The Sharks jumped out to a 2-0 series lead versus the Predators, Backes celebrated his birthday in style, Elliott shook off a Spezza blast to the face, and more in four things we learned in the NHL.
Sharks take control of series vs. Predators
You could say Pekka Rinne and the Nashville Predators deserved better in Game 2 versus the San Jose Sharks, but the end result saw the California club take a 2-0 series lead thanks to some late heroics courtesy of Joe Pavelski.
The 2015-16 season has hardly been Rinne’s best, but the six-foot-five Finnish goaltender was sharp when tested Sunday night, making 22 saves on 24 shots in the 3-2 loss. The Predators directed 39 shots on Martin Jones in the Sharks’ net, but Pavelski’s goal late in the third period and Joe Thornton‘s empty-net marker sealed the victory.
Nashville bested San Jose in the shot attempt column, out-firing the Sharks 58-52 in five-on-five situations and 75-61 overall.
Pavelski leads all NHL skaters in playoff goals with six. He’s certainly an early Conn Smythe candidate…emphasis on early.
The series shifts to Nashville for Game 3 Tuesday.
Birthday boy Backes
David Backes celebrated his 32nd birthday Sunday. Normally, it would be a day for receiving gifts, but Backes was in a giving mood.
The veteran of 10 NHL seasons gave his St. Louis Blues a Game 2 victory over the Dallas Stars in overtime to even the second-round best-of-seven series at a game apiece.
The Blues captain, parked in front of the Stars’ net, leaped over a shot from Alexander Steen before turning around and burying the rebound on Antti Niemi. It was Backes’ second OT winner of this post-season.
Elliott shakes off some battle damage
Brian Elliott made 31 saves in the Blues’ OT win over the Stars, but one shot absorbed stood out above all others in terms of the damage it inflicted.
Jason Spezza delivered a blast to Elliott’s face, which appeared to stun the goaltender as he fell backwards before removing his mask.
The veteran netminder shook it off, replaced his contact lens, switched masks briefly, and went back to work.
A rough night, but not as rough as Dallas starting goaltender Kari Lehtonen‘s. Lehtonen surrendered three goals on five shots before giving way to Niemi for the remainder of the game.
Orpik’s antics prove costly
Brooks Orpik was considered to be a potential series difference maker for the Washington Capitals in some corners of hockey media. A three-game suspension following Game 2 versus the Pittsburgh Penguins is probably not what anyone had in mind.
Orpik was levied a three-game break Sunday night for his late, high hit on Penguins’ Olli Maatta in the first period of Game 2 Saturday.
Orpik was assessed a two-minute minor for interference on the play, while Maatta did not return to the game and his status for Game 3 appears to be in doubt.
NHL director of player safety Patrick Burke called the hit “forceful, unacceptably high, and excessively late,” in the league’s video explanation of the suspension.
