Edmonton snagged a spot in the Stanley Cup last night after defeating top team Colorado at home in NHL ice hockey.
Joel Eriksson Ek also scored three points when his already playoff-ready Minnesota beat Seattle at home and Filip Gustavsson became the match hero in the Ottawa goal.
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Edmonton faced the toughest possible opposition in the NHL’s Western Conference last night – Colorado, which secured the table victory.
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Colorado also took the lead in the first period, but the playoff spot loomed for the home team, who did not let themselves be discouraged. After a hat-trick by Edmonton’s Evander Kane in the second period and three assists by the team’s superstar Connor McDavid, Edmonton took a 6-3 victory and thus became the fifth team in the Western Conference to secure a place in the Stanley Cup.
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Thanks to his three assists, Connor McDavid also went back to the top of the NHL’s scoring list, with 113 points, of which 43 goals.
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The match was played by Colorado’s André Burakovsky, who was noted for two assists.
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Two goals by Eriksson Ek
Minnesota, already ready for the playoffs – currently second in the Western Conference, closely chased by Calgary and St. Louis – won a clear victory over dependent Seattle last night. Joel Eriksson Ek saw with two straight goals that Minnesota caught up with a two-goal deficit and the team then pulled away with another four straight goals, one of which was passed by Eriksson Ek.
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Seattle scored a consolation goal in powerplay in the third period, but had no chance to catch up. Minnesota thus won 6-3.
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Gustavsson match hero
Ottawa’s goalkeeper Filip Gustavsson became the match hero when he saved all penalties in the meeting with Columbus. The 23-year-old already played big during regular match time, saved 33 shots and contributed to Ottawa succeeding in taking the match to extra time with 1-1 after full time.
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In the decisive penalty shootout, Gustavsson was a wall and saved all three penalties he received against him, including one by Gustav Nyquist. In the end, Ottawa’s Tim Stützle was able to set the winning goal.
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However, both Ottawa and Columbus are dependent on the Eastern Conference and will not play the playoffs.
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The teams that are ready for the Stanley Cup playoffs
Eastern Conference:
Florida, Carolina, Toronto, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay, Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington (all eight playoff spots are ready).
Western Conference:
Colorado, Minnesota, Calgary, St. Louis, Edmonton (three places left to fill).
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