= 2001 = 2002 = 2003 = 2004 = 2006 = 2007 = 2008 = 2009 = 2010 = 2011 = 2012 = 2014 = 2015 = 2016 = 2017 = 2018 = 2019 = 2020 =
2020. It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it?
On March 12, 2020, the National Hockey League suspended the season due to the coronavirus pandemic. This came a day after the NBA did the same thing in lieu of one of their players acting like a jackass (but the suspension was inevitable anyway, it just might have taken a few more days or weeks). As a result, the 2020 playoffs were not held in the spring. It was not until late-July that the NHL was to return to play, only in select cities in Canada - Toronto and Edmonton, and to rinks devoid of spectators. Oh and canned crowd noise was blasted after every goal. Yeah. They did that.
But that wasn’t the only thing that changed.
The entire format of the playoffs changed dramatically, as you’ll see below. (I assume when things return to “normal” - whatever that will be - the playoffs will return to the normal format in 2021... or 2022?) 24 teams will enter the pandemic playoffs, and one will come away with the Cup! (Assuming that the playoffs don’t have to be shut down if/when a bunch of players get infected. Chicago’s netminder Corey Crawford actually had contracted COVID-19 and recovered and was playing in a somewhat weakened state.) Anyway, here it is, explained, in the simplest way possible, from NHL.com:
In each Conference, teams seeded by points percentage.
- Round Robin: The top 4 teams play for First Round seeding (regular-season overtime rules in effect)
- Qualifying Round: The remaining 8 teams play best-of-5 series to advance to the First Round (playoff overtime rules in effect). This is technically not considered the actual official first round of the playoffs. But I’m including this and the Round Robin in this writeup anyway.
- First Round and Second Round: Format (seeding vs. bracket) and series lengths will be best-of-seven.
- Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final: Best-of-7 series will take place at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
- The winners from the Qualifying Round play the top 4 seeds in the First Round. Individual First Round series matchups remain to be determined.
So... clear as mud, right?
With all of that out of the way, let’s begin:
Qualifying and Round Robins
Western Conference
Round Robins
GAME ONE: Colorado Avalanche 2 VS St. Louis Blues 1 - August 2
With a tiny fraction of a second to go Colorado’s Kardi made it 2-1 to win the game.
GAME TWO: Vegas Golden Knights 5 VS Dallas Stars 3 - August 3
The Knights rallied for a four-goal third to take the W in their first Round Robin game.
GAME THREE: Colorado Avalanche 4 VS Dallas Stars 0 - August 5
Pavel Francouz made 27 saves for the ‘Lanche for his Round Robin shutout of the Stars.
GAME FOUR: Vegas Golden Knights 6 VS St. Louis Blues 4 - August 6
After their dominating pandemic-shortened regular season, maybe the defending Cup champions Blues are finally having their “Cup Hangover.”
GAME FIVE: Vegas Golden Knights 4 VS Colorado Avalanche 3 (OT) - August 8
Alex Tuch scored with 16 seconds left in overtime to give the Golden Knights a 4-3 win against Colorado, which gives Vegas the top seed in the West.
GAME SIX: Dallas Stars 2 VS St. Louis Blues 1 - August 9
In the final Round Robin game the Blues are once again defeated.
Qualifiers
#5 Edmonton Oilers vs. #12 Chicago Blackhawks
GAME ONE: CHICAGO 6 at EDMONTON 4 - August 1
Rookie Dominik Kubalik had two goals and three assists for the Blackhawks in their win against the Edmonton Oilers on their home turf... even though, without fans present, it really isn’t a home ice advantage.
GAME TWO: CHICAGO 3 at EDMONTON 6 - August 3
Connor McDavid scored his first postseason NHL hat trick for the Oilers in the win against the Blackhawks in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.
GAME THREE: CHICAGO 4 at EDMONTON 3 - August 5
Jonathan Toews scored the go-ahead goal with 1:16 remaining to help the ‘Hawks get the win and the series lead.
GAME FOUR: CHICAGO 3 at EDMONTON 2 - August 7
The Blackhawks advance with a 3-2 win.
Blackhawks win series 3-1
#6 Nashville Predators vs. #11 Arizona Coyotes
GAME ONE: ARIZONA 4 vs NASHVILLE 3 - August 2
Arizona’s Christian Dvorak had a goal and an assist, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Clayton Keller and Michael Grabner scored for the Coyotes for a Howling Game One.
GAME TWO: NASHVILLE 4 vs ARIZONA 2 - August 4
Juuse Saros made 24 saves for his first NHL postseason win, and the Nashville Predators make Coyotes the prey in Game Two.
GAME THREE: ARIZONA 4 vs NASHVILLE 1 - August 5
The tit-for-tat continues and Arizona takes Game Three for the commanding series lead.
GAME FOUR: NASHVILLE 3 vs ARIZONA 4 (OT)- August 7
Brad Richardson scored the game-winner at 5:27 of overtime, backhanding his own rebound into the net. With that, he sends the ‘Yotes to Round One.
Coyotes win series 3-1
#7 Vancouver Canucks vs. #10 Minnesota Wild
GAME ONE: MINNESOTA 3 vs VANCOUVER 0 - August 2
Alex Stalock made 28 saves in his first NHL postseason win to help Minnesota have a wild Game One.
GAME TWO: VANCOUVER 4 vs MINNESOTA 3 - August 4
J.T. Miller and Bo Horvat each had a goal and an assist for the Canucks as they took Game Two to even the series.
GAME THREE: VANCOUVER 3 vs MINNESOTA 0 - August 6
Vancouver grabs the commanding series lead with a 27-save shutout by Jacob Markstrum.
GAME FOUR: VANCOUVER 5 vs MINNESOTA 4 (OT) - August 7
Christopher Tanev scored 11 seconds into overtime to give the Canucknuckleheads the 5-4 win so that they can qualify for the run for the Cup!
Canucks win series 3-1
#8 Calgary Flames vs. #9 Winnipeg Jets
GAME ONE: CALGARY 4 vs WINNIPEG 1 - August 1
The Flames shoot down the Jets in Game One.
GAME TWO: WINNIPEG 3 vs CALGARY 2 - August 3
Winnipeg bounced back with a 3-2 Game Two win.
GAME THREE: CALGARY 6 vs WINNIPEG 2 - August 4
The Flames take the commanding series lead with a 6-2 win.
GAME FOUR: CALGARY 4 vs WINNIPEG 0 - August 6
Calgary moves on to the next round in these Pandemic playoffs with a shutout.
Flames win series 3-1
Eastern Conference
Round Robins
GAME ONE: Philadelphia Flyers 4 VS Boston Bruins 1 - August 2
Philly busts the Bruins in the first Round Robin game in the East.
GAME TWO: Tampa Bay Lightning 3 VS Washington Capitals 2 (SO) - August 3
Tampa Bay wins in a shootout.... yes, that’s right, a shootout in the NHL playoffs. 2020, ammiright?
GAME THREE: Tampa Bay Lightning 3 VS Boston Bruins 2 - August 5
Tampa Bay wins another Round Robin game, this time in regulation.
GAME FOUR: Washington Capitals 1 VS Philadelphia Flyers 3 - August 6
The Flyers win yet another RR game. Not Red Robin. Round Robin.
GAME FIVE: Philadelphia Flyers 4 VS Tampa Bay Lightning 1 - August 8
Flyers clinched the top seed in the East with this victory.
GAME SIX: Boston Bruins 1 VS Washington Capitals 2 - August 9
In the final East Round Robin game the Capitals down the Bruins 2-1.
Qualifiers
#5 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #12 Montreal Canadiens
GAME ONE: MONTREAL 3 vs PITTSBURGH 2 (OT) - August 1
It took overtime to decided this tilt where Montreal was the victor.
GAME TWO: PITTSBURGH 3 vs MONTREAL 1 - August 3
The Penguins were flappin’ in this Game Two win.
GAME THREE: PITTSBURGH 3 vs MONTREAL 4 - August 5
The Canadiens bounce back to take Game Three and the commanding series lead.
GAME FOUR: PITTSBURGH 0 vs MONTREAL 2 - August 7
Artturi Lehkonen scored with 4:11 remaining in the third period to help the Montreal Canadiens order another round in the Pandemic Playoffs! Carey Price made 22 saves in the shutout.
Canadiens win series 3-1
#6 Carolina Hurricanes vs. #11 New York Rangers
GAME ONE: CAROLINA 3 vs NEW YORK RANGERS 2 - August 1
A hurricane blows into the Big Apple for Game One.
GAME TWO: CAROLINA 4 vs NEW YORK RANGERS 1 - August 3
Carolina once again emerges the victor to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
GAME THREE: CAROLINA 4 vs NEW YORK RANGERS 1 - August 4
In the first 3-0 NHL series sweep in a long time, Carolina moves onto the next round in the Pandemic Playoffs.
Hurricanes win series 3-0
#7 New York Islanders vs. #10 Florida Panthers
GAME ONE: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 2 vs FLORIDA 1 - August 1
At least one team in New York can win a 2020 playoff game.
GAME TWO: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 4 vs FLORIDA 2 - August 4
And they win another one for the commanding 2-0 series lead.
GAME THREE: FLORIDA 3 vs NEW YORK ISLANDERS 2 - August 5
The Panthers pounced in Game Three.
GAME FOUR: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 5 vs FLORIDA 1 - August 7
Anthony Beauvillier scored two goals, and Semyon Varlamov made 24 saves for the Islanders as they advance to the First Round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That sounds weird, doesn’t it?
Islanders win series 3-1
#8 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. #9 Columbus Blue Jackets
GAME ONE: COLUMBUS 2 at TORONTO 0 - August 2
It’s good to be the BJs in Game One.
GAME TWO: COLUMBUS 0 at TORONTO 3 - August 4
The Maples Leafs bounced back to take Game Two.
GAME THREE: COLUMBUS 4 at TORONTO 3 - August 6
Columbus takes Game Three and the commanding 2-1 series lead.
GAME FOUR: COLUMBUS 3 at TORONTO 4 (OT) - August 7
This is a 2020 hockey game if there ever was one. With just 3 minutes and change left, the Leafs facing elimination and down 3-0, with the goalie pulled, they scored three goals to tie the game before regulation ended! And then Auston Matthews scored 13:10 into overtime to keep Toronto alive!
GAME FIVE: COLUMBUS 3 at TORONTO 0 - August 9
After their embarrassing loss the previous game, the BJ’s didn’t blow this game, clinching the series and their spot in Round One.
Blue Jackets win series 3-2
And now on to the actual playoff rounds...
Round One - Conference Quarterfinals
Western Conference
#1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. #8 Chicago Blackhawks
Not only is this the first time these two teams have ever met in the playoffs, it’s the first time Vegas has a #1 seed.
GAME ONE: VEGAS 4 “at” CHICAGO 1 - August 11
It’s a sure bet that Vegas liked how this series started. Reilly Smith scored two goals and had an assist for the Golden Knights to help them take the series lead.
GAME TWO: CHICAGO 3 “at” VEGAS 4 (OT) - August 13
Reilly Smith Reilly Smithy is the hero again, scoring 7:13 into overtime to give Vegas the 2-0 series lead.
GAME THREE: VEGAS 2 “at” CHICAGO 1 - August 15
Marc-Andre Fleury makes 26 saves and William Karlsson and Patrick Brown score for the Knights, and Vegas takes a commanding 3-0 series lead. Olli Maatta tallied for the ‘Hawks.
GAME FOUR: VEGAS 1 “at” CHICAGO 3 - August 16
The ‘Hawks live to play another day. Corey Crawford made 48 saves and
Drake Caggiula, Matthew Highmore and Alex DeBrincat scored for Chicago.
GAME FIVE: CHICAGO 3 “at” VEGAS 4 - August 18
The Knights slay the ‘Hawks and move on.
Golden Knights win series 4-1
#2 Colorado Avalanche vs. #7 Arizona Coyotes
Would the Avalanche bury the desert dogs? Or would the Coyotes howl into the Second Round?
GAME ONE: ARIZONA 0 “at” COLORADO 3 - August 12
The Avalanche scored three goals in a 1:23 span in the third period for a 3-0 win. Mikko Rantanen, J.T. Compher and Nazem Kadri scored, and Philipp Grubauer made 14 saves for Colorado.
GAME TWO: ARIZONA 2 “at” COLORADO 3 - August 14
Andre Burakovsky scored the late go-ahead goal with 2:53 remaining in the third and the ‘Lanche lead 2-0 in the series.
GAME THREE: COLORADO 2 “at” ARIZONA 4 - August 15
Darcy Kuemper made 49 saves, and the Coyotes got their first win of the Pandemic Playoffs.
GAME FOUR: COLORADO 7 “at” ARIZONA 1 - August 17
In this game the Avalanche just opened up a giant can of Whoop Ass on the desert dogs.
GAME FIVE: ARIZONA 1 “at” COLORADO 7 - August 19
The Avalanche bury the lapdogs to win the series.
Avalanche wins series 4-1
#3 Dallas Stars vs. #6 Calgary Flames
I’ll bet that the Flames were hoping this year’s first round would go waaaaayyyyy better than last year’s.
GAME ONE: CALGARY 3 “at” DALLAS 2 - August 11
Dillon Dube scored twice to help the Flames burn the Stars out in Game One.
GAME TWO: CALGARY 4 “at” DALLAS 5 - August 13
Jamie Oleksiak scored the tie-breaking goal goal with only 40 seconds remaining to douse the Flames for Dallas.
GAME THREE: DALLAS 0 “at” CALGARY 2 - August 14
Cam Talbot made 35 saves to shut out the Stars.
GAME FOUR: DALLAS 5 “at” CALGARY 4 (OT) - August 16
Alexander Radulov scored at 16:05 of the extra tilt to life Dallas to the Dubya.
GAME FIVE: CALGARY 1 “at” DALLAS 2 - August 18
With the Game Five win Dallas puts Calgary on the brink.
GAME SIX: DALLAS 7 “at” CALGARY 3 - August 20
The Stars turn the Flames over on their knee and spank them back to the golf course.
Stars win series 4-2
#4 St. Louis Blues vs. #5 Vancouver Canucks
The last time these two teams met in the playoffs it was 2009, the Blues were still rebuilding from their mid-00’s awful years, barely even made the playoffs, and were swept. But now the defending Stanley Cup Champions expected this series to go much differently!
GAME ONE: VANCOUVER 5 “at” ST. LOUIS 2 - August 12
Bo Horvat scored twice for the Canucks to help defeat the defending Cup champs in Game One.
GAME TWO: VANCOUVER 4 “at” ST. LOUIS 3 (OT) - August 14
Bo Horvat strikes again, scoring his second goal of the game 5:55 into overtime.
GAME THREE: ST. LOUIS 3 “at” VANCOUVER 2 (OT)- August 16
Brayden Schenn scored on a breakaway 15:06 into overtime and holy shit, the defending Cup champs finally have a Pandemic Playoffs win! Jake Allen made 39 saves in the win for his first playoff start since 2017. Hmm. Is “Sir Winnington”’s top spot in trouble?
GAME FOUR: ST. LOUIS 3 “at” VANCOUVER 1 - August 17
Ryan O'Reilly had two goals and an assist, Jake Allen made 22 saves, and captain Alex Pietrangelo had a goal and an assist, all to help the Blues win and even up the series.
GAME FIVE: VANCOUVER 4 “at” ST. LOUIS 3 - August 19
Vancouver regains the series lead and puts the defending Cup Champs on the ropes.
GAME SIX: ST. LOUIS 2 “at” VANCOUVER 6 - August 21
The defending Champs defend the Cup no more. Vancouver moves on.
Canuckleheads win series 4-2
Eastern Conference
#1 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens
Would the Flyers fly over Montreal, or would the Canadiens give Philadelphia a positive COVID test?
GAME ONE: MONTREAL 1 “at” PHILADELPHIA 2 - August 12
Carter Hart made 27 saves for the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2-1 win. Jakub Voracek and Joel Farabee scored for Philly.
GAME TWO: MONTREAL 5 “at” PHILADELPHIA 0 - August 14
Carey Price makes 30 saves, and the Montreal Canadiens even the series. Tomas Tatar and Jesperi Kotkaniemi each scored twice for the Habs.
GAME THREE: PHILADELPHIA 1 “at” MONTREAL 0 - August 16
Carter Hart made 23 saves in the shutout of the Habs.
GAME FOUR: PHILADELPHIA 2 “at” MONTREAL 1 - August 18
The Flyers takes commanding 3-1 series lead in this win.
GAME FIVE: MONTREAL 5 “at” PHILADELPHIA 3 - August 19
The Habs stay alive with a 5-3 win.
GAME SIX: PHILADELPHIA 3 “at” MONTREAL 2 - August 21
The Flyers fly to Round Two.
Flyers win series 4-2
#2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #7 Columbus Blue Jackets
Is this the first time these two teams have ever played each other in the playoffs?
GAME ONE: COLUMBUS 2 “at” TAMPA BAY 3 (5OT) - August 11
Yes, that was not a typo, it took FIVE overtimes to decide this tilt! Brayden Point scored a point - a goal - 10:27 into the fifth overtime to end the fourth-longest game in NHL history.
GAME TWO: COLUMBUS 3 “at” TAMPA BAY 1 - August 13
It didn’t take 5 overtimes this time. Ryan Murray and Oliver Bjorkstrand scored in the first period for Columbus to even the series.
GAME THREE: TAMPA BAY 3 “at” COLUMBUS 2 - August 15
Brayden Point and Victor Hedman scored in the second to help Tampa take the tilt.
GAME FOUR: TAMPA BAY 2 “at” COLUMBUS 1 - August 17
Barclay Goodrow and Yanni Gourde tallied, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves to give the Bolts the win.
GAME FIVE: COLUMBUS 4 “at” TAMPA BAY 5 (OT) - August 19
Tampa Bay swats the Blue Jackets to take the series in dramatic overtime fashion. They finally exorcised that 2019 playoff demon.
Tampa Bay wins series 4-1
#3 Washington Capitals vs. #6 New York Islanders
Who would be the victor in the Pandemic Playoffs? The Caps or the Isles?
GAME ONE: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 4 “at” WASHINGTON 2 - August 12
New York takes Game One by scoring four straight goals in a monster rally, without a truck.
GAME TWO: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 5 “at” WASHINGTON 2 - August 14
Alexander Ovechkin finally scored his first two goals of the playoffs. It didn’t matter much, though, as Nick Leddy, Matt Martin and Brock Nelson scored for New York to help them get the 2-0 series lead.
GAME THREE: WASHINGTON 1 “at” NEW YORK ISLANDERS 2 (OT) - August 16
The Islanders score in OT for the win.
GAME FOUR: WASHINGTON 3 “at” NEW YORK ISLANDERS 2 - August 18
The Caps get one back.
GAME FIVE: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 4 “at” WASHINGTON 0 - August 20
With a shutout, New York shuts Washington out of the playoffs.
New York Islanders win series 4-1
#4 Boston Bruins vs. #5 Carolina Hurricanes
Would the ‘Canes cane Boston? Or would the Bruins be Booin’ Carolina?
GAME ONE: CAROLINA 3 “at” BOSTON 4 (2OT) - August 12
Patrice Bergeron scored at 1:13 of the second overtime to help Bahhhstun take Game One.
GAME TWO: CAROLINA 3 “at” BOSTON 2 - August 13
Dougie Hamilton scored the go-ahead goal early in the 3rd for the Carolina Hurricanes to help them tie up the series.
GAME THREE: BOSTON 3 “at” CAROLINA 1 - August 15
Boston strikes back in the Game Three win.
GAME FOUR: BOSTON 4 “at” CAROLINA 3 - August 17
Boston takes the commanding 3-1 series lead with this win.
GAME FIVE: CAROLINA 1 “at” BOSTON 2 - August 19
With a 2-1 win, the Bruins order another round.
Bruins win series 4-1
Round Two - Conference Semifinals
Western Conference
#1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. #5 Vancouver Canucks
These two teams had never met before in the playoffs. But most of the bets were on Vegas!
GAME ONE: VANCOUVER 0 “at” VEGAS 5 - August 22
Robin Lehner makes 26 saves for his first NHL postseason shutout as Vegas takes Game One.
GAME TWO: VANCOUVER 5 “at” VEGAS 2 - August 24
Bo Horvat scored twice, Elias Pettersson had a goal and two assists, and Jacob Markstrom made 38 saves for Vancouver as they evened up the series.
GAME THREE: VEGAS 3 “at” VANCOUVER 0 - August 29
Robin Lehner made 31 saves, and the Vegas Golden Knights shut out the Canuckleheads to gain the series lead. This game was originally scheduled for August 27th, but all NHL players on the remaining teams went on a short strike to protest ongoing police brutality. (The NBA also went on a short strike.)
GAME FOUR: VEGAS 5 “at” VANCOUVER 3 - August 30
Vegas scored three goals in a 5:37 span in the third to rally to take Game Four and take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
GAME FIVE: VANCOUVER 2 “at” VEGAS 1 - September 1
Thather Demko made 42 saves in his very first Stanley Cup Playoff start to help Vancouver stay alive.
GAME SIX: VEGAS 0 “at” VANCOUVER 4 - September 3
Thather Demko, this time with a 48-save shutout, is the hero again, and the Canuckleheads force Game Seven.
GAME SEVEN: VANCOUVER 0 “at” VEGAS 3 - September 4
Robin Lehner made 14 saves for his third shutout of the series to send Vegas to another round and send Vancouver to the golf course.
Golden Knights win series 4-3
#2 Colorado Avalanche vs. #3 Dallas Stars
Would the Avalanche bury the Stars?
GAME ONE: DALLAS 5 “at” COLORADO 3 - August 22
Alexander Radulov had two goals and an assist for the Stars in Dallas’ Game One win.
GAME TWO: DALLAS 5 “at” COLORADO 2 - August 24
The Stars scored five straight goals, including a 4-goal second period, in their 5-2 Game Two win.
GAME THREE: COLORADO 6 “at” DALLAS 4 - August 26
Nazem Kadri scored the go-ahead goal in a six-goal third period to finally put the Stars away for good. Dallas scored three straight goals in the third period to erase Colorado’s 2-goal lead and take the lead themselves. But Colorado came back and took the lead again, making for a history-making Cup playoffs game, as it was the first time a team gave up a two-goal lead in the third, but then reclaimed the lead and won anyway.
GAME FOUR: COLORADO 4 “at” DALLAS 5 - August 30
The Stars scored twice in 32 seconds in the third on their way to their Game Four win and commanding 3-1 series lead.
GAME FIVE: DALLAS 3 “at” COLORADO 6 - August 31
Michael Hutchinson made 31 saves in his first Stanley Cup Playoff start to help Colorado stay alive.
GAME SIX: COLORADO 4 “at” DALLAS 1 - September 2
Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist as the Avalanche once again live to see another game.
GAME SEVEN: DALLAS 5 “at” COLORADO 4 (OT) - September 4
Joel Kiviranta scored 7:24 into overtime to complete his very first NHL hat trick and the Stars will shine on into Round Three.
Stars win series 4-3
Eastern Conference
#1 Philadelphia Flyers vs. #6 New York Islanders
Would Philadelphia still be flying after Round One? Or would New York move onto the island of Round Three?
GAME ONE: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 4 “at” PHILADELPHIA 0 - August 24
Semyon Varlamov made 29 saves for the Islanders in his second consecutive shutout. Andy Greene, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anders Lee and Devon Toews tallied for New York.
GAME TWO: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 3 “at” PHILADELPHIA 4 (OT) - August 26
Philippe Myers scored 2:41 into overtime for Philly to even up the series.
GAME THREE: PHILADELPHIA 1 “at” NEW YORK ISLANDERS 3 - August 29
Leo Komarov scored to break a tie late in the second period to help New York take the series lead. This game was originally scheduled for August 27th, but all NHL players on the remaining teams went on a short strike to protest ongoing police brutality. (The NBA also went on a short strike.)
GAME FOUR: PHILADELPHIA 2 “at” NEW YORK ISLANDERS 3 - August 30
Brock Nelson scored twice, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau broke a 1-1 tie on a breakaway at 7:19 of the third to help win another game for Manhattan.
GAME FIVE: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 3 “at” PHILADELPHIA 4 (OT) - September 1
Scott Laughton scored at 12:20 of overtime to keep Philly alive!
GAME SIX: PHILADELPHIA 5 “at” NEW YORK ISLANDERS 4 (2OT) - September 3
Ivan Provorov scored at 15:03 of double overtime and Philly stayed alive again and evened up the series.
GAME SEVEN: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 4 “at” PHILADELPHIA 0 - September 5
The Islanders shut out Philly to move on to the Conference Finals.
New York Islanders win series 4-3
#2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #4 Boston Bruins
Would Lightning strike twice in the Pandemic Playoffs? Yes. Yes, it would.
GAME ONE: BOSTON 3 “at” TAMPA BAY 2 - August 23
Jaroslav Halak made 35 saves for the Boston as they held off Tampa Bay for the Game One win. Halak was 4-0 in the playoffs after Boston’s starting goaltender Tuuka Rask opted out of the Pandemic Playoffs about a week before.
GAME TWO: BOSTON 3 “at” TAMPA BAY 4 (OT) - August 25
Ondrej Palat scored at 4:40 of overtime to win Game Two for Tampa and even up the series.
GAME THREE: TAMPA BAY 7 “at” BOSTON 1 - August 26
Nikita Kucherov scored four points for Tampa as they opened up a can of whoopass on the Bruins in their 7-1 Game Three win to take the series lead.
GAME FOUR: TAMPA BAY 3 “at” BOSTON 1 - August 29
Ondrej Palat scored twice and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves as Tampa puts the defending Eastern Conference champs in the brink.
GAME FIVE: BOSTON 2 “at” TAMPA BAY 3 (OT) - August 31
Bring out the hilarious Brad Marchand cry-face memes from the 2019 playoffs! Victor Hedman scored at 14:10 of the second overtime to help Tampa order another round!
Tampa Bay wins series 4-1
Round Three - Conference Finals
Western Conference
#1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. #3 Dallas Stars
Would the still-new Golden Knights team make it once again to the Cup Finals? Or would the Stars bet on a chance to win their first Cup since 1999?
GAME ONE: DALLAS 1 “at” VEGAS 0 - September 6
TBA
GAME TWO: DALLAS 0 “at” VEGAS 3 - September 8
TBA
GAME THREE: VEGAS 2 “at” DALLAS 3 (OT)- September 10
TBA
GAME FOUR: VEGAS 1 “at” DALLAS 2 - September 12
TBA
GAME FIVE: DALLAS 3 “at” VEGAS 2 (OT) - September 14
TBA
Stars win series 4-1
Eastern Conference
#2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #6 New York Islanders
Would Lightning strike thrice in the Pandemic Playoffs?
GAME ONE: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 2 “at” TAMPA BAY 8 - September 7
TBA
GAME TWO: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 1 “at” TAMPA BAY 2 - September 9
TBA
GAME THREE: TAMPA BAY 3 “at” NEW YORK ISLANDERS 5 - September 11
TBA
GAME FOUR: TAMPA BAY 4 “at” NEW YORK ISLANDERS 1 - September 13
TBA
GAME FIVE: NEW YORK ISLANDERS “at” TAMPA BAY - September 15
TBA
GAME SIX: TAMPA BAY “at” NEW YORK ISLANDERS - September 17*
TBA
GAME SEVEN: NEW YORK ISLANDERS “at” TAMPA BAY - September 19*
TBA
*if necessary
Lightning lead series 3-1