Category: Sports/Hockey/NHL

Max Domi scored twice in the second period while Antti Raanta had 27 saves to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the visiting Boston Bruins 3-2 on Saturday to win the deciding Game 7 of their first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C.

Teuvo Teravainen also scored for the Hurricanes, who finally put away a Bruins team that had ousted them from the playoffs in two of the past three post-seasons. That ended a series in which neither team could manage a road win, with the Hurricanes eventually getting the final word backed by yet another rowdy and loud home crowd.

Carolina advanced to the second round to face the winner of Sunday’s Game 7 between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Raanta, who had never started a postseason game before this series, was again steady in net. He had probably his best stop on a full-split save to deny Taylor Hall near the left post in the first period of a scoreless game.

Jake DeBrusk scored a second-period goal for the Bruins, while David Pastrnak had one with 21.7 seconds left with Boston having pulled Jeremy Swayman for the extra attacker.

From there, the Hurricanes had to hang on through one final clock-killing shift to protect the lead before they could finally celebrate.

Swayman finished with 28 saves for Boston.

Later, after DeBrusk had beaten Raanta from the top of the crease, Teravainen whipped a pass to Domi for a one-timer that blasted the puck past Swayman at 10:33 of the second for the 3-1 lead.

The Bruins, a tested veteran squad, were in the playoffs for the sixth straight season. That run included a sweep of the Hurricanes in the 2019 Eastern Conference finals, as well as a five-game win in the first round of the Toronto bubble a year later.

This time, the Hurricanes never trailed in the series before finally grinding through after dominating the Bruins in three regular-season meetings. And the Bruins head into an off-season with some uncertainty about the future of captain and longtime No. 1 centre Patrice Bergeron, who can become an unrestricted free agent after 18 seasons with the team.

Max Domi scored twice in the second period while Antti Raanta had 27 saves to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the visiting Boston Bruins 3-2 on Saturday to win the deciding Game 7 of their first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C.

Teuvo Teravainen also scored for the Hurricanes, who finally put away a Bruins team that had ousted them from the playoffs in two of the past three post-seasons. That ended a series in which neither team could manage a road win, with the Hurricanes eventually getting the final word backed by yet another rowdy and loud home crowd.

Carolina advanced to the second round to face the winner of Sunday’s Game 7 between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Raanta, who had never started a postseason game before this series, was again steady in net. He had probably his best stop on a full-split save to deny Taylor Hall near the left post in the first period of a scoreless game.

Jake DeBrusk scored a second-period goal for the Bruins, while David Pastrnak had one with 21.7 seconds left with Boston having pulled Jeremy Swayman for the extra attacker.

From there, the Hurricanes had to hang on through one final clock-killing shift to protect the lead before they could finally celebrate.

Swayman finished with 28 saves for Boston.

Later, after DeBrusk had beaten Raanta from the top of the crease, Teravainen whipped a pass to Domi for a one-timer that blasted the puck past Swayman at 10:33 of the second for the 3-1 lead.

The Bruins, a tested veteran squad, were in the playoffs for the sixth straight season. That run included a sweep of the Hurricanes in the 2019 Eastern Conference finals, as well as a five-game win in the first round of the Toronto bubble a year later.

This time, the Hurricanes never trailed in the series before finally grinding through after dominating the Bruins in three regular-season meetings. And the Bruins head into an off-season with some uncertainty about the future of captain and longtime No. 1 centre Patrice Bergeron, who can become an unrestricted free agent after 18 seasons with the team.

Twice before, the Carolina Hurricanes had reached the playoffs only to see their ascent to becoming a serious Stanley Cup contender blocked by the Boston Bruins.

Mid-season acquisition Max Domi scored twice in the second period while Antti Raanta had 27 saves to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 on Saturday to win their first-round playoff series.

Teuvo Teravainen also scored for the Hurricanes, who finally put away a team that swept them in the 2019 Eastern Conference finals then took a five-game first-round series in the Toronto bubble a year later.

“It’s such a different feeling coming into this one,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “I think back in the other ones, if we would’ve won, you guys might have been a little surprised.

“This time around, I felt like it was our time. Our guys have matured. I think they felt that, too.”

Carolina moves on to the second round to face the winner of Sunday’s Game 7 between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

One thing is certain: winning the Metropolitan Division title paved the way by securing home-ice advantage. This was a series in which neither team could manage a road win, with the Hurricanes eventually getting the final word backed by yet another rowdy home crowd.

“Obviously we needed one on the road, and we couldn’t do that,” Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron said.

Carolina hung on after squandering a 2-0 series lead and then a clunker performance in Thursday’s Game 6 loss with a chance to advance.

Domi was an unlikely star in this one. Carolina acquired him ahead of the March trade deadline, and he rewarded them with his first career postseason goals. He also assisted on Teravainen’s goal with a perfect pass to the top of the crease for the first-period putaway.

“Obviously I was pretty lucky to come to a team like this,” Domi said.

Raanta continues steady play in net

Then there’s Raanta, who joined Frederik Andersen in the team’s overhaul of its goaltender position. But with Andersen injured late in the regular season, Raanta took the lead in the crease despite never starting a postseason game before.

He was again steady in net. His biggest stop came early with a full-split save to deny Taylor Hall near the left post on a two-on-one chance in the first period of a scoreless game.

David Pastrnak scored one with 21.7 seconds left with Boston having pulled Jeremy Swayman for the extra attacker. From there, the Hurricanes had to hang on through one tense clock-killing shift before they could celebrate.

Jake DeBrusk scored in the second period for the Bruins, while Swayman finished with 28 saves. But the Bruins found themselves playing catch-up after Domi’s first goal, which had him skating in on the left side to bury a redirect attempt from Jordan Staal at 3:14 of the second.

Later, after DeBrusk had beaten Raanta from the top of the crease, Teravainen whipped a pass to Domi for a one-timer. The puck zipped past Swayman at 10:33 of the second for the 3-1 lead and another goal coming within a few feet of the crease.

“We pride ourselves on D-zone coverage, stuff we’ve done very well all year,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Two breakdowns that, yeah, they made plays, but more on us not to get the job done defensively — be in the right spots, good sticks.”

Bergeron’s future

Bergeron, the longtime No. 1 centre, can become an unrestricted free agent after 18 seasons with the team. He has declined to talk about a new contract during the year, creating a possibility he could leave or retire.

He wasn’t ready afterward to think about what’s next.

“It’s too fresh right now,” Bergeron said. “It still stings obviously from a hard-fought series. Came up short, so obviously I’m going to have to think about it. But I’m not there right now.

The Bruins were in their sixth straight playoffs. But this marks the first time Boston exited without winning a series since falling in a six-game series to Ottawa in 2017.

Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov will have a hearing with the NHL department of player safety on Saturday.

The hearing follows Zadorov’s illegal check to the head of Dallas Stars forward Luke Glendening in the Flames’ Game 6 loss on Friday. No penalty was assessed on the play.

WATCH | Glendening exits Game 6 after Zadorov hit:

Stars’ Glendening leaves Game 6 after hit from Flames’ Zadorov

20 hours ago

Duration 1:44

Dallas centre Luke Glendening receives a hard check from Calgary defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Glendening leaves the ice and doesn’t play for the rest of the game.

Glendening left the game and didn’t return following the incident, which occurred at 3:50 of the second period of the game in Dallas.

The series is tied at three games each. The deciding Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night in Calgary.

On the season, the 27-year-old Zadorov had 22 points on four goals and 18 assists in 74 games. He has two assists in the six games of this opening-round playoff series.

Glendening, 33, had nine goals and 16 points in 82 regular-season contests but has not scored in this series.

WATCH | Stars’ Heiskanen scores winner to force Game 7:

Heiskanen scores winner as Stars beat Flames to force Game 7

19 hours ago

Duration 1:03

Dallas wins 4-2 in Game 6. The series finale of the first round series will be played Sunday in Calgary.

Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov will have a hearing with the NHL department of player safety on Saturday.

The hearing follows Zadorov’s illegal check to the head of Dallas Stars forward Luke Glendening in the Flames’ Game 6 loss on Friday. No penalty was assessed on the play.

WATCH | Glendening exits Game 6 after Zadorov hit:

Stars’ Glendening leaves Game 6 after hit from Flames’ Zadorov

20 hours ago

Duration 1:44

Dallas centre Luke Glendening receives a hard check from Calgary defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Glendening leaves the ice and doesn’t play for the rest of the game.

Glendening left the game and didn’t return following the incident, which occurred at 3:50 of the second period of the game in Dallas.

The series is tied at three games each. The deciding Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night in Calgary.

On the season, the 27-year-old Zadorov had 22 points on four goals and 18 assists in 74 games. He has two assists in the six games of this opening-round playoff series.

Glendening, 33, had nine goals and 16 points in 82 regular-season contests but has not scored in this series.

WATCH | Stars’ Heiskanen scores winner to force Game 7:

Heiskanen scores winner as Stars beat Flames to force Game 7

19 hours ago

Duration 1:03

Dallas wins 4-2 in Game 6. The series finale of the first round series will be played Sunday in Calgary.

Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov will not receive supplemental discipline from the NHL for his hit on Dallas Stars forward Luke Glendening, the league announced Saturday.

The hearing followed Zadorov’s illegal check to the head of Glendening in the Flames’ Game 6 loss on Friday. No penalty was assessed on the play.

Glendening left the game and didn’t return following the incident, which occurred at 3:50 of the second period of the game in Dallas.

“After thoroughly reviewing all available video and following a telephone hearing today, the Department of Player Safety has determined that there will be no supplemental discipline assessed to Calgary’s Nikita Zadorov for his hit against Dallas’ Luke Glendening,” the NHL Player Safety wrote on its Twitter account.

“While there was significant head contact on this play, Zadorov took a proper angle of approach, did not extend outward or upward, and hit through Glendening’s core. Therefore, under Rule 48.1 (i), the head contact was determined to be unavoidable.”

WATCH | Glendening exits Game 6 after Zadorov hit:

Stars’ Glendening leaves Game 6 after hit from Flames’ Zadorov

1 day ago

Duration 1:44

Dallas centre Luke Glendening receives a hard check from Calgary defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Glendening leaves the ice and doesn’t play for the rest of the game.

The series is tied at three games apiece. The deciding Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night in Calgary.

Zadorov, 27, recorded had 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) in 74 games this season. He has two assists in the six games of the playoff series.

Glendening, 33, had 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) and skated in all 82 games this season. He has not scored in this series.

WATCH | Stars’ Heiskanen scores winner to force Game 7:

Heiskanen scores winner as Stars beat Flames to force Game 7

1 day ago

Duration 1:03

Dallas wins 4-2 in Game 6. The series finale of the first round series will be played Sunday in Calgary.

Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov will not receive supplemental discipline from the NHL for his hit on Dallas Stars forward Luke Glendening, the league announced Saturday.

The hearing followed Zadorov’s illegal check to the head of Glendening in the Flames’ Game 6 loss on Friday. No penalty was assessed on the play.

Glendening left the game and didn’t return following the incident, which occurred at 3:50 of the second period of the game in Dallas.

“After thoroughly reviewing all available video and following a telephone hearing today, the Department of Player Safety has determined that there will be no supplemental discipline assessed to Calgary’s Nikita Zadorov for his hit against Dallas’ Luke Glendening,” the NHL Player Safety wrote on its Twitter account.

“While there was significant head contact on this play, Zadorov took a proper angle of approach, did not extend outward or upward, and hit through Glendening’s core. Therefore, under Rule 48.1 (i), the head contact was determined to be unavoidable.”

WATCH | Glendening exits Game 6 after Zadorov hit:

Stars’ Glendening leaves Game 6 after hit from Flames’ Zadorov

21 hours ago

Duration 1:44

Dallas centre Luke Glendening receives a hard check from Calgary defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Glendening leaves the ice and doesn’t play for the rest of the game.

The series is tied at three games apiece. The deciding Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night in Calgary.

Zadorov, 27, recorded had 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) in 74 games this season. He has two assists in the six games of the playoff series.

Glendening, 33, had 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) and skated in all 82 games this season. He has not scored in this series.

WATCH | Stars’ Heiskanen scores winner to force Game 7:

Heiskanen scores winner as Stars beat Flames to force Game 7

20 hours ago

Duration 1:03

Dallas wins 4-2 in Game 6. The series finale of the first round series will be played Sunday in Calgary.

Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov will not receive supplemental discipline from the NHL for his hit on Dallas Stars forward Luke Glendening, the league announced Saturday.

The hearing followed Zadorov’s illegal check to the head of Glendening in the Flames’ Game 6 loss on Friday. No penalty was assessed on the play.

Glendening left the game and didn’t return following the incident, which occurred at 3:50 of the second period of the game in Dallas.

“After thoroughly reviewing all available video and following a telephone hearing today, the Department of Player Safety has determined that there will be no supplemental discipline assessed to Calgary’s Nikita Zadorov for his hit against Dallas’ Luke Glendening,” the NHL Player Safety wrote on its Twitter account.

“While there was significant head contact on this play, Zadorov took a proper angle of approach, did not extend outward or upward, and hit through Glendening’s core. Therefore, under Rule 48.1 (i), the head contact was determined to be unavoidable.”

WATCH | Glendening exits Game 6 after Zadorov hit:

Stars’ Glendening leaves Game 6 after hit from Flames’ Zadorov

21 hours ago

Duration 1:44

Dallas centre Luke Glendening receives a hard check from Calgary defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Glendening leaves the ice and doesn’t play for the rest of the game.

The series is tied at three games apiece. The deciding Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night in Calgary.

Zadorov, 27, recorded had 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) in 74 games this season. He has two assists in the six games of the playoff series.

Glendening, 33, had 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) and skated in all 82 games this season. He has not scored in this series.

WATCH | Stars’ Heiskanen scores winner to force Game 7:

Heiskanen scores winner as Stars beat Flames to force Game 7

21 hours ago

Duration 1:03

Dallas wins 4-2 in Game 6. The series finale of the first round series will be played Sunday in Calgary.

Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov will have a hearing with the NHL department of player safety on Saturday.

The hearing follows Zadorov’s illegal check to the head of Dallas Stars forward Luke Glendening in the Flames’ Game 6 loss on Friday. No penalty was assessed on the play.

WATCH | Glendening exits Game 6 after Zadorov hit:

Stars’ Glendening leaves Game 6 after hit from Flames’ Zadorov

16 hours ago

Duration 1:44

Dallas centre Luke Glendening receives a hard check from Calgary defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Glendening leaves the ice and doesn’t play for the rest of the game.

Glendening left the game and didn’t return following the incident, which occurred at 3:50 of the second period of the game in Dallas.

The series is tied at three games each. The deciding Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night in Calgary.

On the season, the 27-year-old Zadorov had 22 points on four goals and 18 assists in 74 games. He has two assists in the six games of this opening-round playoff series.

Glendening, 33, had nine goals and 16 points in 82 regular-season contests but has not scored in this series.

WATCH | Stars’ Heiskanen scores winner to force Game 7:

Heiskanen scores winner as Stars beat Flames to force Game 7

15 hours ago

Duration 1:03

Dallas wins 4-2 in Game 6. The series finale of the first round series will be played Sunday in Calgary.

Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov will have a hearing with the NHL department of player safety on Saturday.

The hearing follows Zadorov’s illegal check to the head of Dallas Stars forward Luke Glendening in the Flames’ Game 6 loss on Friday. No penalty was assessed on the play.

WATCH | Glendening exits Game 6 after Zadorov hit:

Stars’ Glendening leaves Game 6 after hit from Flames’ Zadorov

17 hours ago

Duration 1:44

Dallas centre Luke Glendening receives a hard check from Calgary defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Glendening leaves the ice and doesn’t play for the rest of the game.

Glendening left the game and didn’t return following the incident, which occurred at 3:50 of the second period of the game in Dallas.

The series is tied at three games each. The deciding Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night in Calgary.

On the season, the 27-year-old Zadorov had 22 points on four goals and 18 assists in 74 games. He has two assists in the six games of this opening-round playoff series.

Glendening, 33, had nine goals and 16 points in 82 regular-season contests but has not scored in this series.

WATCH | Stars’ Heiskanen scores winner to force Game 7:

Heiskanen scores winner as Stars beat Flames to force Game 7

16 hours ago

Duration 1:03

Dallas wins 4-2 in Game 6. The series finale of the first round series will be played Sunday in Calgary.