For the first time since 2011, a Canadian team is in the Stanley Cup Finals! Montreal came up big at home yesterday, defeating Vegas 3-2 in overtime to win their Semi-Final 4 games to 2. The first period ended tied 1-1, but Montreal took the lead 2-1 in the second period. Early in the third period, Vegas tied it up, and despite taking control of the game, Vegas couldn’t score again as the game headed to overtime tied 2-2. Then, Artturi Lehkonen scored 1:39 into overtime to win it for Montreal. All 3 games played in Montreal went to overtime, and Montreal is 5-1 in overtime games in the playoffs, with their only loss coming to Vegas in Game 4 of this series. Montreal will now play the winner of tonight’s game in the Stanley Cup Finals.
In tonight’s game, the New York Islanders visit Tampa Bay to take on the defending Stanley Cup champions in Game 7 of their series. We’ve calculated that, being the home team, Tampa Bay has the advantage, with a 57.0% chance of winning the game and the series.
Yesterday’s Game
Semi-Final – 1 vs. 4
Vegas 2 at Montreal 3 (OT)
- Montreal wins series 4-2
Series schedule:
- June 14: Montreal 1 at Vegas 4
- June 16: Montreal 3 at Vegas 2
- June 18: Vegas 2 at Montreal 3 (OT)
- June 20: Vegas 2 at Montreal 1 (OT)
- June 22: Montreal 4 at Vegas 1
- June 24: Vegas 2 at Montreal 3 (OT)
Today’s Game
Semi-Final – 2 vs. 3
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay
- Series tied 3-3
- Tampa Bay has a 57.0% chance of winning the series
Playoff Matches – Semi-Finals
Semi-Final – 1 vs. 4
Vegas (2nd in West, 82 pts) vs. Montreal (4th in North, 59 pts)
Montreal wins series 4-2
McDonald NHL Power Ratings:
- Vegas: 1600, 1st overall
- Montreal: 1520, 4th overall
Playoffs so far:
- Vegas:
- First round: Defeated Minnesota in 7 games
- Division final: Defeated Colorado in 6 games
- Montreal:
- First round: Defeated Toronto in 7 games
- Division final: Defeated Winnipeg in 4 games
Series schedule:
- June 14: Montreal 1 at Vegas 4
- June 16: Montreal 3 at Vegas 2
- June 18: Vegas 2 at Montreal 3 (OT)
- June 20: Vegas 2 at Montreal 1 (OT)
- June 22: Montreal 4 at Vegas 1
- June 24: Vegas 2 at Montreal 3 (OT)
Semi-Final – 2 vs. 3
Tampa Bay (3rd in Central, 75 pts) vs. New York Islanders (4th in East, 71 pts)
Series tied 3-3
Chances of winning: Tampa Bay 57%, New York Islanders 43%
McDonald NHL Power Ratings:
- Tampa Bay: 1577, 2nd overall
- New York Islanders: 1562, 3rd overall
Playoffs so far:
- Tampa Bay:
- First round: Defeated Florida in 6 games
- Division final: Defeated Carolina in 5 games
- New York Islanders:
- First round: Defeated Pittsburgh in 6 games
- Division final: Defeated Boston in 6 games
Series schedule:
- June 13: New York Islanders 2 at Tampa Bay 1
- June 15: New York Islanders 2 at Tampa Bay 4
- June 17: Tampa Bay 2 at New York Islanders 1
- June 19: Tampa Bay 2 at New York Islanders 3
- June 21: New York Islanders 0 at Tampa Bay 8
- June 23: Tampa Bay 2 at New York Islanders 3 (OT)
- June 25: New York Islanders at Tampa Bay
Simulation results:
- Tampa Bay has a 57.0% chance of winning
- In 4 games: 0.0%
- In 5 games: 0.0%
- In 6 games: 0.0%
- In 7 games: 57.0%
- New York Islanders has a 43.0% chance of winning
- In 7 games: 43.0%
- In 6 games: 0.0%
- In 5 games: 0.0%
- In 4 games: 0.0%
Chances of winning the Stanley Cup
These chances were calculated before the semi-finals started. We will recalculate once the semi-finals have concluded.
1 Vegas Golden Knights 41.7% 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 27.6% 3 New York Islanders 20.6% 4 Montreal Canadiens 10.1%