BC in the NHL Playoffs: Most Eagles on Thursday’s Losing End

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday night was not a great one for those hoping to see teams with Boston College Eagles on their rosters win NHL playoff games.

The St. Louis Blues defeated Rob Scuderi’s Los Angeles Kings once again on Thursday by a 2-1 score, except Game 2 did not go to overtime. The defending Stanley Cup champs are now in an 0-2 hole as the series swings back to Southern California. Scuderi certainly got his fair share of ice time with 29 shifts and about 22 minutes, playing almost four minutes on the penalty kill and earning a null plus-minus rating for the game.

In Game 1 of their series, captain Brian Gionta led his Montreal Canadiens to defeat at home at the Bell Centre against the Ottawa Senators, 4-2. Gionta was -2 for the evening, putting just two shots on goal and losing his only faceoff in 16 minutes of ice time. His teammates on the Habs took plenty on their own, sending 50 shots Craig Anderson’s way, but since 96% of them did not find the back of the net, Gionta’s team trails the series heading into Game 2.

Chris Kreider’s New York Rangers fell in Game 1 of their series against the Washington Capitals, 3-1, in the District. Kreider himself was -1 for the night and only played for eight minutes and 23 seconds, all of which was on even-strength. Another former Eagle, Brian Boyle, remains out with a right leg injury and was scratched. Those two combined to put on an impressive performance in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals last year against Ottawa, but one game in, Boyle needs to get healthy and Kreider needs to get on the ice.

One Eagle came out a winner on Thursday night: Patrick Eaves and his Detroit Red Wings. Since he won, however, another Eagle lost: one-year player Ben Lovejoy and his Anaheim Ducks.