2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Game Recaps, Previews, How to Watch, Schedule and Day 21 Open Thread

Every day during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Canes Country recaps the night before, previews the games for that night, and gives you game times and broadcast information.

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Friday’s Recaps

Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

St. Louis Blues 2, Nashville Predators 1 (NSH leads 3-2)

For the first time in the entire series, the St. Louis Blues were able to tally the first goal of the night when Dmitrij Jaskin buried a rebound past Pekka Rinne at the 5:43 mark of the second period. The Blues were backstopped by a terrific performance from Jake Allen in net, who stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced, and only conceded a goal later in the second period during a Predators two-man advantage.

The game-winning marker was provided by Jaden Schwartz as he tipped a shot from the blue line, which was turned away by Rinne, but then gathered the rebound and tucked it home. Both sides exchanged further chances as the 3rd period continued, but ultimately the wonderful performances by Rinne and Allen kept the final score at 2-1.

It seemed as though the Blues may have been letting their opportunity to jump out ahead for the first time in the series slip through their fingers as they could not convert on a 5 on 3 advantage early in the 1st period. Although Rinne and the Preds survived that opportunity, the unrelenting pressure provided by the Blues proved just enough to create the two goals needed to survive and advance to Game 6 on Sunday, in Nashville. With a total of 32 shots, a high for the series, the Blues truly played their most complete game of the series and now set up a very interesting contest in Nashville as the Predators try to keep their unbeaten home record in the Stanley Cup Playoffs intact.

Game 6 is slated for a 3:00 p.m. ET start on Sunday on NBC. -Andy House

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Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Anaheim Ducks 4, Edmonton Oilers 3 (2OT) (ANA leads 3-2)

Through 40 minutes, it looked like the Edmonton Oilers would travel back to Alberta with a firm grasp on the series, but then playoff hockey happened.

The Ducks erased a 3-0 deficit in the final 3:16 of regulation time, scoring a trio of goals, capped off by Rickard Rakell's no-look backhander that made it through a bevy of humanity in front of Cam Talbot with 15 seconds to go. The Oilers challenged for goaltender interference, arguing that Ryan Kesler had prevented Talbot from making the save, but the goal was upheld, incensing the visitors. Decide for yourself:

Then, 6:57 into the second overtime, Corey Perry came through with the winner as he slid a puck past a sprawling Talbot to win it for the Ducks in improbable fashion.

Now, all of a sudden, a 2-0 series lead for Edmonton has evaporated into a 3-2 advantage for the Ducks entering Game 6, which is slated for Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. ET. -Brett Finger

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Saturday’s Previews

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators (Series tied 2-2)

3:00 p.m., NBCSN

1. Pivotal Game 5: This Rangers-Senators series swings back to Ottawa where both teams will be looking to claim an edge after the Rangers came up with two dominant performances on home ice to even the series. The Senators will need to find an extra gear again to jump out in front again.
2. Have the Rangers solved Craig Anderson? Craig Anderson was solid in Game 1 and okay enough to win in Game 2, but he hasn't held the Rangers to under four goals since the first game of the series. That will need to change for Ottawa to emerge victorious today, as so much of their success as a team depends on the ability of their veteran goaltender to get hot.
3. Can the Rangers’ fourth line make the difference again? In Game 4, Oscar Lindberg scored twice, with oft-maligned winger Tanner Glass picking up assists on both goals. Whoever slots in with those two today, whether it's Michael Grabner, Jesper Fast, or J.T. Miller, will have a golden opportunity against weak matchups. With nobody in New York's top six claiming ownership of the team's production, maybe a four line attack is the best way forward. Let's see if Lindberg can rally for the third straight game. -Kyle Morton

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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals (PIT leads 3-1)

7:00 p.m., NBC

1. Will He or Won't He? All eyes and ears are on Sidney Crosby heading into this one, as the superstar center "hasn't ruled out" a game 5 return from a concussion sustained in game 3. The Penguins got the job done without him in Game 4, but his return would do wonders for their confidence on the road. With that said, Crosby's concussion history would suggest that he may wisely err on the side of caution, even if it is the playoffs.
2. Deja Vu? The Capitals have consistently been lambasted for their underachieving nature in the playoffs, and resting on the brink of elimination once again to the Pens is doing them no favors. Nick Bonino drove the dagger through the Caps last year in Pittsburgh, but the Pens have the chance to put away their longtime rivals on their own ice, an opportunity they are surely looking forward to. Can Washington hang on for at least one more game, or will Pittsburgh finish them off in a stunning five games?
3. Stars Shining in D.C.: Following Game 4, Capitals Coach Barry Trotz noted that he "needed more" from his stars in such an important game. His biggest star, Alex Ovechkin, agreed, saying that Game 4 wasn't his best by any means, and he's not alone. Ovi and the Caps had a golden opportunity to take advantage of an already injury-damaged Pens roster now missing their captain, but failed to do so. But even more important than Ovechkin is Braden Holtby, who has put up a sub-.900 save percentage in three of four games in this series. The Capitals need their goaltender to come up big in their biggest game of the season, or they could be booking tee times in early May once again. -Peter Dewar