The quest for the Stanley Cup began on Saturday, with 16 teams battling it out for the same goal.
Here’s a look at how each series in the Eastern Conference currently stands:
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins: Series Tied 1-1
After securing a spot in the playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season, Buffalo entered the matchup against Boston strong. In Game 1 of the series, which took place on Sunday, Boston scored early in the first and the third to give themselves a 2-0 lead. Despite this, Buffalo responded with four goals in just over four minutes late in the third to secure a 1-0 series lead. Two of Buffalo’s goals came from former UConn Hockey star Tage Thompson, who led the Sabres in goals scored (40) during the regular season.
During Game 2 on Tuesday night, Boston again got the scoring started but this time in the second period with three goals, one of them coming from Morgan Geekie at center ice. Viktor Arvidsson scored his second goal of the game for Boston just 16 seconds into the third period. Buffalo got on the board after Bowen Byram got past Boston’s goaltender Jeremy Swayman but the Bruins stood strong on defense to secure a 4-2 win and tie the series 1-1.
Up next, both teams will head to Boston to play Games 3 and 4 at TD Garden. Game 3 is set for Thursday night at 7 p.m., with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens: Series Tied 1-1
The Lightning and Canadiens have yet to conclude a game in regulation as Games 1 and 2 have gone into overtime. The first game took place Sunday in the sunshine state, with the Canadiens getting on the scoreboard in the first period. Tampa responded with two goals nearly thirty seconds apart in the second period, but their lead was quickly cut short when Juraj Slafkovský tied the game with a power play goal. Slafkovský did not stop there and scored another goal in the third period to give the Canadiens a 3-2 lead. Brandon Hagel scored his second of the night for the Lightning to send the game into overtime where Slafkovský completed his hat trick to secure a 1-0 series lead for the Canadiens.
In Game 2 on Tuesday night, Hagel kicked off the scoring in the first, but their lead was cut short when Lane Hutson scored on the power play to tie the game entering the second period. Both the Canadiens and the Lightning added one more to the scoreboard to send the game yet again into overtime. Defenseman J.J. Moser won the game for the Lightning to even the series 1-1.
Game 3 will take place this Friday, but this time it will be the Canadiens with home ice advantage. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m., and Game 4 will take place Sunday at the same start time.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators: CAR leads 2-0
In Game 1, goaltender Frederik Andersen was the star player for the Hurricanes, recording a shutout 2-0 victory with 22 saves. After a scoreless first period, Logan Stankoven got the Hurricanes on the board early in the second, and Taylor Hall contributed a goal of his own in the third to give Carolina a 1-0 series lead.
On Monday during game two of the series, Carolina again attacked first with Stankoven giving the Hurricanes a 1-0 entering the second. It was a strong second period for both teams with Sebastian Aho contributing to Carolina’s lead. Ottawa quickly responded with two goals to tie things up and send the game into overtime. However, a scoreless twenty minutes in overtime sent the game into double overtime as there are no shootouts during the playoffs. Jordan Martinook was the overtime hero for the Hurricanes to send them back to Ottawa up 2-0 in the series.
Game 3 is set for Thursday with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. and Game 4 on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers: PHI leads 2-0
Across the sixteen teams in the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers are the only team to currently hold a 2-0 series lead against their opponent who was ranked higher than them in the league. In Game 1 on Saturday, a scoreless first period sent both teams searching for a goal in the second. The Flyers struck first following a goal from Jamie Drysdale, but the Penguins responded with a goal from veteran player Evgeni Malkin. During the third, the Flyers added another two goals to add to their lead along with the go-ahead goal from defenseman Travis Sanheim. Despite adding a goal late in the third, the Penguins were unable to even the scoreboard, falling to the Flyers 3-2.
In Game 2, the Flyers shutout the Penguins at home with help from goaltender Dan Vladar who made 27 saves, 25 of them coming from the final two periods. Martone scored for the second straight game along with Garnet Hathaway and Luke Glendening to secure a 3-0 win over the Penguins. Despite Pittsburgh having more shots on goal (27), the Flyers defense stayed strong along with Vladar to eliminate the Penguins scoring chances.
The Flyers return back to Philadelphia with the chance to close out the series at home already up 2-0 in the series. Game 3 is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. with Game 4 on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Author’s Note: Article was written before Game 3 contest between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh occurred