Yelnats Cup Playoffs: Recap for 04-19/20-2011

Hey everyone! Sorry for the unexpected hiatus, I was in the moving process once again. I'm back home for the summer now. Feels good. To make up for it, I'll present every game 4 games.

4 of those games had the potential to be sweeps. How many brooms did we need? Find out after the jump.

New Jersey Devils @ New York Islanders

1st period:

2nd period:

3rd period:

Now, the Devils, who had a chance to even up the series, are looking at a 3-1 deficit. Brodeur started well, but couldn't keep up and he has now allowed a staggering 20 goals in 4 games. The Devils absolutely need him to get back to his superstar form, because scoring isn't their problem, they scored 16 goals in 4 games. That usually gets you more than 1 win.

Score: NJD 3-4 NYI

Total shots: NJD 24 - 35 NYI

Total PIM: NJD 6 - 8 NYI

3 stars:

#1 Kyle Okposo (GWG, 2A)

#2 Michael Grabner (2 G)

#3 Frans Nielsen (2 A)

St.-Louis Blues @ Colorado Avalanche

1st period:

2nd period:

The only point of interest in the second period was a Blues major penalty, but they did fine despite of it. No scoring in the second, shots were 9-8 for the Blues, who were 20 minutes away from the golf course at that point.

3rd period:

Overtime:

Despite dominating the play for most of the game, St-Louis nearly couldn't find a way to not get swept. Perhaps not taking so many penalties would've helped them, but dramatic finishes are always way more fun! Now St.-Louis gets another home game, and they'll need the crowd's support to get the series up to 3-2.

Score: 3-2 OT

Total shots: STL 35 - 28 COL

Total PIM: STL 11 - 2 COL

3 stars:

#1 T.J. Oshie (OT winner, A)

#2 David Jones (2 A)

#3 Chris Stewart (A)

Atlanta Thrashers @ Ottawa Senators

1st period:

2nd period:

3rd period:

Overtime:

Being swept by one of the worst teams in the NHL is quite a big fall for a team that led their division at one point in the season. The lack of scoring and the bevy of penalties did them in. Better luck in 2011-12 Thrashers!

Score: ATL 4 - 5 OTT (OT)

Total Shots: ATL 30 - 39 OTT

Total PIM: ATL 9 - 8 OTT

3 stars:

#1 Ryan Shannon (3 A)

#2 Erik Condra (G, A )

#3 Milan Michalek (OT winner)

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Florida Panthers

1st period:

2nd period:

3rd period:

TRUCULENCE. That is all.

Score: FLA 2-4 TOR

Total shots: FLA 34 - 30 TOR

Total PIM: FLA 8 - 16 TOR

3 stars:

#1 Mikhail Grabovski (G, 2A)

#2 Nikolai Kulemin (2G)

#3 Optimus Reim (32 saves)

Calgary Flames @ Edmonton Oilers

1st period:

Plenty of penalties in this one, but the goals didn't come very easily. No scoring in the first, but Calgary amassed 9 PIM while Edmonton got 1 minor, but couldn't even outshoot their opponents. Calgary held a 13-11 shot advantage after 20 minutes.

2nd period:

This time, the Flames controlled their fire and took no penalties, while Edmonton got 3 minors. The score didn't change however, 0-0 after 40 minutes, Calgary shot 12, Edmonton 10.

3rd period:

Score: EDM 0 - 1 CGY

Total shots: EDM 29 - 35 CGY

Total PIM: EDM 15 - 11 CGY

3 stars:

#1 Miikka Kiprusoff (29 save shutout)

#3 Ales Kotalik (GWG)

Minnesota Wild @ Columbus Blue Jackets

1st period:

2nd period: 

3rd period:

This game continued the tradition of the Wild losing the rare games in which they outshoot the opponent. Video games can be so realistic sometimes.

Score: MIN 2-3 CBJ

Total shots: MIN 30 - 27 CBJ

Total PIM: MIN 14 - 8 CBJ

3 stars:

#1 Rick Nash (supplying the Wild's nightmares once again)

#2 Steve Mason (28 saves)

#3 Jakub Voracek (G, A)

New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils, Isles leading series 3-1

Colorado Avalanche @ St.-Louis Blues, Avs leadng series 3-1

Florida Panthers @ Toronto Maple Leafs, Leafs leading series 3-1

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Minnesota Wild, Wild leading series 3-1

Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators moving on to the second round.

Edmonton Oilers and Atlanta Thrashers moving on to the golf courses.

Come back tomorrow for some game 5 action!