Saturday’s games:
Predators 5, Avalanche 4 (Predators lead 2-0)
The Preds led 3-1, 4-2 and 5-3 and the Avs just kept coming, but in the end, they didn’t have enough gas to find an equalizer and head to Denver down 2-0 in the best-of-7 series. Kevin Fiala led the way for the Preds with a goal and an assist. Nathan MacKinnon scored his first goal of the series, so the Avs will be hoping that opens the floodgates in Game 3.
Lightning 5, Devils 3 (Lightning lead 2-0)
Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists and the Lightning put up five goals for the second time in the series. And while Kucherov had a good game, it’s the second line of Brayden Point, Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson who kept doing the heavy lifting for Tampa. That line had four more points in Saturday’s game and now have 10 over the first two games as the series shifts to New Jersey,
Bruins 7, Maple Leafs 3 (Bruins lead 2-0)
You can read about the battering here. The TL;DR version: David Pastrnak gets a hat trick and records six points. Bruins notch four goals on their first seven shots, chase Frederik Andersen in the first period and cruised to their second dominant win. Toronto needs help. Fast.
Sharks 3, Ducks 2 (Sharks lead 2-0)
Tomas Hertl’s first goal of the playoffs 1:11 into the second period stood as the game-winner as Sharks held onto a 3-2 lead in the third period, riding Martin Jones’ 28 saves, including 11 in the final frame. Logan Couture had a goal and an assist in the win. Evander Kane had seven shots on goal and came close to rekindling the success he found in Game 1. John Gibson, despite the loss, made 32 saves and was vital in keeping the game close as the Sharks pressed in the third.
[NBC’s Stanley Cup Playoff Hub]
Three Stars
1. David Pastrnak, Bruins: I mean, the guy had a hat trick and a six-point night. In the playoffs. You don’t see that too often. Pastrnak was dominant against the Maple Leafs, who don’t appear to have the slightest of chances in this series based on the first two games. Pastrnak is very much responsible for that with his nine points in that span. His line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand is simply unstoppable with its 20 points. Good luck back at home, Toronto. You’re going to need it.
2. Nikita Kucherov, Lightning: Kucherov scored the game-winner and assisted on both of Alex Killorn’s markers for a three-point night to help the Lightning to a 5-3 win and a 2-0 series lead on the Devils.
3. Logan Couture, Sharks: Couture announced his arrival in the Western Conference series against the Ducks with a goal and an assist, which proved important as the apple was on Hertl’s game-winner in the second period. The Sharks now get to head to the Shark Tank home having stolen two wins in SoCal. Advantage San Jose.
Highlights of the Night
Pastrnak’s hat trick for your viewing pleasure:
John Gibson doing this thing:
You have to wonder sometimes if @JohnGibson35 is half machine. #StanleyCup https://t.co/cCPMPCZjHl
— NHL (@NHL) April 15, 2018
Hertl’s game-winner:
Dangles for days for @TomasHertl48. #StanleyCup https://t.co/DBrf3nhiyL
— NHL (@NHL) April 15, 2018
Too quick:
This just in from @KevinFiala22...
— NHL (@NHL) April 14, 2018
On your feet, Nashville! #StanleyCup https://t.co/Yf92zqfm4M
Factoids of the Night
#Bruins David Pastrnak ties record for most points thru the first 2 games in a single postseason.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 15, 2018
As you see on this list, the #Leafs have been a frequent victim for many players. pic.twitter.com/sFp6NcETga
David Pastrnak (21 years, 324 days) of the @NHLBruins is the youngest player in NHL history to record 6+ points in a playoff game, eclipsing the mark set by Wayne Gretzky (22 years, 81 days) in Game 3 of the 1983 Division Finals (4-3—7 at CGY). #NHLStats #TORvsBOS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/rLWrPCm61H
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 15, 2018
The top two picks in the #NHLDraft scored in the same playoff year for the 4th time in NHL history:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 14, 2018
2018: @nolan_patrick19, @nicohischier
1988: Pierre Turgeon, Brendan Shanahan
1983: Gord Kluzak, Brian Bellows
1982: Dale Hawerchuk, Doug Smith#StanleyCup#NHLStats pic.twitter.com/2PxAK4rPUT
Sunday’s schedule
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers, 3 p.m. ET (NBC)
Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m. ET (USA)
Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals,. 7:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, NBCSWA)
Vegas Golden Knights at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck