NHL Playoffs 2023: High Storylines for April 30 Schedule
0 of three
Christopher Mast/NHLI through Getty Photos
The primary two of three first-round Sport 7s within the Stanley Cup Playoffs happen on Sunday evening.
The reigning champion Colorado Avalanche will attempt to fend off elimination at house towards the Seattle Kraken.
Seattle goes after the primary playoff collection victory in its two-year NHL existence. The Kraken failed of their opening try to shut out the collection at house in Sport 6.
The Boston Bruins, who have been the NHL’s greatest regular-season crew, failed to complete off the Florida Panthers twice already of their Jap Convention collection.
Florida put 11 objectives previous the Boston protection in Video games 5 and 6 to drive the winner-takes-all contest at TD Backyard during which the entire stress is on the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Bruins.
April 30 NHL Playoff Schedule
1 of three
Joel Auerbach/Getty Photos
Sport 7: Florida at Boston (6:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Sport 7: Seattle at Colorado (9 p.m. ET, TNT)
Colorado Trying to Full Comeback, Seattle Vying for First Playoff Sequence Win
2 of three
Christopher Mast/NHLI through Getty Photos
The second of Sunday’s two Sport 7s presents an enchanting dynamic.
The Avalanche carry an enormous edge in playoff expertise from their Stanley Cup run final season, whereas the Kraken are aiming to win their first-ever playoff collection.
Seattle has some gamers who’ve participated in Stanley Cup runs earlier than, however its complete unit has not gone by the stresses of a postseason matchup earlier than.
Colorado flexed its muscle to remain alive in Sport 6, because it gained 4-1 inside Local weather Pledge Area.
The Avalanche held the Kraken to 1 and two objectives in two of their victories. They gave up 4 of their Sport 3 victory.
Colorado holds the sting in expertise, house ice, momentum and with the higher protection within the collection. The Avs conceded two fewer objectives than the Kraken.
All the things is pointing to Nathan MacKinnon and Co. persevering with their title protection into the second spherical, however Seattle did win Video games 1 and 5 in Denver.
The Kraken will attempt to acquire confidence from these victories, and in the event that they get off to a powerful begin, they will at the least heap hundreds extra stress on the Avs to complete out the collection.
Boston Hoping to Keep away from Collapse from 3-1 Up
3 of three
Joel Auerbach/Getty Photos
Florida outscored Boston 11-8 in Video games 5 and 6 to stage the collection.
Boston nonetheless has the sting of taking part in Sunday’s Sport 7 at house, however it’s worrisome that the Bruins come into the deciding contest in unhealthy type.
Florida has been taking part in determined for the reason that begin of Sport 5, which can take a toll on it throughout some level of Sport 7.
The Panthers put a ton of vitality into the time beyond regulation win in Boston in Sport 5, they usually wanted to battle again on a handful of events earlier than profitable Sport 6 by a 7-5 margin.
Florida proved it may well rating in bunches towards the Bruins, and that’s the solution to beat the Presidents’ Trophy winner.
Regardless of dropping Sport 6, the Bruins obtained an enormous offensive increase within the type of two David Pastrňáok objectives.
Pastrňáok solely had two factors within the collection previous to Sport 6 from a pair of tallies early within the first spherical.
Pastrňáok is certainly one of 5 Bruins gamers to attain 4 or 5 objectives within the collection. Matthew Tkachuk is the one Panthers skater with greater than 4 tallies.
Boston’s scoring depth may very well be important in Sport 7, and if it strikes early, the Panthers may very well be in hassle.