2023-05-02 10:27:24
Main round dominator Boston fails in the first round at Florida, and debutant Seattle throws out the defending champion. The NHL on Monday morning.
Contrasts in Boston: The Bruins comfort each other, the Panthers celebrate their coup.
Getty Images/imago images
The biggest surprise of the first play-off round in 2023 is perfect: The Boston Bruins, who had set new NHL records in the regular season with most wins (65) and points (135), are on Monday night ( MESZ) failed due to the Florida Panthers, who had only qualified for the duel via the last wild card place in the Eastern Conference.
In the crucial seventh game, the Bruins lost 4-3 in overtime at their home TD Garden, despite leading 2-3 with a minute remaining. But then Brandon Montour equalized with his second goal of the evening to make it 3:3, before Carter Verhaeghe finally shocked the hosts after a long 8:35 overtime minutes.
Even three points from David Krejci (one goal, two assists) were not enough for the Bruins to turn the series around again. Boston had already led 3-1 after three meetings, but then gave away two match points – first at home (3:4 aet), then away (5:7).
“The words that come to mind now are disappointment and confusion,” said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery. “And the next thing I would say, looking back at the season, it’s been an honor to coach this team. I know we haven’t gotten where we wanted to be, I realize that.”
The Panthers, who now face the Toronto Maple Leafs, finished the preliminary round a whopping 43 points worse. According to the official NHL website, only the Los Angeles Kings made up for a larger gap against the Edmonton Oilers in 1982 – with 48 points.
Bjorkstrand scores, Grubauer towers: Kraken win first play-off series
The second playoff match of the evening was also historic: The Seattle Kraken won the final duel against the Colorado Avalanche and are thus the first franchise in NHL history to win the defending champion in their first playoff series eliminated.
After leaving the first match point in the sixth game at home (1: 4), the Kraken, who were only admitted to the NHL in 2021/22, won 2: 1 in Denver. Denmark’s Oliver Bjorkstrand scored both goals, while Philipp Grubauer dominated with 33 saves: “I’m exhausted,” said the national goalkeeper later. “What a game.” The Dallas Stars, who moved on with a 4-2 win against the Minnesota Wild, are now waiting in the quarterfinals.
For Colorado, who finished first in the Central Division, Mikko Rantanen’s seventh goal of the playoffs – tied for first place with Leon Draisaitl – wasn’t enough. There will be another Stanley Cup winner in 2022/23.
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