Here are some takeaways from Day 22 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
Canadiens penalty kill continues to dominate
The Montreal Canadiens are 7-3 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and their penalty kill, which is No. 1 in the NHL (90.0 percent), continues to be a reason why. Its ability to help determine the outcome of games at each end of the ice once again was on display in Montreal's 5-1 victory against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Second Round. Forward Joel Armia led the way, scoring two shorthanded goals to help the Canadiens take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-7 series. Armia is part of a penalty killing crew that has scored more goals (four) than its allowed (three) during shorthanded situations through 10 games of the playoffs. The success of the Canadiens penalty kill has been a common theme in this series and its effort Sunday may have been its best of the playoffs. -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
Jets seek another abrupt change
The Winnipeg Jets may be shocked at how quickly their fortunes have changed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, the Jets are down 3-0 against the Montreal Canadiens and on the verge of being swept themselves in the second round. Game 4 is Monday, a second straight best-of-7 series with a back-to-back. The Jets will be examining all the areas that could help them turn the tide. Coach Paul Maurice hinted at a few after the 5-1 loss in Game 3, that the small-area stick fights for loose pucks weren't producing enough wins for his team, more speed and quickness is needed and that the 1-on-1 battles weren't adding enough momentum. The little things are the ones that can swing the outcome of most playoff games. A big thing or two, like scoring more than the one goal they had in Game 3 or a stolen game by goalie Connor Hellebuyck wouldn't hurt either, but it's more likely to be the details that could keep Winnipeg alive and battling in the series. -- Tim Campbell, staff writer
Vegas has true home-ice advantage
The Vegas Golden Knights drew a sellout crowd of 18,081 at T-Mobile Arena for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Second Round on Sunday, and it wasn't just a welcome sight as life inches back to normal amid the coronavirus pandemic. It directly affected the game and gave Vegas an advantage. When forward Reilly Smith hit the crossbar in the first period, the crowd reaction made Colorado goalie Philipp Grubauer think the puck was in. Before he realized what happened, Jonathan Marchessault had put the puck in for real to tie the game 1-1. Throughout Vegas' 5-1 win, the noise was a factor. Colorado coach Jared Bednar said that he was losing his voice calling out lines on the bench and that being unable to hear hurt communication and the Avalanche's ability to play fast. -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Nemeth turnover leads to Colorado lineup question
Defenseman Patrik Nemeth wasn't the only member of the Colorado Avalanche to blame in their 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 on Sunday, but he took a holding penalty and then committed a terrible turnover that led to the tying goal in the first period. Instead of taking the puck behind the Colorado net or sending it the other way, he sent it back out front and right onto the stick of an opponent. "We found a way to get on the board first, but that turnover hurt," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "It's not the only one we made; it's the one they capitalized on." The question now is whether the Avalanche should put Bowen Byram in the lineup. The 19-year-old defenseman has only 19 games of NHL experience, all in the regular season, but he was the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and might have the puck-moving ability to counter Vegas' pressure. -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
