The three-game sweep of the NHL features three clubs that responded to the pressure of a post season run and won. We start in Toronto, where the Minnesota Wild brushed aside a spirited effort from the Maple Leafs and won, 2-1.
“It starts with goaltending, first and foremost,” coach Mike Yeo said. “With that, special teams have helped us. If you look at tonight, we had a big penalty kill in the second period and that was a key moment in the game. A huge part of it for us has also been our depth. We’ve had big contributions from different guys. Tonight we got two goals from our third line that really helped.”
Devan Dubnyk made 35 saves for the win; it was his 31st straight start in the Wild net.
“I really try to enjoy each game and use it as a chance to sharpen up those things that I have been working on that have helped my game,” Dubnyk said. “When you get to play every other night for months on end, there are lots of opportunities and different experiences that allows you to work on those things.”
Charlie Coyle and Thomas Vanek scored for Minnesota.
The Leafs got a late goal from Jake Gardiner to make things interesting late but in the end they were unable to get over the hump, yet again.
“My body feels good,” Dubnyk said. “That is the main thing. Mentally, with the importance of all the games, it is easy to get up for the games because we need to win them all. It is up to me to pay attention to how my body is feeling and if something is ailing, I let somebody know. The coach has done a great job of giving me practice time off and just letting me play the games.”
In Ottawa, the Senators continued their strong response to pressure by winning 5-2 over the fading San Jose Sharks.
Andrew Hammond improved to 14-0-1 in his NHL start with 29 saves.
“If we took care of home ice and took pivotal points we could control on our fate,” Ottawa forward Bobby Ryan said.
“It’s been 20-or-so games building into this,” he said. “There will be a sense of accomplishment, but at the same time you can’t take it for granted. Get a little rest and get ready because Boston is going to win games. Everybody is.”
The pressure had mounted in this game for the Sens who trailed the match 2-1 after two periods but potted four goals in the decisive third period.
Alex Chiasson got the final stanza going with a goal to give the Sens a 3-2 lead.
“For every player, you’re trying to raise your game in these kind of games,” Chiasson said. “You want to be that guy that helps the team as much as you can.
“It’s been a little harder for me this year, but you get the opportunity to play with some good players and you’ve got to make the best out of it.”
The Sharks could not beat Hammond and now face the prospect of needing to win out.
“We’re not dealing in the fantasy world yet,” Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. “We’re dealing in a world where we look at numbers and we still have an opportunity. I don’t know what’s happening elsewhere. We didn’t take care of our own business. We’ll have to come and play again tomorrow. Wherever it goes, we have to play hard every night.”
In Calgary, the Flames had their own pressure to deal with including holding the third spot in the division and the threat from below from Winnipeg; their response was a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Lance Bouma scored the game-winner in the third to give the Flames a 3-1 lead at the time.
“Huge, obviously,” Bouma said. “Everyone knows the standings. They’re so tight. It’ll be tight right to the end there. We have to take care of our own games and not worry about the other teams. We’ve just got to keep going here. We’ve just got to take care of business and worry about ourselves. If we get some help along the way, it’s nice, but we can’t rely on that, that’s for sure.”
Karri Ramo stopped 25 in win over the Avs – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Karri Ramo made 25 saves for the tight win for the Flames.
Alex Tanguay and Gabriel Landeskog scored for Colorado who played well but could not quite make the pass or defensive play to hold off Calgary.
“We want good habits,” Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said. “We want to make sure that it will prepare us for next year. At the same time it’s a learning process for our team. I think we’ll grow from that experience. We’re going to continue to work the way we want and continue to play the same way. You never know. I will never say ‘never.'”
The Avs needed the points Monday and now are in the same position as the Sharks, needing to win out.
“Obviously, the start of the year really hurt us,” Tanguay said. “Now, we’re probably going to need to win out or something like that in order to get ourselves in the playoffs.”
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