Mikko Rantanen lifted the Colorado Avalanche into the playoff clash against the Seattle Kraken. Rantanen scored two goals in the second period when he equalized the 0–2 deficit to 2–2. In overtime, however, Jordan Eberle decided the game for Seattle.
Seattle took advantage of a suspension for Colorado’s Josh Manson in overtime. Eberle’s wrist shot on the power play ended the game exactly three minutes into the overtime period.
With his two goals, Rantanen is now up to five playoff goals. He shares the league lead in goals with Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl and the New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider.
Seattle played well against reigning champion Colorado, winning the shooting tally 43–22. Eeli Tolvanen in Seattle was still scoreless.
The victory may still come at a high price, as Seattle lost Jared McCann in the opening period due to injury. McCann, who was the team’s leading scorer in the regular season with 70 points (40 goals and 30 assists), was tackled by Colorado defenseman Cale Makar, and was forced to leave the ice.
Seattle evened the game series at 2-2 in victories.
Toronto took overtime victory over Tampa Bay
The Toronto Maple Leafs rose from an almost hopeless deficit to overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Toronto trailed 1–4, but took the game to overtime thanks to three goals in the third period.
Toronto superstar Auston Matthews scored twice, and Morgan Reilly tied the score at 4-4 with less than four minutes left in the game.
In extra time after just over four minutes, Alex Kerfoot scored the winning goal 5–4 in the power play.
Toronto thus goes up to a 3–1 lead in matches, and can secure its place in the top eight in the next meeting.
New Jersey evened the game series against the New York Rangers
The New Jersey Devils took their second win in a row in the match series against the favorite New York Rangers. The Devils won the fourth game 3–1, tying the series at 2–2 in victories.
The Swiss defender Jonas Siegenthaler was a great match hero when he scored the match’s winning goal and was noted for 1+1. For Siegenthaler, who didn’t even make the team in the second game, it was the first playoff point of his career.
The Golden Knights took their third win over the Jets
The Vegas Golden Knights won 4–2 over the Winnipeg Jets, extending their lead to 3–1 in victories. Brett Howden scored twice for the Golden Knights, who have now won three games in a row.
For the Winnipeg Jets, it looks difficult to turn the series into victory. The Jets have also been hit by injuries when playing without key back Josh Morrisey. Star forward Mark Scheifele was forced out of tonight’s game early in the opening period due to an upper-body injury.
NHL Playoffs:
Seattle – Colorado 3–2 after extra time
Mikko Rantanen COL 2+0, 0, 20.45
Artturi Lehkonen COL 0+0, 0, 22.36
Eeli Tolvanen SEA 0+0, -1, 16.48
2–2 in wins
Winnipeg – Vegas 2–4
Saku Mäenalanen WIN 0+0, -1, 6.40
1–3 in wins
Tampa Bay – Toronto 4-5 after overtime
1–3 in wins
NY Rangers – New Jersey 1–3
Niko Mikkola NYR 0+0, 0, 13.57
Kaapo Second NYR 0+0, -2, 12.41
Erik Haula NJD 0+1, +2, 19.00
2–2 in wins
Video images from Viaplay.
