NHL Playoffs 2012: Last Night in the East (April 16)

Published: 17^th Apr 12 5:32 pm

by Stephanie Lewark
Featured Pittsburgh Penguins Columnist

RANT It!

NHL Playoffs 2012: Last Night in the East (April 16)

Eric Bolte - US PRESSWIRE

New York Rangers 1 vs. Ottawa Senators 0 (Rangers Lead Series 2-1)
The New York Rangers‘ (and Game 3′s) one and only goal of the evening was scored by Brian Boyle. Boyle, who has been singled out as “the bad guy” by Ottawa Senators fans since getting physical with prized defenseman Erik Karlsson in Game 1, has become the target of Ottawa’s angst being down in the series.

“Honestly, it was surprising,” Boyle said. “If I’m the villain to them, that’s good.”

It’s good in more ways than one since Boyle is obviously feeding off of it — last night’s goal was his third of the series (one in each game and two of them being game-winning goals).

Although, Boyle isn’t the only star of last night’s matchup (he was literally the third star of last night’s game) — the number one star of Game 3 was given to Rangers’ elite goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, who once again recorded a shutout (fourth playoff and first since 2009).

“Once again, as has been the story all year, No. 30 back there, the guy was unbelievable,” Boyle said. “He was the biggest difference, I think.”

Boston Bruins 4 vs. Washington Capitals 3 (Bruins Lead Series 2-1)
Washington was the first to strike late in the first period on an Alexander Semin power play goal (the only one of the game). Boston answered quickly at 35 seconds into the second period, but it didn’t go unanswered when just 13 seconds later Alex Ovechkin found the back of the net past Tim Thomas.

It was pretty even throughout much of the game and the two teams went into the third being tied at 2. Boston was first to strike this time early in the third to edge ahead until Brooks Laich scored to tie it up once again. It looked as though the game would go into overtime until Zdeno Chara tipped one in past Capitals’ rookie goalie, Braden Holtby, at 18:07 in the third which went unanswered and won the game for Boston.

Tonight
#3 Florida at #6 New Jersey (Series tied at 1) 7:00 PM EST on NHL Network

In the West:
#4 Nashville at #4 Detroit (Series tied at 1) 7:30 PM EST on NBC Sports
#3 Phoenix at #6 Chicago (Series tied at 1) 9:00 PM EST on CNBC