Ice Hockey
The Montreal Canadiens sent Sidney Crosby and his Penguins on vacation. It’s also over for McDavid, Josi and Fiala.
Goalkeeper Carey Price (right) pissed off star Sidney Crosby.
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The NHL Championship’s best-of-five pre-play-off series produced three surprises on Friday.
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Behind closed doors in the Toronto “bubble”, the Montreal Canadiens (12th in the regular season) eliminated the powerful Pittsburgh Penguins (5th) from star players Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at the end of Act IV won 2 -0. Long closed, the game settled in the 56th minute when Finnish winger Arturri Lehkonen signed the 1-0 while exploiting a service from Paul Byron.
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The safety goal was scored by captain Shea Weber in an empty net 32 seconds from the horn sound.
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The Quebec metropolitan club had not won a series since April 26, 2015. That day, he got rid of the Ottawa Senators, already with a 2-0 victory. It was the last shutout of goalkeeper Carey Price (94.7% saves), dominant in the four clashes against the Penguins, in the play-off. “It is our pillar, analyzed Shea Weber once the sesame for the quarterfinals of Conference in pocket. He’s been solid throughout the series. It allows us to play more freely, with confidence, and not worry about making mistakes. ” Words extended by coach Claude Julien: “At the moment, he is in his bubble, in his zone, he feels good.” Sidney Crosby tried a few times to destabilize the Habs No.31. In vain.
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Kubalik ends McDavid’s season
In the Edmonton “bubble”, Connor McDavid’s Oilers (5th in the regular portion of the calendar) also took the door in front of the 12th. The Chicago Blackhawks smiled at the end of Act IV (3-2). The qualifying goal was achieved by ex-Ambri-Piotta striker Dominik Kubalik. The Czech scored his third goal of the 2020 play-off in the 49th minute.
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Zealand center Gaëtan Haas made his playoff debut with the Alberta club (10’37 of ice, four shots, neutral differential) while Bernese striker Philipp Kurashev was cut from Chicago’s roster .
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Josi, Weber and Fiala on vacation
Also at Rogers Place, Bernese defenders Roman Josi (one assist and fourteen shots!) And Yannick Weber (-1 in 6’28 playing time) experienced disillusionment with the Nashville Predators. The Tennessee franchise was knocked out by the Arizona Coyotes, who appropriated Act IV (4-3 AD).
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After obtaining the right to hope in the 60th (goal from Filip Forsberg six against five), the Preds were disillusioned in overtime when Brad Richardson settled the debate.
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St. Welsh winger Kevin Fiala also experienced elimination with the Minnesota Wild, who stumbled in the 61st minute of Act IV against the Vancouver Canucks (5-4 ap).
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The pill is bitter for the Swiss international, credited with an assist. His team led 3-1, then 4-3, before breaking down. Defender Christopher Tanev struck the blow with just eleven seconds into extra time.
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Miracle for Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs, them, concocted their “Miracle on Ice” against the Columbus Blue Jackets with which the Zurich defender Dean Kukan made his return to the game (16’06, neutral differential).
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In the 55th minute, the Ohio club led 3-0 in this fourth duel.
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In the 60th minute, Team Ontario scored 3-3 through left winger Zach Hyman.
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Auston Matthews, the former ZSC Lions center, ended the game in extra time during a power-play phase.
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Solothurn forward Denis Malgin was not fielded by the Maple Leafs.
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NHL. Pre play-off (best of five matches).
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Eastern Conference (Toronto)
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Columbus Blue Jackets – Toronto Maple Leafs 3-4 ap
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Status in series: 2-2
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Montreal Canadiens – Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0
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Status in series: 3-1
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Florida Panthers – New York Islanders 1-5
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