NHL roundup: Lightning eliminate Devils with 3-1 win

[April 23, 2018]  Andrei Vasilevskiy made 26 saves as the host Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the New Jersey Devils with a 3-1 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

The Lightning won the series four games to one and await the winner of Boston-Toronto.

Vasilevskiy did not see much action until the third period as the Lightning controlled possession throughout the second due to four straight power plays. He stepped up with saves on Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri and Pavel Zacha during New Jersey's first power play midway through the third.

Mikhail Sergachev scored his first career playoff goal in the first period, Nikita Kucherov netted the game-winner with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining and Ryan Callahan added an empty-net goal. Patrick Maroon scored for the Devils, who stayed in the game by keeping the Lightning scoreless in five power plays.

Maple Leafs 4, Bruins 3

James van Riemsdyk capped a two-goal second period for Toronto, which held on against host Boston in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Van Riemsdyk added an assist. Tyler Bozak, Connor Brown and Andreas Johnsson also scored, and Frederik Andersen made 42 saves for the Maple Leafs, who trail the best-of-seven series 3-2.

David Backes, Sean Kuraly and Noel Acciari each scored goals for the Bruins, but goalie Tuukka Rask allowed four goals on 13 shots before being replaced by backup Anton Khudobin (eight saves). Game 6 is Monday in Toronto.

Capitals 4, Blue Jackets 3 (OT)

Nicklas Backstrom scored his second goal of the game 11:53 into overtime and gave host Washington a victory over Columbus in Game 5 of its Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

The Capitals now have won three straight after dropping the first two in the series. Washington has a 3-2 lead and can close it out in Game 6 on Monday at Columbus.

Backstrom simply deflected a shot from Dmitry Orlov past Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky from between the circles for the game-winner. Backstrom finished with two goals and one assist.

--Field Level Media

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