Stanley Cup playoffs roundup: Blackhawks, Flames, Caps, Wings win as goalies rule night

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It was the kind of night only a goalie could love.

The guys between the pipes dictated the outcomes of all four Stanley Cup playoff games Tuesday, a day that fittingly came to an end after a three-overtime battle between Pekka Rinne and Scott Darling. For the second time in the Blackhawks-Predators series, a game took multiple OT periods to decide. Darling and Rinne traded highlight saves until Brent Seabrook brought the game to a merciful 3-2 end in favor of the Blackhawks almost five hours after puck drop.

MORE: Orpik's rough night | Byfuglien won't face discipline PHOTOS: Must-see first-round pictures

Red Wings 3, Lightning 0 (Detroit leads series 2-1)

Takeaway: The return of Justin Abdelkader and Brendan Smith to the lineup was evident as the Red Wings were noticeably more physical with the Lightning, keeping their speedy forwards at bay. Detroit was so dominant that Pavel Datsyuk's goal 8:46 into the first period would have been more than enough to get by. Tampa Bay peppered Red Wings goalies early in the series — 76 shots through the first two games — but the Lightning managed only 22 shots in Game 3. Abdelkader and Smith brought the boom, combining for 11 hits.

Quotable:  ''They got an extremely fortunate bounce on the first goal,'' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. ''It's the only bounce they got. They didn't need any more. We didn't get bounces.''

Highlight:  Datsyuk opens the scoring with a nifty little deflection on a give-and-go with Tomas Tatar. 

Next up: Thursday at Detroit, 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN

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Capitals 2, Islanders 1, OT (Series tied 2-2)

Takeaway:  If any team required a goal like the one Nicklas Backstrom scored 11:09 into overtime, it was the Capitals. Backstrom, along with captain Alex Ovechkin, were kept largely in check by the Islanders through the first three games of this series, but they dominated Game 4.

Along with netting the game-winner, Backstrom assisted on Ovechkin's goal to open the scoring. Ovechkin returned the favor with an assist on the overtime winner, finishing plus-2 with a game-high eight shots. Backstrom's goal came against John Tavares, who lost his stick and helplessly trailed behind as Backstrom made his way to the net. Tavares had been outperforming Backstrom and Ovechkin, but the roles were reversed Tuesday.

Braden Holtby also was outstanding in net, stopping 36 of 37 shots.

Quotable: Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen on Backstrom: "Sometimes, you wonder if we're all playing checkers and he's playing chess."

Highlight: Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik had a rough night, starting when the skate of teammate John Carlson caught him on the cheek during the first period. Orpik left the game for stitches, but returned in the second period and finished with 25:55 time on ice. Later, while the Caps celebrated their win, he was hit in the head with a full cup of beer.

Next up: Thursday at Washington, 7 p.m. ET, CNBC

Blackhawks 3, Predators 2, 3 OTs (Chicago leads series 3-1)

Takeaway: Darling was outstanding, stopping 50 of 52 shots in a game the Blackhawks didn't lead until the final goal was scored one minute into the third overtime period. Rinne matched him on the other end. The Preds goalie stopped 45 of 48 shots in what became the longest game in Nashville franchise history. Oddly, the Blackhawks have been involved in the last three triple-overtime games — June 12, 2013, against the Bruins (4-3 win) and April 17, 2014, against the Blues (4-3 loss).

Quotable: "Everyone was tired," Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa said. "I think the people in the stands were tired, too." 

Highlight: James Neal flies into the corner and pancakes Duncan Keith against the end boards, smashing a glass panel in the process.

As a bonus, here's Rinne stripping down to find a lost puck for ... quite a long time.

Next up:  Thursday at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN

Flames 3, Canucks 1 (Calgary leads series 3-1)

Takeaway: We could be seeing the beginnings of this year's iteration of a great playoff underdog story in the Flames. Someone had to do it, after all, with the Kings sitting out this postseason. Calgary's young guns have skated circles around the Vancouver vets, and their gritty style has established a distinct advantage. The team that's won the hit battle has won each game this series, and the Flames held a 29-18 edge in hits in Game 4.

After the Canucks fell into a 3-1 first-period hole, Ryan Miller replaced Eddie Lack in net and stopped all 15 shots he faced. Lack has an .886 save percentage in the series. The Canucks have now lost eight of their last nine playoff games.

Quotable: "The last step, I think, is the hardest one,'' Flames winger Jiri Hudler said. ''We've got to be confident, but not too confident. They've got a great team and you saw they kept coming.''

Highlight: Flames rookie Johnny Gaudreau opened the game's scoring with 3:23 gone, netting the first playoff goal of his career.

Next up: Thursday at Vancouver, 10 p.m., CNBC

Three stars

3. Petr Mrazek, G, Red Wings: Mrazek earned the first playoff shutout of his career, rendering the Lightning offense powerless.

2. Nicklas Backstrom, F, Capitals: Backstrom netted the overtime goal and had an assist. He also fired five shots on net and was plus-2 while leading all forwards with 25:19 time on ice.

1. Brent Seabrook, D, Blackhawks: Not only was Seabrook the one who allowed everyone to head off to bed; he also had six hits over 33:30 of ice time.

Injury report

Alexandre Burrows, F, Canucks: Burrows left practice in an ambulance Tuesday because of what the Canucks called an "upper-body injury." It was reported that Burrows broke one of his ribs when a puck hit him. He did not play in Game 4, but Canucks coach Willie Desjardins said after the game that Burrows has been released from the hospital.

Justin Abdelkader, F, Red Wings: Abdelkader returned to the lineup after missing six games with a hand injury and made an immediate impact, skating 15:54 with six hits and an assist on Detroit's second goal.

Eric Fehr, F, Capitals: Fehr was left out of the lineup with an upper-body injury. Rookie Andre Burakovsky started in his place, logging 11:06 of ice time and one shot on goal.

Lubomir Visnovsky, D, Islanders: Visnovsky was leveled by Caps forward/freight train Tom Wilson during the second period. He left the game and didn't return.

Wednesday’s games

(All times Eastern)

Rangers at Penguins, 7 p.m., NBCSN

Canadiens at Senators, 7 p.m., USA

Blues at Wild, 9:30 p.m., NBCSN

Ducks at Jets, 9:30 p.m., USA

Author(s)
Brandon Schlager Photo

Brandon Schlager is an assistant managing editor at The Sporting News.