The Jerusalem Post

9fckj fljk ;\m`cj › C\X]j jkXp Xc`m\

-

Andrei Vasilevski­y made 26 saves as the host Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the New Jersey Devils with a 3-1 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfin­als on Saturday night in Florida.

The Lightning won the series four games to one and await the winner of Boston-Toronto.

Vasilevski­y did not see much action until the third period as the Lightning controlled possession throughout the second due to four straight power plays. He stepped up with saves on Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri and Pavel Zacha during New Jersey’s first power play midway through the third.

“He just came up huge in every big situation,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “There were times in this series he’d go seven to nine minutes without seeing a shot, and then all of a sudden have to face a power play or face a big-time chance.

“The timely saves were phenomenal for us. He just played with confidence.”

Mikhail Sergachev scored his first career playoff goal in the first period, Nikita Kucherov netted the game-winner with about 8½ minutes remaining and Ryan Callahan added an empty-net goal. Patrick Maroon scored for the Devils, who stayed in the game by keeping the Lightning scoreless in five power plays.

Maple Leafs 4, Bruins 3

James van Riemsdyk capped a two-goal second period for Toronto, which held on against host Boston in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarterfin­al series.

Van Riemsdyk added an assist. Tyler Bozak, Connor Brown and Andreas Johnsson also scored, and Frederik Andersen made 42 saves for the Maple Leafs, who trail the best-of-seven series 3-2.

David Backes, Sean Kuraly and Noel Acciari each scored goals for the Bruins, but goalie Tuukka Rask allowed four goals on 13 shots before being replaced by backup Anton Khudobin (eight saves).

Boston star center Patrice Bergeron returned after missing Game 4 with an upperbody injury. The Selke Trophy finalist did not record a point in 20:57 of ice time after totaling five assists over the first three games.

Toronto was bolstered by the return of Nazem Kadri, who was suspended for the last three games after his hit to Boston’s Tommy Wingels in Game 1. Kadri had an assist in 13:58 of ice time.

Leo Komarov (lower body) did not play for the Maple Leafs despite deeming himself ready to return after missing Games 3 and 4. Game 6 is Monday in Toronto. The Bruins are seeking their first playoff series victory since the 2013/14 season, while the Maple Leafs haven’t prevailed in a series since the 2003/04 campaign.

Capitals 4, Blue Jackets 3 (OT)

Nicklas Backstrom scored his second goal of the game 11:53 into overtime and gave host Washington a victory over Columbus in Game 5 of its Eastern Conference quarterfin­al series.

The Capitals now have won three straight after dropping the first two in the series. Washington has a 3-2 lead and can close it out in Game 6 on Monday at Columbus.

Backstrom simply deflected a shot from Dmitry Orlov past Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky from between the circles for the game-winner. Backstrom finished with two goals and one assist.

Both goalies made crucial saves in the third period and overtime. Washington’s Braden Holtby had some spectacula­r stops and finished with 39 saves while Bobrovsky had 25.

Columbus scored the first goal for the first time in this series. Matt Calvert (two goals) got a short-handed goal with 9:52 left in the period.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Israel