New York. She tied in the Western Heavyweight Duels in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Dallas Stars beat the Minnesota Wild 7-3 last night — meanwhile Edmonton beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2.
– But we drew after two away matches, said King’s top scorer Adrian Kempe.
After all, there were away victories when the top teams in the NHL’s Western Half began their playoff battles on Monday, and both Minnesota and the Kings had a golden opportunity to dominate the series in question last night.
But nothing came of it.
On some occasions, the Wild had held Dallas even in the second meeting, after goals from both Oskar Sundqvist and Marcus Johansson (plus two assists by Gustav Nyquist), but Dallas were hotter and eventually made a move that ended with a 7-3 victory – and a hat-trick. Signed by Finnish superstar Rob Hintz. In addition, compatriot Miro Heiskanen has provided no fewer than four assists.
– They played well and we didn’t, said Wild coach Dean Evason.
Which raises the question of why Swedish goalkeeper Philip Gustafsson, who shot 51 on Monday, was replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury — who allowed seven of his 31 shots this time around.
– That’s how we do it. We switch. It was reported that this was in no way Fleury’s fault.
In Edmonton, the Kings came back from trailing 0-2 after the first period, but unlike the first game, the Oilers responded.
Clem Kosten gave the home team a new lead early in the third period and eventually Evander Kane made it 4-2 into an empty net.
– But we accept we’ve ‘split’ and draw after two away games, says play-by-play Adrian Kempe.
– Now we go home and find out what we can do better.
