Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning, Bruins, Avalanche Advance To Conference Semifinals; Habs Force Game Six Against Flyers; Canucks Take 3-2 Series Lead Over Blues

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Wednesday with five games..

EASTERN CONFERENCE (All games played at Toronto):

Game #1:

Brayden Point scored the game winner at 5:12 of overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning overcame a two-goal deficit to knock out the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in game five and win their conference quarterfinal series four games to one.

The Blue Jackets remain the only NHL team to never reach a conference final (or semifinal round).

Game #2:

David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron each scored a second-period power-play goal as the Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in game five and won their series four games to one.

Game #3:

Joel Armia scored twice (once shorthanded) as the Montreal Canadiens averted elimination by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3 in game five.

The Flyers, who still lead three games to two, can finish off the Habs with a game-six victory on Friday (4:00 PM Pacific Time, NBCSN).



WESTERN CONFERENCE (All games played at Edmonton):

Game #1:

Nazem Kadri and Nathan MacKinnon each scored twice (with each scoring once on the power play) while Philipp Grubauer saving 23 of 24 shots as the Colorado Avalanche demolished the Arizona Coyotes 7-1 in game five and won their conference quarterfinal series four games to one.

Game #2:

Tyler Motte scored twice (once shorthanded) as the Vancouver Canucks held off the St. Louis Blues 4-3 in game five for a three-games-to-two series lead.

The Canucks can finish off the defending Stanley Cup champions with a game-six victory on Friday (6:45 PM Pacific Time, NBCSN).