NCAA Players Prominent in Start to NHL Playoffs

Former NCAA players made their mark during the first two days of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Wednesday, Tanner Glass (Dartmouth) backhanded home the game-winning goal for the New York Rangers in a 2-0 victory at Montreal, while rookie Frank Vatrano (UMass Lowell) tied the game for the Boston Bruins in an eventual 2-1 overtime win at Ottawa. Bryan Rust (Notre Dame), Phil Kessel (Minnesota) and Nick Bonino (Boston University) accounted for the Pittsburgh Penguins' goals in a 3-1 win over Columbus.

In Minnesota, Zach Parise (North Dakota) tied the game late for the host Wild, but Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College) set up the game-winner in OT to lift the St. Louis Blues to a 2-1 triumph. In Edmonton, Paul Martin (Minnesota) scored the tying goal and Joe Pavelski (Wisconsin) assisted on the overtime winner as the San Jose Sharks came back for a 3-2 win over the Oilers, who got 41 saves from Cam Talbot (Alabama-Huntsville).

On Thursday, James van Riemdsyk (New Hampshire) set up the first goal of the postseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the host Washington Capitals escaped with a 3-2 overtime victory, with T. J. Oshie (North Dakota) and Kevin Shattenkirk (Boston University) drawing assists on the evening. In Anaheim, Kevin Bieksa (Bowling Green) set up the tying goal and Patrick Eaves (Boston College) assisted on the winner as the Ducks edged the Calgary Flames, 3-2, despite 38 saves by Brian Elliott (Wisconsin).

Sharks Tie Series in St, Louis

Tommy Wingels (Miami) wristed home a shot from the slot just over two minutes into Game Two of the Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday night in Missouri. That goal was all the San Jose Sharks needed en route to a 4-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues that tied the best-of-seven NHL Stanley Cup Playoff series at one game apiece.

Joe Pavelski (Wisconsin) picked up an assist as the Sharks connected on two of five power plays at Scottrade Center. The Blues, who got 20 saves from Pavelski's former NCAA teammate, Brian Elliott (Wisconsin), were blanked in six man-advantage attempts despite outshooting San Jose, 26-24, overall. Game 3 is Thursday night in California (9 p.m. ET, NBCSN).

Blues Take Two-to-One NHL Series Lead

Colton Parayko (Alaska Fairbanks) tied the game at a goal apiece in the first period, and Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College) notched the game winner on a power play with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation as the St. Louis Blues edged the host Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2, at the United Center on Sunday afternoon in Game Three of their NHL Western Conference quarterfinal series.

Brian Elliott (Wisconsin) finished with 44 saves for St. Louis, while Kevin Shattenkirk (Boston University) and David Backes (Minnesota State) had one assist apiece. The Blues, who won Game One, 1-0, in overtime at home last week before dropping a 3-2 decision in Game Two to the defending NHL champion Blackhawks, now lead the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoff series, two games to one. Game Four is Tuesday night in Chicago.