Colorado sits at the top of the board at +350, making them the slight favorite to hoist the Cup. That number reflects both their on-ice performance and the betting public's confidence in their roster. Nathan MacKinnon continues to be one of the most dominant forces in the game, and when Colorado is healthy and clicking, they are a legitimate threat to beat anyone in a seven-game series.
We definitely were not at our best tonight. But we found a way to win. So if the Islanders are to be criticized for not being their best over the full course of the match, they must be praised for their resiliency. Or, as coach Patrick Roy described it, their confidence and swagger in knowing they could rally.
Florida shook off disappointing losses to Toronto and Montreal and left Canada with a big two points after grinding out a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. Gustav Forsling and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and and assist and Evan Rodrigues ended a long goalless drought to knot the score in the first period. Aaron Ekblad contributed a pair of helpers and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 17 of 19 shots to collect his 18th win of the campaign.
SAN JOSE The Sharks' success was once so constant, so reliable, so predictable, that they ran out of room to hang their accolades. With twenty playoff appearances in 24 years, the Sharks literally filled up an entire banner at their practice facility, top to bottom, with their postseason berths. It was such steady excellence that the team had to commission a new banner just to keep up.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was on a mission to change the roster for the better. Last season left a bad taste in his mouth and he wanted to make changes. He re-signed two of his biggest players, center Gabe Vilardi (six-year deal) and defenseman Dylan Samberg (three-year deal). He then went out in free agency and added some depth but those players filled holes.
