Chris Kreider (almost single-handedly) takes down the Hurricanes

Last night, two NHL games were shown.

First, the Rangers tried to end the Hurricanes' comeback hopes, then the Oilers and Canucks played Game 5 of their series.

Here's what caught the eye at Pitman Arena:

Chris Kreider (almost single-handedly) takes down the Hurricanes

The Hurricanes returned in front of their home fans to try to level the series at 3-3, after trailing 0-3 earlier in the same series.

The locals clearly had the knife in their teeth, scoring three of the first four goals of the game to take a 3-1 lead.

The fans there started dreaming of match No. 7.

The knockout is the first in match 6 🚨 #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: @NHL_on_TNT (True TV) & @sportsunmax ➡️ https://t.co/W9mpYG1lMO
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet Or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/iNVlju6FiD

– National Hockey League (@NHL) May 16, 2024

There is nothing 😱

Fans in Raleigh are already sensing a potential Game 7 👀 pic.twitter.com/RXo6ea7uwj

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 17, 2024

Oh my God, Sebastian Aho! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LALgi0Yt7g

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2024

Clearly, all was smiling for the Hurricanes at this stage of the meeting.

Even Jordan Martinuk was there in a stunning sequence to save Rangers from one goal. More and more, the Canes seemed headed toward victory…

Martinok just saved a goal! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/On3zh0IrFq

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2024

But in the third period, Chris Kreider clearly had enough. The Rangers striker scored not one goal, not two goals, but three unanswered goals to give his team the lead.

Kreider is clearly tired of seeing the tornadoes continue.

Christopher James Crider 🤩

He served the natural Hattie in the third period @NYRangers To the Eastern Conference Final! #StanleyCup

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/YZUDraN3N7

– National Hockey League (@NHL) May 17, 2024

Barclay Goodreau completed the score into an empty netThe Rangers won 5-3.

So they won the series in six games, and will face the winner of the Panthers-Bruins series in the East Final.

Canucks overcome controversial penalty, push Oilers to the end

We were treated to Game 5 of the series between the Canucks and Oilers last night in Vancouver.

It is clear that Evander Kane realized the importance of the moment, as from the first minutes of the first half he gave his team the lead.

Great pass from Leon Draisaitl in the goal.

Evander Kane opens the scoring in the fifth match! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/MWv3K4Bf0k

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2024

At the end of the premiere, we got more excitement. Carson Soucy got both teams back to square one…before seeing Matthias Janmark give the Oilers the lead just seconds later.

The score was 2-1 after 20 minutes.

Soucy back in the lineup, back to the board 😳 pic.twitter.com/yh8xRvqqMS

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 17, 2024

The oils return to the top after just seconds 🤯

Matthias Janmark 🚨 pic.twitter.com/neJLJ181ew

– B/R OpenIce (@BR_OpenIce) May 17, 2024

In the second, Phil Di Giuseppe brought the two teams back to square one.

He scored the first goal of his career in the playoffs on the series.

We're tied up again! 🤷‍♂️

Philippe Di Giuseppe sets one for @Canucks! #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT (True TV) & @sportsunmax ➡️ https://t.co/W9mpYG1lMO
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet Or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/pTcosOVUUT

– National Hockey League (@NHL) May 17, 2024

At the end of the period, we were faced with a very controversial scene, when Elias Pettersson was sent to the cell because he “accused the opponent.”

I'll let you form your own opinion on that…but let's just say it wasn't unanimous.

At the end of the third period, the score was still 2-2…but JT Miller clearly didn't want to play overtime: with 32 seconds left, he threaded the needle to score the winning goal.

Supporters at the site honored him by chanting his name.

JT Miller with 32 seconds remaining in the third‼️

Oh, my God! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/qnZjcgIMBt

– National Hockey League (@NHL) May 17, 2024

The Canucks won 3-2, thus simultaneously taking a 3-2 lead in the series.

They will have a chance to eliminate the Oilers tomorrow night, against Edmonton.

extension

– unbelievable.

They're throwing hats at KREIDER's MSG viewing party 🤣 pic.twitter.com/PXOp6GT5DO

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 17, 2024

We are trying to help him in Vancouver despite the (very) difficult series.

“Let's go, Betty!” 🗣️

tea @Canucks Believers show their support for Elias Peterson. pic.twitter.com/eMpn5PTmlF

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2024

– A good gesture.

Chris Kreider: Class work through and through ❤️ #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/WapEm0rdwF

– National Hockey League (@NHL) May 17, 2024

– This is the first goal for Rangers, scored by Vincent Trocheck.

The Rangers get it right back from a Trocheck deflection 😳 pic.twitter.com/8S6dY9BfrR

– B/R OpenIce (@BR_OpenIce) May 17, 2024

– Ooops.

Oh no, Nils! 🫣 pic.twitter.com/j9iVck4nZu

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2024

-Great company.

Only three Rangers have scored 3 goals in a single playoff period…

🗽 Mark Messier
🗽Wayne Gretzky
🗽 Chris Kreider pic.twitter.com/sk2AsfsguL

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 17, 2024

– He wasn't happy.

Hurricanes coach accuses Rangers player Mika Zibanejad of selling crucial penalty: 'Too many extras' https://t.co/l9cYD2VCfr pic.twitter.com/Vw8LiHlriF

– New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 17, 2024

– Top scorers of the evening.

– Two matches are on offer this evening.

• Panthers vs. Bruins (7 p.m.). Florida leads the series 3-2.
• Stars vs. Avalanche (10 p.m.). Dallas leads the series 3-2.