Aarif Deen
The Colorado Avalanche picked apart goalie Jesper Wallstedt in Game 1. Was there something they saw that made that possible? Also, the Toronto Maple Leafs had quite the presser to introduce their new hockey operations staff, and the NHL draft lottery will take place tonight, and it will be broadcast on ESPN an hour before the Avs game begins.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — May 5.
Colorado Hockey Now
There were several franchise firsts and records in the Avalanche’s crazy 9-6 victory on Sunday. I highlighted five of them below.
The Avs were getting goals from all over the lineup, but many of them looked similar, in a way. Colorado picked apart goalie Jesper Wallstedt in Game 1.
One of my favorite parts of Game 1 was how, despite all the chaos. Despite all the goals and offense, Brett Kulak still was able to keep doing Brett Kulak things.
After seeing the finalists for three awards get announced without the Avalanche being among them, Gabe Landeskog received a finalist slot for one particular award.
Author’s Note: I’ll be in Minnesota later this week, continuing my playoff coverage from the road. Unfortunately, the expenses are adding up pretty quickly, and it’s getting more difficult to be at every game. If you enjoy the coverage here at Colorado Hockey Now and want to chip in to our travel budget, you can do so here via PAYPAL or VENMO. My goal remains to bring the best possible coverage from the rink and inside the locker room. Thank you all so much for being readers and supporters. Here’s to a playoff run that goes all the way through the end of June.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap
Game 2 Recap — Flyers 2 at Hurricanes 3 — (CAR leads 2-0)
The Flyers gained an early 2-0 lead, which became the first time all playoffs that the Hurricanes have trailed in the postseason. But Carolina fought back, got the game-tying goal in the third period, and the overtime winner from Taylor Hall to build a 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Philadelphia.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Flyers respond on home ice. On one hand, the early goals and the ability to stick with it through OT might give them confidence that they can skate with the Hurricanes. But on the other hand, this might be the game that got away. The pressure is on for them to win Game 3 and avoid trying to crawl back from down three games.
Game 1 Recap — Ducks 1 at Golden Knights 3 — (VGK leads 1-0)
The Golden Knights were outshot 34-22, but a strong performance from goalie Carter Hart and goals from Brett Howden, Ivan Barbashev, and an empty-netter from Mitch Marner lifted them to a Game 1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena.
Anaheim trailed 1-0 for quite a while before Mikael Granlund scored Anaheim’s only goal with 6:03 remaining in regulation. Rather than building off a crucial game-tying goal, the Ducks gave the lead right back to Vegas just 65 seconds later.
Tonight’s Schedule
- Game 2: Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche (6 pm MT on ESPN)
Around The NHL
Toronto Hockey Now: Chris Johnston called the introductory press conference for John Chayka and Mats Sundin uncomfortable. That’s just one way to explain how the president and CEO of MLSE, Keith Pelley, handled the presser. It was a fascinating day all around in Toronto.
And it all comes right before tonight’s draft lottery, which will have big ramifications for the Leafs. Toronto finished as the fifth-worst team in the NHL this season. If they drop one spot in the draft order after the lottery, then their first-round pick will be transferred to the Boston Bruins from the 2025 Brandon Carlo trade.
But if they keep the pick, or climb into the top two, Toronto will get its first top-five selection since the Auston Matthews draft 10 years ago.
Montreal Hockey Now: The MVPs for the Canadiens in their seven-game series win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. Spoiler alert: One of them was the goalie.
Boston Hockey Now: Marco Sturm addresses the Bruins still not having a captain. Is it time to put the ‘C’ on someone’s sweater for next season?
Florida Hockey Now: For the first time since 2019, a team from Florida will not partake in the Stanley Cup Final.