The NHL playoffs are in high gear, as four Game 3s were played Monday night.

Nazem Kadri's impending suspension for his Game 2 antics kept him out of the lineup for Toronto, but Auston Matthews' arrival to the series mitigated his disappearance against Boston. The Leafs' stars ultimately showed up, and it was the difference.

The Capitals barely edged out the Hurricanes in Game 2, needing overtime to come out on top. They could have taken a commanding lead in the series, but the Hurricanes utterly dominated them behind Warren Foegele, who notched the first two goals in a 5-0 beatdown at home.

The Stars and the Predators came into the night locked at one game apiece, and they battled in another contest. Ultimately, it was Nashville that was able to squeak out a victory to take a series lead heading into Game 4

Finally, the Avalanche built on their Game 2 overtime win with a straight-up dominant performance in Game 3, beating the Flames 6-2 in a stunningly lopsided tilt.

Games on NBC, NBCSN and USA can be streamed via fuboTV (Try for free).  

All times eastern

NHL playoff schedule for April 15, 2019

  • Game 3: FINAL -- Maple Leafs 3, Bruins 2 (TOR leads, 2-1) -- [Box score]  
  • Game 3: FINAL -- Hurricanes 5, Capitals 0 (WSH leads 2-1) -- [Box Score]
  • Game 3: FINAL -- Predators 3, Stars 2 (NSH leads 2-1) -- [Box Score]
  • Game 3: FINAL -- Avalanche 6, Flames 2 (COL leads 2-1) -- [Box Score]

Avalanche extinguish Flames

The Colorado Avalanche absolutely took it to the Flames on Tuesday night, putting Mike Smith under siege and unloading 51 shots on the poor guy. The veteran netminder did his best to limit the damage but the Avs were able to put up a half-dozen spot, beating Calgary 6-2. 

The Flames showed signs of frustration late, as Matthew Tkachuk delivered a big hit that sparked an altercation with Gabriel Landeskog. Tkachuk ended up with a misconduct and his dad was not thrilled.

Rinne saves the day

As the Predators were hanging onto a one-goal lead in the final minutes of the third period, Pekka Rinne came up massive to help his team preserve the win. Rinne had a gigantic denial of Jamie Benn on the doorstep to keep a potential Stars equalizer off the board. The Preds hung on to win 3-2.

Forsberg, Zuccarello trade beauties

Filip Forsberg picked up his first goal of the postseason on Monday and it was a rather pretty one. The Predators winger gave Nashville a 2-0 lead with this nifty move on the rush.

Dallas was able to answer and cut the lead in half when Mats Zuccarello countered with a nice goal of his own on the rush. Zuccarello hauled in a stretch pass from Tyler Seguin before fighting off a defender and beating Pekka Rinne five-hole.


Avs pour it on Flames early

Fresh off an OT victory in Game 2, the Avalanche are HOT. Nathan MacKinnon netted the game-winner on Saturday night and he picked up right where he left off, scoring the first two goals of Game 3. It's safe to say the Avs' star is feeling it now.

MacKinnon also helped set up the third goal, which came from none other than Cale Makar. The 20-year-old defenseman is playing in his first career NHL game after signing with Colorado just a day ago. He won the Hobey Baker as the best player in college hockey this season, and a tremendous first 20 minutes seems to indicate he's ready for the pros. 

Hurricanes rout Capitals to make it a series at 2-1

The Hurricanes were in a must-win game at home, and they capitalized behind the stick of Warren Foegele. Foegele finished the game with three points, including two goals, and the Hurricanes outshot the Capitals by a ridiculous 45-18 margin. The Capitals' offense looked sluggish, and 12 penalty minutes that resulted in two goals for the Hurricanes didn't help matters.

In the third period, the Hurricanes entered up 3-0, and they got two insurance goals. The first came from Hamilton (his second of the game) as the Capitals scrambled on the power play.

The last goal of the game came from Brock McGinn, capping off a dominant performance for the 'Canes offense in a statement win.

It's Petr Mrazek's fourth career playoff shutout and fifth career playoff win, not to mention the least hard he's had to work for either. However, it's a big boost for the young netminder heading into what will be another must-win game in Game 4.

While this one came easy for the Hurricanes, the Capitals will come into Game 4 with a chip on their shoulder. The team looked shaken throughout on Monday, so the onus is now on Todd Reirden to help his squad regroup after a poor performance.

Toronto holds off Boston for 2-1 series lead

The Bruins made a late push against the Leafs in the third period, but the Leafs were able to hold off Boston to take a 2-1 series lead. Toronto's stars came to play on Monday night, with John Tavares and Mitch Marner's line doing a great job of shutting down Boston's top line. Marner had a gutsy sequence in the final seconds, blocking multiple shot attempts by putting his body on the line. 

Hurricanes in control after two behind Dougie Hamilton goal

The Hurricanes opened a 3-0 lead up over the Capitals. While Warren Foegele scored the 'Canes' first two goals, Dougie Hamilton also got in on the action with Dougie Hamilton's first goal and third point of the postseason. The Hurricanes took  a 3-0 lead into the second intermission, as they try to cut the Capitals' 2-0 lead in the series in half.

Auston Matthews gets on the board, Leafs lead after two

Welcome to the series, Auston Matthews! The star Leafs forward got his first goal of the playoffs during the second period of Monday's game in Toronto, burying a power play opportunity that put the Leafs up 2-1 over Boston. 

The Bruins' penalty killing unit has looked shaky, and Andreas Johnsonn quickly followed up with another power play goal for Toronto. Johnsson displayed some sweet hands with a nifty backhander to the top corner. That goal increased Toronto's lead to 3-1.

But Boston was able to get one back when Charlie Coyle got in the goal column for the second straight game. Coyle, who came over from Minnesota at the trade deadline, buried a rebound opportunity on the power play to cut the lead to 3-2. He might be Boston's best forward so far this series. 

Hurricanes go up 2-0 off of Foegele's second goal

Warren Foegele struck again in the second period of Hurricanes vs. Capitals, notching his second goal in an odd-man rush against Braden Holtby. Foegele had a wide open net in front of him and he didn't miss to double the Hurricanes' lead over the Capitals. Playing at home has made all the difference for the Hurricanes, who have maintained pressure against the Capitals all game long. The Capitals overloaded on the rush and seemed to forget about Sebastian Aho, who found Foegele in front of the net for the padding goal.

Capitals trail Hurricanes heading into intermission

It was a bizarre first period for the Capitals, who are trailing for the first time in the series. After giving up a goal at 9:43, Alex Ovechkin got into a fight with Andrei Svechnikov. Ovechkin immediately dropped Svechnikov to the ice and he hit his head, casting questions on his availability in this game. If he can't return, it would be a big blow for the 'Canes, as Svechnikov is one of the few goal-scorers the Hurricanes have had in this series.

Bruins and Maple Leafs knotted at 1-1

In a 1-1 series, the Bruins and Maple Leafs are trading blows. After the Maple Leafs scored at 2:38, the Bruins immediately answered to make it 1-1 at 3:30. For the Leafs, it was Trevor Moore who struck first, and the Bruins answer came from David Krejci. Jake DeBrusk picked up an assist on the goal, as he continues to cause problems for the Leafs in this series.

Hurricanes surge first in Carolina

The Hurricanes' playoff homecoming got off to a good start. About halfway through the first period after a long forecheck, the Hurricanes finally capitalized off the stick of Warren Foegele to take a 1-0 lead. The Hurricanes are playing high-stakes hockey, as they try to avoid going down 3-0 in the series at home, but the home crowd has been enthusiastic in the early going.