Daily NHL Recap: Handshakes!

Missed out on hockey over the weekend? Let us keep you updated as the Stanley Cup Playoffs heat up, the Phantoms advance, and the IIHF U18 Men’s World Tournament unfolds heading into next week.

Eastern Conference

Kaapo Kakko scored 57 seconds into the game and the Rangers never trailed en route to a 4-2 victory and a series sweep of the Washington Capitals.

The New York Islanders staved off elimination with a thrilling double-overtime victory over Carolina on Saturday night. The series heads back to Carolina with the Hurricanes leading the series 3-1.

Tampa Bay clobbered the Florida Panthers 6-3 Saturday night to extend the series for at least one more game as the teams head back to Sunrise, Florida with the Panthers leading 3-1.

Bruins captain Brad Marchand scored a goal and added an assist as the Boston Bruins won 3-1 in Toronto on Saturday, taking both road games and heading back to Boston up 3-1 in the series.

Western Conference

Avalanche roll 5-1, propelled by Valeri Nichushkin’s hat-trick, take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Elias Lindholm netted the game-winning overtime goal, while Brock Boeser secured all three regulation goals en route to a 4-3 victory, propelling Vancouver to a 3-1 series lead and placing Nashville on the brink of elimination.

COMEBACK COMPLETE! ✅ #StanleyCup

Elias Lindholm gives the @Canucks a 3-1 series lead with his @SportChek overtime winner! pic.twitter.com/MndFLqZ3EQ

— NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2024

Wyatt Johnston scored in overtime for the Dallas Stars Saturday night to get back into the series against the Vegas Golden Knights with a 3-2 road victory. Game four is Monday night in Vegas where the Golden Knights lead 2-1 in the series.

Evan Bouchard scored his first goal of the series on Sunday night and helped propel Edmonton to a 3-1 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings. Stuart Skinner stopped all 33 shots sent his way. The series heads back to Edmonton for game five on Wednesday night.

Phantoms Playoffs Update

The Phantoms swept their best-of-three series against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. Jacob Gaucher sealed the series with an overtime goal for Lehigh, while Louie Belpedio contributed a team-high four points in the series, all as assists. The Phantoms take on the Hershey Bears in the next round of the Calder Cup Playoffs with game one on Wednesday May 1.

GAUCHER PUTS US THROUGH!🤩🤩🤩#LVvsWBS | #RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/HD5q1HuGiz

— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) April 27, 2024

U18 Mens Worlds

Team USA is off to a 3-0 start in Group A, outscoring their opponents 24-3 in the span. James Hagens (4g, 6a) and Cole Eiserman (6g, 2a) lead USA in scoring and will take on co-group leader, Finland, on Monday April 30.