BC in the NHL Playoffs, May 6: Eagles Strike Back

Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Monday night in the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs went slightly better for Boston College players individually, and for their teams as well.

Perhaps the most impactful performance of this group of the night was that from Brian Boyle. The New York Ranger returned to the lineup on Monday, scoring a goal and an assist and being named second star of the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals. Boyle’s goal tied the game in the first period, and then he assisted on a power play goal to give the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead.

Chris Kreider was again scratched from the Rangers’ lineup. Washington now leads the series two games to one.

There are some Eagle faces in the Bruins organization, but none were anywhere near the ice at the Air Canada Centre as playoff hockey returned to Toronto. The Bruins took out the Maple Leafs, 5-2.

A Boston College connection was present on both sides of the ice at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, as the Red Wings tied their series with the Anaheim Ducks after a 3-2 overtime win. One-year Eagle Ben Lovejoy played over 24 minutes in this contest, while the winning side’s Patrick Eaves took four shots on goal and saw 23 shifts.

Finally, the defending Stanley Cup champions of former Eagle Rob Scuderi, the Los Angeles Kings, tied their series with the St. Louis Blues after a 4-3 comeback win. Scuderi had a relatively quiet night on paper, playing 21 minutes in 29 shifts but barely notching any categories on the stat sheet.