By Canadian Press

Five things to know about the NHL playoffs

Apr 26, 2023 | 2:03 AM

OutKast and Usher ruled the music world in 2004. Shrek 2 was the top-grossing movie and Thefacebook, which later became Facebook, was launched.

It was also the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won a playoff series and should they eliminate the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow night at Scotiabank Arena, it might also be the last time 2004 is ever mentioned by the social media congregation at Maple Leaf Square.

Here are five things to know about the NHL playoffs:

OILERS’ OFFENCE DOES AN ABOUT-FACE 

Thanks to Zach Hyman’s face, the Edmonton Oilers didn’t need to play overtime to beat the Los Angeles Kings last night.

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With the Oilers up 4-2 and pressing to pad that lead on a late second-period power play, Evan Bouchard drilled a shot from the point that hit Hyman’s face and deflected into the net to make it 5-2 and pretty much sealed the deal. The Oilers, who finally received some secondary scoring, eventually won 6-3 and grabbed a 3-2 series lead with a shot to clinch on Saturday in L.A.

Kings netminder Joonas Korpisalo was yanked in the middle frame after giving up four goals on 19 shots, and that likely started the dance party at the Everett Gardens retirement home in St. Albert, Alberta, where seniors became social media stars last season for dancing head to toe in Oilers’ gear.

ISLANDERS STAY ALIVE

The New York Islanders avoided the handshake line last night when they built a 3-1 lead and then hung on for a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

The Islanders, who held a two-goal lead in the third, surrendered a goal midway through the third to Sebastian Aho, who had left the game earlier to get five stitches to his mouth after being nailed by a Pierre Engvall shot in front of the net.

The ‘Canes threw everything they had at the visitors in the final eight minutes, but couldn’t score the equalizer. The Hurricanes, who lead the series 3-2, will look to end it on Friday at UBS Arena.

JETS BETTING ON SURVIVAL

The Winnipeg Jets, with centre Morgan Barron and his 75 stitches to the face as the playoff poster boy for playing through adversity, are betting on themselves to find a way to roll the Golden Knights in Sin City on Thursday and stay alive in the first-round series.

The injury-riddled Jets are down 3-1 in the series after being swept at home, but they are saying all the right things about getting back into the series against the Golden Knights.

The Jets are hoping that top scorer Mark Scheifele, injured early in Game 4, might be able to play. They’re also hoping that star netminder Connor Hellebuyck can steal a game or two so they can win a low-scoring game without their sidelined snipers.

SUSPENDED MAKAR TO MISS GAME 5

Defenceman Cale Makar, the MVP of last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs, won’t be in the Colorado Avalanche lineup when they host the Seattle Kraken tonight in Game 5 of their first-round series, which is tied 2-2.

Makar was suspended Tuesday for one game by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for first-period interference against Kraken forward Jared McCann. The Seattle star was stopped on a short-handed breakaway and while skating into the corner to pursue the loose puck, Makar stapled him into the boards with a late hit. McCann is expected to miss Game 5.

Makar was given a minor penalty for interference on the play after the initial major penalty was downgraded after video review. Jordan Eberle scored a power-play goal three minutes into overtime to give the Kraken a 3-2 win.

BERGERON LIKELY TO SUIT UP

All signs are pointing to the return of captain Patrice Bergeron to the Boston Bruins’ lineup tonight as they look to polish off the visiting Florida Panthers at the TD Garden.

The Bruins, who have battled with a flu bug and injuries since ending their record-setting regular season, have been scoring by committee since the post-season started.

Bruins bench boss Jim Montgomery said centre David Krejci (upper-body injury) is progressing but won’t play tonight.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2023.

The Canadian Press