Hockey forward Ondřej Palát opened the scoring in the fifth game between New Jersey and the NY Rangers with his second goal in the ongoing NHL playoffs. The Devils won 4-0 to turn the series 3-2.
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Editing of the fifth game New Jersey – Rangers including Ondřej Palát’s goal | Video: Associated Press
Palát made his mark already in the 39th second, when he best found his way around the ball in the offensive zone and with the help of running defender Adam Fox sent New Jersey into an early lead.
The Devils increased their lead in the second half, when Erik Haula first made his mark and made it 3-0 in the 34th minute with a goal on a breakaway by Dawson Mercer.
He sealed New Jersey’s third straight win with Haula’s second goal of the game five minutes before the end of regulation. Goalkeeper Akira Schmid picked up the first clean sheet in the playoffs.
The 22-year-old Swiss man replaced Vítek Vaněček in goal after two losses in the opening two games, and Rangers are struggling with great performances so far.
In three duels, he conceded only two goals, and with a success rate of 97.6 percent, he rules the goalkeeper statistics.
After three hesitations, Tampa Bay succeeded, winning 4:2 in Toronto and reducing the game to 2:3.
Anthony Cirelli and Michael Eyssimont scored two points for a goal and an assist in the important win. The latter won in the elimination fights for the first time in his career.
The Vegas hockey players beat Winnipeg 4:1 in the fifth match, won the series in the shortest possible time, and became the first team to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Chandler Stephenson led the way with two hits. Captain Mark Stone contributed to the victory with a goal and two assists.
1. kolo play off NHL:
Eastern Conference – 5th Matches:
New Jersey – NY Rangers 4:0 (1:0, 2:0, 1:0)
Goals: 24. and 55. Haula, 1. Palat, 34. Mercer. Shots on goal: 42:23. Spectators: 17,114. Stars of the match: 1. Schmid, 2. Haula, 3. Mercer (all New Jersey). Series status 3:2.
Toronto – Tampa Bay 2:4 (1:1, 0:1, 1:2)
Goals: 6. Rielly, 57. Matthews – 7. Cirelli, 25. Eyssimont, 52. Paul, 60. Killorn. Shots on goal: 31:38. Spectators: 19,663. Stars of the match: 1. Eyssimont, 2. Vasilevsky (both Tampa), 3. Rielly (Toronto). Series status 3:2.
Western Conference – Game 5:
Vegas – Winnipeg 4:1 (1:0, 3:0, 0:1)
Goals: 1st and 29th Stephenson, 21st Stone, 25th W. Karlsson – 55th Connor. Shots on goal: 25:31. Spectators: 18,476. Stars of the match: 1. Stephenson, 2. Stone, 3. W. Karlsson (all Vegas). The final state of the series 4:1.
