned aside all 27 shots he faced on the night. He was particularly busy in the second when the Blue Jackets pressed for the equaliser and pelted him with 15.

Not to be outdone, Dylan Larkin had another monster game. He went 2-1-3 for the game which gives him 5 goals in the series. It also catapulted him atop the scoring leaderboard for the playoffs. He now has 8 goals and 7 assists. 

THREE STARS

Jack Campbell (NYI): 48 saves, .980 SP%
Jacob Markstrom (NJD): 27 saves, shutout
Dylan Larkin (NJD): 2 goals (GWG), 1 assist, +3, 3 htis, 6 shots, 1 giveaway, 18:54 TOI