Here are some takeaways from Day 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
Blues lose two defensemen
The St. Louis Blues had no update on injuries to defensemen Robert Bortuzzo and Justin Faulk after their 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of the best-of-7 Stanley Cup First Round. Bortuzzo did not return after being hit by center Tyson Jost near the bench 9:05 into the second period, and Faulk left the game after receiving an illegal hit to the head in the high slot from Nazem Kadri at 6:30 of the third. Jost was not penalized but Kadri was given a match penalty and has been offered an in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety at a date and time to be determined. If either defenseman isn't available for Game 3 on Friday, the Blues will have some tough decisions to make down 2-0 in the series. Vince Dunn, who missed the final 11 regular-season games and the first two playoff games with an upper-body injury, could be ready to return to the lineup. Jake Walman has been in NHL COVID-19 protocol since May 11, and Steven Santini also could play. To St. Louis' credit, it was down to four defensemen after the injury to Faulk and rallied to pull within 4-3 at 15:40 of the third before Colorado scored two empty-net goals. -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
Hellebuyck on his game
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck was strong for the Winnipeg Jets with 32 saves in a 4-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the best-of-7 first round. The Oilers couldn't have been surprised by that. Even though Hellebuyck had a losing record against Edmonton during the regular season (2-5-0, 3.96 goals-against average, .877 save percentage), the Oilers have seen the better version of Hellebuyck before. The Vezina Trophy winner last season, voted as the top goalie in the NHL, was 7-1-1 with a 2.43 GAA, a .919 save percentage and two shutouts against Edmonton in the previous three seasons. Hellebuyck's strong game had plenty to do with the fact the Jets didn't ask him to make near-impossible saves. Winnipeg limited odd-man rushes and stuck to a tight style that didn't leave a lot of open ice for speed attacks or many outnumbered situations. Given those parameters, Hellebuyck repeatedly has proven he can handle that kind of work and he returned to that form against the Oilers on Wednesday. -- Tim Campbell, staff writer
Special teams the difference for Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes probably would rather avoid putting the Nashville Predators on the power play seven times in one game, but their penalty kill was 7-for-7 and a big reason for their 3-0 victory in Game 2 of the first round. Part of that was Nashville struggling on its power play, but Carolina's kill was relentless, and it created shorthanded opportunities, including an excellent chance for center Sebastian Aho late in the second period. The Hurricanes, who lead the best-of-7 series 2-0, also scored one power-play goal when Aho, off a great pass from forward Andrei Svechnikov, beat Predators goalie Juuse Saros for a 1-0 lead 8:03 into the first period. The Hurricanes' kill and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (32 saves) did the rest. -- Tracey Myers, staff writer
Krejci finally has what he needs
It's been a long search for linemates for Boston Bruins center David Krejci. This season it was supposed to be Jake DeBrusk and Ondrej Kase, but that didn't work out. It's safe to say that things finally are clicking, with Taylor Hall, Krejci and Craig Smith looking like an enviable line and extra insurance when the top line isn't connecting. Hall scored the Bruins' first goal of Game 3 against the Washington Capitals, and Smith the game-winner at 5:48 of double-overtime to give Boston a 2-1 series lead. -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
