If the Florida Panthers are able to get through the Toronto Maple Leafs, they might find the Carolina Hurricanes waiting for them in the Eastern Conference Final.
Carolina put the Metropolitan Division-winning Washington Capitals on the brink of elimination with a 5-2 win at Lenovo Center last night. Taylor Hall and Sean Walker each had a goal and an assist and Shane Gostisbehere, Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov also scored for the Hurricanes. Jakob Chychrun and Alex Ovechkin lit the lamp for the Capitals. It was Ovechkin’s first goal of the series. Frederik Andersen made 19 saves for Carolina, who are a perfect 5-0 at home in the playoffs.
The Edmonton Oilers took command of its series against the Vegas Golden Knights with a 3-0 shutout win at Rogers Place. Adam Henrique scored twice in the opening frame and Stuart Skinner made 23 saves to post his first win of the playoffs. Connor McDavid assisted on Evander Kane’s third period insurance goal. Vegas will need to win Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday to avoid elimination.
After defeating the Providence Bruins in Game 5 on Sunday, the Charlotte Checkers will host the first two games of the best-of-five Atlantic Division Final against the Hersey Bears, starting on Friday. The last three games of the series are scheduled for Giant Center in Hershey. The Bears finished in first place during the regular season. Wilmer Skoog leads the Checkers in postseason scoring with three goals and four points. Ben Steeves also scored three goals against the P-Bruins.
Tuesday in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
- Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars 8 p.m. (ESPN) (Dallas leads 2-1)