The Boston Bruins became the first team to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston hammered Carolina, 4-0, to finish one of the most lopsided series we have seen in conference finals history. Three of the four games were decided by three or more goals, and the Bruins outscored the Hurricanes, 17-5, over the course of the series.
Tuukka Rask's career in the conference finals:
8-0
.972 save percentage
0.815 GAA
3 shutouts— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) May 17, 2019
Tuukka Rask was incredible throughout the series, and he only got better as the series went on. Rask is now second all-time in playoff save percentage among goaltenders with 50 or more postseason starts.
What an moment. He missed Game 4, but Zdeno Chara comes out in full uniform to celebrate the Eastern Conference championship with the @NHLBruins. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/5J6aVEnkEk
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 17, 2019
Zdeno Chara was unable to play in Game 4, but the 42-year-old defenseman is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Chara and the rest of the Bruins are going to have at least a week off as San Jose and St. Louis finish up their series.
Evgeni Malkin won’t be traded. What Penguins could be? And what’s the power play fix? Offseason questions are plentiful in Pittsburgh. #Pens | @TheAthleticPGH https://t.co/eAQeZFTPSq
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) May 14, 2019
It’s going to be a busy offseason in the Steel City as the Pittsburgh Penguins look to get under the salary cap. Many are expecting Phil Kessel to leave as a result, but there had been some speculation that Evgeni Malkin could be on the move after a disappointing regular season. The Pens don’t plan on moving Malkin any time in the near future though according to Rob Rossi.
Move on and focus on Game 4. That’s the mentality the Blues are taking for tonight’s game. https://t.co/0jKBVi5Zy3 #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 17, 2019
The St. Louis Blues are looking to move on after an officiating error led to a loss in Game 3. St. Louis is virtually in must-win territory as a loss in Game 4 would put the Blues behind 3-1 with the series heading back to San Jose.
Kaapo Kakko looks like a beautiful, unstoppable monster: https://t.co/H4oC9XPIYd pic.twitter.com/BTvZMzzTcs
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) May 17, 2019
Kaapo Kakko has been in incredible form at the World Championships, and he might just end up as the top pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Everyone had assumed that Jack Hughes was going to be the first overall pick, but Kakko has dominated against good competition in Slovakia and led Finland to another win yesterday.
Top Stories
- Tuukka Rask makes postseason history with numbers in Eastern Conference Final | Yahoo Sports
- Zdeno Chara sat out Game 4 for Bruins | Boston Globe
- From Kris Letang’s future to the power play, the Penguins have a lot of questions to answer this offseason | The Athletic
- Preview: Game 4 vs. San Jose | NHL
- Kaapo Kakko Looks Like A Beautiful, Unstoppable Monster | Deadspin
