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"You can't win in 7 unless you lose 3"
The motto of a gamer. It's all or nothing, obviously, when you are in a sudden-death matchup and this weekend was filled with them.
The past few days were electric for sports fans and nerve-wracking for bettors. Seven Game 7s... what a thrill.
How did the 7's all unfold?
NBA
No repeat Champions for the city of Milwaukee
FINAL: Celtics 109, Bucks 81
The Celtics took down the Goliath, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
His past two games included 69 points and 40 rebounds, becoming the third player alongside Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlin to average 20-20 in consecutive playoff losses. What a sabermetric.
The outcome of this game might have been different if All-star Khris Middleton wasn't sidelines with a knee injury. But don't discredit the Celtics for the Bucks loss. They deserved that win undoubtingly.
Grant Williams shined behind the arc, nailing seven 3's to score 27 points. Boston was 20-53 from three before their starters got pulled. Jayson Tatum also dropped 23 in the win. The defense shutdown Milwaukee, especially in the 4th.
It's now the 21st conference finals appearance in franchise history, can they push themselves into the finals?
Either way, the graduate called it...
NEXT: ECF Game 1 vs. No. 1 Miami Heat (5/17)
Speaking of no repeat attenders, the Suns pack it in early.
FINAL: Mavericks 123, Suns 90
Luka stayed true to his word.
No Suns in 4 Guy or Ayyyejae to help elevate the team. It was the Mavs from the second the ball tipped off. At one point, the Mavs led by 46 points.
Doncic was playing like an MVP, making shots from all over the floor and finishing 12 of 19 from the field, including 6 of 11 on 3s. With the stock market tumbling and crypto faltering, Spencer Dinwiddie (who's contract is in cryptocurrency) played like his life and money depended on it. He dropped an additional 30 as well.
It was not an ordinary CP3 game, who ended with a whopping 10 points. Social media made sure he heard it last night too.
NEXT: WCF Game 1 vs. No. 3 Golden State Warriors (5/18)
NHL
Connor McDavid propels Edmonton
FINAL: Oilers 2, Kings 0
The last time the Oilers advanced past the opening round was in 2017. They now return with one of the leagues best in the business. The Kings on the other hand haven't made it past the first round since they won it all in '14.
It was the Conor McDavid show. The four-time NHL First Team All-Star, four-time recipient of the Art Ross Trophy, three-time winner of the Ted Lindsay Award, and two time Hart Memorial Trophy recipient proved he is worthy of his accolades, scoring one and assisting another.
Oiler's goaltender Mike Smith made 29 saves in the shutout, mounting the 3-2 comeback against LA. It's now time for the Battle of Alberta, the first meeting of the two since the 1991 playoffs.
NEXT: Second Round Game 1: No. 1 Calgary Flames vs. No. 2 Edmonton Oilers (5/18)
Toronto's draught is daunting
FINAL: Lightning 2, Leafs 1
Tampa Bay is continuing their title run. The two-time defending champions are moving on... again. Nick Paul scored both in net and Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 30 shots. After a performance like this, could they claim their third straight?
It seem the grass isn't greener for John Tavares. The former Islander is clearly was frustrated after the loss and rightfully so. They have now lost its last seven series, including six straight dating back to 2017.
NEXT: Second Round Game 1: No. 1 Florida Panthers vs. No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning (5/17)
The B's couldn't withstand the storm
FINAL: Hurricanes 3, Bruins 2
The trade deadline paid dividends for Carolina. Max Domi, who was acquired in season from the Jackets, scored twice and tallied three points to secure the win. These were his first playoff goals of his career. Not a bad way to celebrate.
Bruins' Pastrnak scored with 20 seconds left, but it wasn't enough for Boston. The numbers weren't in their favor, as they were 1-13-0 this season when down by multiple goals through two periods.
Boston hadn't lost in the first round since 2016-17, reaching at least the semifinals in three of the past four seasons and making a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2018-19.
NEXT: Second Round Game 1: No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 2 New York Rangers (5/18)
Do you believe in New York miracles?!
FINAL: Rangers 4, Penguins 3 (FINAL/OT)
An OT thriller. Artemi Panarin. Power-play goal. Are you serious?!
It was an all-out effort by the New York crew. Mika Zibanejad scored a goal and provided two assists. Chris Kreider and K'Andre Miller each scored, alongside Andrew Copp's two assists and Igor Shesterkin saved an easy 42 shots. It was their third straight comeback win after trailing 3-1 in the series.
The Penguins will be heading into the offseason with some questions about a reshuffle. Is this the end of the Stanley Cup trio of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang?
NEXT: Second Round Game 1: No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 2 New York Rangers (5/18)
A whopping 64 shots saved by Star's Oettinger, but not enough to win.
FINAL: Flames 3, Stars 2 (FINAL/OT)
You read that right. 64 saves for Jake Oettinger, but the one that got away of course happened in OT.
It was Johnny Gaudreau who scored the game winner, advancing the Flames to the second round for the first time since 2014-15. Calgary kept the pressure on the Stars from there, out-attempting them 102-41 late into the third period.
They now prep for the coveted Battle of Alberta...
NEXT: Second Round Game 1: No. 1 Calgary Flames vs. No. 2 Edmonton Oilers (5/18)