Islanders dump Panthers out of play-offs, Capitals oust Flyers
The New York Islanders, Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars all sealed their progression into the second round of the NHL play-offs.
The New York Islanders dumped the Florida Panthers out of the NHL Stanley Cup play-offs after a dramatic 2-1 win on Sunday.
Florida looked set to take their first-round series against the Islanders into a seventh and deciding game thanks to Jonathan Huberdeau's first-period goal.
Huberdeau scored his first ever post-season goal with a perfect wrist-shot while falling to the ground with 62 seconds left in the opening period.
But with just 53 seconds remaining in regular time, John Tavares scored to send the game into overtime at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Neither side could be separated after the first half of OT, but Tavares produced some magic in the second with a brilliant wrap-around goal to seal the Eastern Conference series 4-2.
The Islanders will now face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round after they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in five games.
Presidents' Trophy winners the Washington Capitals ousted the Philadelphia Flyers after clinching a 4-2 series win of their own.
After taking a 3-0 series lead, the Flyers won the next two games to ensure it went into a sixth, but the Capitals managed to secure a 1-0 win to secure their progress into the second round in the east, where they will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Dallas Stars survived a late fight-back from the Minnesota Wild as they won through to the next round with a 5-4 victory.
John Kilngberg, Jason Spezza, Patrick Sharp, Jam Benn and Alex Goligoski were all on target as the Stars claimed the Western Conference matchup 4-2.
The Stars will face either the St Louis Blues or the Chicago Blackhawks next.