Eastern Semifinal Nightly Recap

Eastern Semifinal

New York Islanders - 2 @ Florida Panthers - 1 

• New York leads series 3-2

For the second game in a row, the Isles got the better of the Panthers in overtime and now find themselves a win away from the next round. 

Jack Campbell, whose play in net throughout this series has been reminiscent of  Jekyll and Hyde, was finally able to to string together a pair of outstanding perfomances. The Islanders will need this version of "Soup" to show up if they hope to finish off Florida.

After going scoreless in the first, Florida took the lead on a Victor Hedman powerplay goal in the second. Florida outshot New York 13-7 in the third, but it was veteran Ryan Suter who was clutch in scoring his first of the playoffs and tying the game. 
In overtime, Mark Giordano's pass was picked off by Jordan Eberle who then gained the offensive zone. After that it was tic-tac-toe as Eberle got it to Jaden Schwartz who then found Ryan Johansen and he made no mistake, blasting it past Frederik Andersen to end the game.

Florida thought they had a 2-0 lead in the second, but Jack Campbell was pushed into the net along with the puck and the goal was waved off.

Columbus Blue Jackets - 3 @ New Jersey Devils - 2

• New Jersey leads series 3-2

Todd McLellan's vow to shake up his lines came via addition by subtraction. It worked. 

After being shut out by the Devils in Game 4, McLellan scratched Nic Dowd, Zach Aston-Reese and Danton Heinen and played the game with 9 forwards. Nick Paul moved up to center the 3rd line while Zach Hyman and Andrei Svechnikov swapped places on the 2nd line.

The two teams alternated goals during regulation which saw them tied at 2 heading into overtime. That included a wild opening to the third period that saw three goals scored in the first three minutes. With New Jersey leading 1-0, Nazem Kadri struck just 8 seconds in to tie things up. Tyler Motte gave the Devils the lead again at 2:28, but Nick Paul tied it back up 37 seconds later. 

The Prudential Center was buzzing in overtime, hoping to see their home team clinch on home ice. But Max Pacioretty converted a pass from playoff assist leader Nazem Kadri to keep the Blue Jackets' Stanley Cup hopes alive. 

THREE STARS

Ryan Johansen (NYI): 1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 1 hit, 3 shots, 26:36 TOI
Max Pacioretty (CBJ): 1 goal, +/- 0, 1 hit, 7 shots, 1 blocked shot, 26:39 TOI
Jack Campbell (NYI): 34 saves, .971 SP%