NHL Match Roundup for Sunday, 27 March – Part 1
Through the weekend there were several changes on the tables, especially in the Eastern Conference, as the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins clinched themselves playoff spots. Both teams won their matches their much needed games on Sunday in order for
them to lock their postseason berths.
Florida Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Before the matchup between the Panthers and Penguins, most saw it as an easy take for Pittsburgh but were disappointed. The Panthers did not go down easy but the Penguins put them to sleep during a shootout 2-1 at the CONSOL Energy Centre in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania on Sunday.
Goalies from both sides, Marc-Andre Fleury and Tomas Vokoun, made an incredible 37 and 23 saves each. Had Vokoun not left the match after regulation time, Florida might have had a better chance in the shootout. He was replaced by Scott Clemmensen who came
into overtime. He made four rejections in those five minutes but let two through during the SO.
"He's our MVP," said Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma, talking about Fleury, “and I think he deserves to be mentioned as league MVP with his play this year."
Panthers centre Ryan Carter, scored their first and only goal 15:32 into the second period. It still wasn’t enough for Florida who have now lost five games straight. Penguins’ defenseman Ben Lovejoy fired off a wrist shot which hit the net in the top slot
via Vokoun’s chest. It was his third of the season.
Both teams remaining locked out after that, as the game didn’t progress and was forced into overtime and a shootout seemed inevitable. Alex Kovalev and James Neal both have not scored in regulation for a while now but scored in the SO to give Pittsburgh
their fourth straight victory.
Pittsburgh’s four straight wins are all during shootouts, making it the longest streak since the format was introduced in 2005.
They’re looking to recapture first place in the Eastern Conference from the Flyers. With six games remaining, it doesn’t look too hard of a task. Their tied with Washington for second place, with 98 points, only shy of the first by two.
The Panthers can say goodbye to their chances of a playoff spot, even if they win all of their remaining games, they still will not be able to make it. They’re 13th in the conference with 69 points.
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Boston may have lost to the New York Rangers in their last game, but they came back to beat their conference leaders. Brad Marchand scored the game winning goal late in the final period as Bruins hammered the Flyers 2-1 at their own sold-out Wells Fargo
Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"We were patient and disciplined," said the NHL’s leading goalie Tim Thomas, who made 27 saves for the Bruins. "They took the penalty at the end and we capitalised." The Northeast Divisional leaders clinched their long awaited playoff spot after defeating
the Flyers who had not lost in regulation for nine games.
Philadelphia’s right winger, Kris Versteeg, fired the puck low from the side and through Thomas for their only goal early in the first period. They remained sluggish after that.
It was a rare occasion that the 19,000 plus crowd witnessed. The Bruins, who are usually a fighting team, gave only a single penalty throughout the match. Nathan Horton took advantage of the power play funded by Blair Betts, snatched the puck close to Brian
Boucher and tipped it in. Boucher faced 36 shot attempts and blocked 34 of them.
Brad Marchand was under a lot of pressure to score at least 20 this season. Not having scored in his previous 13 games, tensions were rising. Flyers Captain Mike Richards was sent to the benches for high-sticking with a little less than five minutes remaining.
Marchand saw a loose puck after Dennis Seidenberg’s attempt was blocked, he rebounded it through Boucher to win the game.
Boston faces Chicago on Tuesday while Philadelphia will head out to Pittsburgh the same day to face the first place thirsty Penguins.
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