By Canadian Press

Five things to know about the NHL playoffs

Apr 20, 2023 | 2:09 AM

The Edmonton Oilers bounced back in a big way last night, something the Toronto Maple Leafs will try to replicate.

Here are five things to know as we head into tonight’s post-season action:

BUNTING’S OUT, BUT TAMPA’S HURTING

If the Maple Leafs are hoping to get under the Tampa Bay Lightning’s skin in Game 2 tonight, they’ll have to do so without usual agitator Michael Bunting.

The NHL handed the Maple Leafs forward a three-game suspension for his hit to the head on Lightning defenceman Erik Cernak in Game 1, which Tampa Bay won 7-3 — meaning there’s a chance Bunting won’t appear in another game these playoffs should Toronto get swept.

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The Maple Leafs may be without Bunting, but the Lightning might’ve been hit harder after Game 1. Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper said Cernak and forward Michael Eyssimont are out tonight, while top defenceman Victor Hedman is a game-time decision.

CAN JETS STAY PERFECT?

The Winnipeg Jets are looking to remain the only unbeaten Canadian team these playoffs despite being the lowest seed of the three.

Eighth-seed Winnipeg put on an impressive display against top-seed Vegas in Game 1, and will try to carry that momentum into tonight’s Game 2. Forward Morgan Barron is expected to play after receiving over 75 stitches on Tuesday, but the status of forward Nikolaj Ehlers is still up in the air.

Ehlers, who has been out with an upper-body injury, insisted he was ready to play before Game 1, but head coach Rick Bowness kept him out of the lineup for medical reasons. Bowness said yesterday, more than once, that the shifty forward remains day-to-day.

NEAR DÉJÀ VU IN EDMONTON

The Edmonton Oilers thoroughly outplayed the Los Angeles Kings and led 2-0 after the first period in Game 2, just like Game 1.

The Oilers gave up that two-goal lead in Game 2, just like Game 1.

But unlike Game 1, Edmonton rallied to re-take the lead and win Game 2, evening the series at one game apiece.

Klim Kostin scored the game-winner early in the third period after Edmonton gave up its two-goal lead in the second. It was Kostin’s first career NHL playoff goal.

Leon Draisaitl had three points, and Connor McDavid found the scoresheet after he was held scoreless on Monday. Game 3 is Friday in Los Angeles.

HITS KEEP COMING FOR ‘CANES FORWARDS

Another top-end forward is on the injury list in Carolina.

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour announced after last night’s win over the New York Islanders that Teuvo Teravainen suffered a broken hand after a slash and will need surgery.

It’s the latest in a run of bad injury luck for Carolina. Earlier this season, forward Max Pacioretty returned from an Achilles injury only to suffer the same injury two weeks later. Forward Andrei Svechnikov underwent season-ending knee surgery in March

The Hurricanes, up 2-0 in their first-round series, will have to move on in the playoffs without three of their five highest-paid forwards.

WILD GOALIE GAMBLE

Filip Gustavsson made a franchise-record 51 saves to help the Minnesota Wild take a 1-0 series lead over the Dallas Stars — then head coach Dean Evason threw a curveball and played veteran Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 2.

Evason might take that decision back, even if Gustavsson needed a break after his overtime heroics in Game 1.

A well-rested Fleury allowed seven goals on 31 shots as Minnesota fell to Dallas 7-3 and gave up its edge in the series.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023.

The Canadian Press