Saturday's Morning Skate 5/3

For the second straight year, the Penguins eliminated the Senators and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Photo credit: @psamp.

I might've gone 4-for-8 with my first round NHL picks but after last night's series wins by Grand Rapids, Norfolk and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, I am a perfect 6-for-6 so for with my first round AHL picks.

There's two Game Fives left in the first round before the Conference Semifinals matches will be determined, starting with Springfield and Providence tonight at the Mass Mutual Center. Tomorrow night, the Rochester Americans and Chicago Wolves will battle in a Game Five out West.



Eastern Conference Playoff Action

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - 5, Binghamton - 1

For the second straight year (and on the same day and month as last season), the Penguins eliminated the Senators in convincing fashion. The Pens broke the game open in the first and second periods thanks to nine Binghamton penalties and the duo of Andrew Ebbett (1G, 2A) and Chuck Kobasew (1G, 1A).

Peter Mannino stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced and was instrumental in keeping the game scoreless in the first 8:45 as the BSens came out flying much as you would expect a team on the brink of elimination would.

The Penguins advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the second straight year and have never lost the BSens at home in the playoffs (6-0 all-time). The Pens await the result of the Providence/Springfield series tonight to determine whether they host Providence or travel to St. John's to start round two.

Norfolk - 3, Manchester - 2

After dropping Game One to Manchester, the Norfolk Admirals rallied for three straight wins to eliminate the top-seeded Monarchs after last night's Game Four at The Scope.

After a back-and-forth battle had the game tied 2-2 halfway through the third period, Game Three's OT hero Maxime Sauve put the proverbial dagger in the side as his second goal of the series with 9:11 left in regulation proved to be enough to advance the eighth seeded Admirals to the second round.

John Gibson stopped 17 of 19 in his third win of the playoffs for Norfolk, who await the result of Springfield & Providence before traveling to either Springfield or St. John's for round two.

St. John's - 4, Albany - 1

From the Mile One Centre in Newfoundland, Canada, the IceCaps leaned on Andrew Gordon's hat trick and 39 saves from Michael Hutchinson to defeat the Albany Devils and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Pending the result of Springfield/Providence tonight, the IceCaps will host either Norfolk or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the next round.

Western Conference Scores

Grand Rapids - 5, Abbotsford - 3 (Grand Rapids wins series 3-1)
Rochester - 7, Chicago - 2 (Series tied 2-2)