NHL Stanley Cup: Eastern Conference Round Two Updates

As of today, round two of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, has been very exciting. Of the four series, one is tied at two games apiece, two are at 3-2 and the other at 3-1. There will be no sweeps in the 2017 NHL Conference Semifinals. Conference title play may start in a few days, depending on how long these series go. If a series or two plays out for the entire seven-game series, then these games will be done as late as Thursday, May 11 and the next round will start next weekend. Here’s a look at where we are at with the 2017 NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins lead this series three games to one and could finish off the Caps on Saturday, May 6. The game is on Washington’s home ice. In the series thus far, Washington has lost both of its home contests. The team’s one win came in Pittsburgh in OT with the finals being 3-2. Three of the four games have ended 3-2, except for the second one, which the Penguins won 6-3. In that three-goal win Phil Kessel and Jake Guentzel each had two goals for Pittsburgh.

We expect the Penguins to take down the Caps.

Capital vs. Penguins Schedule and Results

• Game 1: Penguins 3, Capitals 2 (PIT leads series 1-0)
• Game 2: Penguins 6, Capitals 2 (PIT leads series 2-0)
• Game 3: Capitals 3, Penguins 2 (OT) (PIT leads series 2-1)
• Game 4: Penguins 3, Capitals 2 (PIT leads series 3-1)
• Game 5: Penguins at Capitals, Saturday, May 6, 7:15 p.m.
• Game 6: Capitals at Penguins, Monday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.*
• Game 7: Penguins at Capitals, Wednesday, May 10, TBD*
  *If necessary

Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers

The Senators and Rangers 2017 NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals have been a back and forth match. There’s no love lost between these two teams and every goal is earned. The Senators started the series at home and took the first game 2-1.

Game two was an epic event as the Senators were down by two goals with less than four minutes to go. At 16:41, Ottawa came within one on a goal scored by Jean-Gabriel Pageau and assisted by Dion Phaneuf and Zack Smith. They tied it at 18:58 on another goal scored by Pageau who was assisted by Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. The game ended 6-5 in the second overtime after Pageau scored his fourth goal of the game and third in a row on a one timer. That put the Senators ahead in the series two to zip.

Then the series shifted to the Rangers’ home ice at Madison Square Garden. New York won both of those games 4-1. That tied the series at two games each. The two teams are back in Ottawa today for a 3 p.m. game.

This 2017 NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals series is a real home event, which means the Senators in seven. That means the next round won’t start until next weekend.

Senators vs. Rangers Schedule and Results

• Game 1: Senators 2, Rangers 1 (OTT leads series 1-0)
• Game 2: Senators 6, Rangers 5 (2OT) (OTT leads series 2-0)
• Game 3: Rangers 4, Senators 1 (OTT leads series 2-1)
• Game 4: Rangers 4, Senators 1 (series tied 2-2)
• Game 5: Rangers at Senators, Saturday, May 6, 3 p.m.
• Game 6: Senators at Rangers, Tuesday, May 9, TBD
• Game 7: Rangers at Senators, Thursday, May 11, TBD*
  *If necessary

2017 NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Final Word

Although many are saying, “what is going on with the Capitals,” their fans have been here before. The Caps have earned a reputation of crashing and burning in the payoffs and they are remaining true to what many of their followers have come to expect. Pittsburgh is playing well and they will be tough to beat.

The Rangers and Senators will go to the mat in this series. Never count the Senators out. They are not usually the most exciting team to watch as they tend to play a slower defensive game, but they are grinders and manage to come back time and again. New York’s D is off and on, but they certainly have the firepower to score. I give the disciplined Senators a slight edge in this 2017 NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals series even if its simply due to their possessing home ice. We’ve also taken a moment to update the Western Conference Semifinals.