Mikko Rantanen scored two goals in Colorado’s win over Winnipeg. Colorado and Carolina advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
Mikko Rantanen scored his first two goals of the NHL playoff spring in the Colorado Avalanche’s 6–3 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado advanced to the second round of the playoffs with 4–1 match wins.
In the third period, Rantanen scored Colorado’s 4–3 and 5–3 hits in less than four minutes. In the opening set, Rantanen was starting the visitors’ 1-1 goal, which he finished off Valery Nitshuskin.
Before this match, Rantanen had not scored a playoff goal since last spring. He had a total of six assists in four matches. After five matches, Rantase has 2+7 powers.
Artturi Lehkonen like his Finnish counterpart, was again an important player for Colorado. In the second period, Lehkonen recorded Colorado’s 3–2 hit, which ended up in the net off the stick of the Winnipeg defender.
A fit Lehkonen has already scored five goals in the playoffs, one in each match. He has received three assist points.
A year ago, Colorado’s run ended in the first round of the playoffs. Now it advances to the next stage, where it will face either Dallas or Vegas. The match series between them is at 2–2.
Carolina continues from the fifth match
The Carolina Hurricanes also advanced to the second round of the playoffs. It beat the New York Islanders 6–3 in the fifth game played at home, and cleared its way to the next round with a 4–1 win.
The first shot of the match in 1:23 ended Teuvo Teräväinen from stage to finish. The hit was Teräväinen’s second in the spring playoffs.
Two minutes later, Carolina already led 2–0, but the Islanders still got into the game. After two sets, the match was tied 3–3.
At the beginning of the third period, Carolina jumped out to a 5–3 lead, when Stefan Noesen managed to score just eight seconds by Jack Drury After a 4–3 goal. The final score was 6–3 Seth Jarvis to an empty goal.
In addition to Teräväinen, Finns also played in Carolina’s ranks Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Carolina will face the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs.
In the second match on the East Coast, the Boston Bruins failed to break the streak at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Playing with their backs against the wall, Toronto won 2–1 in overtime and narrowed the series to 2–3.
An even series is also underway between the Vancouver Canucks and the Nashville Predators. Nashville took a 2-1 forced win away from home and narrowed the match wins to 2-3.