NHL playoffs: Panthers advance to second round, Rangers, Stars force Game 7

Evgeni Malkin had the puck on his racquet, just enough open ice in front of him to ward off a couple of oncoming Rangers and break in on New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Instead of attempting anything fancy, he fired off one of those shots that so few players can – he placed the puck with pace over Shesterkin’s block and under his glove – and the goal that followed, Malkin’s third of that opening series, gave the Penguins momentum again after spending much of the second half squandering it and taking another two-goal lead.

When Malkin celebrated and a sold-out crowd at the PPG Paints Arena serenaded him with “Geno” chants, not many people from Pittsburgh to New York would have liked the Rangers’ chances of winning Game 6.

Mika Zibanejad was asked about fun on Friday afternoon – you know, the Rangers’ kid line is having fun this postseason; What about a more seasoned veteran like Zibanejad?

“It might be hard for me to enjoy it that much,” said Zibanejad after a decently long pause. He’s tried to convince reporters in Pittsburgh that the playoffs are fun, but maybe he and his linemates got less of it in five games because they were so focused (and failed) on stopping Sidney Crosby’s line that the Stress was overtaking the fun.

“We may not have caused enough offence. Maybe a little too worried about the line we’re playing against,” he said. “Maybe the focus was too much on that. Trying to work through that is not easy.”

Game 6 was the slump for Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, who had scored two goals together – both from Kreider in the first two games of the series – and got into Friday’s final win-or-go home game. Zibanejad scored the first two and Kreider scored the next two, including the Oopsy Daisy winner with 88 seconds remaining typically from about 50 feet.

The Dallas Stars defeat the Calgary Flames 4-2 to force Game 7 on Sunday.

Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom makes an excellent save and holds it to a one-goal game.

Possible suspension clock. No penalty was imposed on the ice, but Glendening is on concussion record.

Carter Verhaeghe scores the overtime winner to propel the Florida Panthers into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

They defeat the Washington Capitals in six games.

TJ Oshie ties the game for the Washington Capitals.

After the challenge, it’s a good goal.

The New York Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 in Game 6.

The series is 3-3, with Game 7 on Sunday.

Rangers’ Chris Kreider fires a shot from the top that bounces over Penguins goalie Louis Domingue into the net.

New York leads 4-3 over Pittsburgh.

Evgeni Malkin ties the game at three for the Penguins.

Panther defenders Aaron Ekblad and Ben Chiarot return for the second half.

Panther defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Ben Chiarot weren’t on the Florida bench to end the first third.

Panthers except for four defenders.

No result after the first period between the Panthers and the Capitals.

Two goals in 76 seconds by Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad.

The Rangers tied this game 2-2 against the Penguins.

Brian Boyle has not returned for the second period.

Aaron Ekblad is back on the ice.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad walked down the tunnel after suffering a big hit from Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin.

Things are getting serious in Pittsburgh. Two goals in two minutes for the Penguins.

The Penguins’ Jeff Carter opened Pittsburgh against the New York Rangers.

The Pens are now 2-0 up.