Brawls and questionable calls highlight NHL playoff weekend

The GIST: One week into the NHL Playoffs and there’s already been what seems like a year’s worth of brawls and questionable calls. With a handful of squads on the edge of second round–clinching glory, here’s everything you need to know.

Eastern Conference: The Carolina Hurricanes are surging through their matchup with the NY Islanders — highlighted by a lopsided 5–2 road win in Game 4 yesterday — and lead the series 3-1, meaning they have a chance to become the first team to advance when they return home for Game 5 tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET.

• Also knocking on the door? The regular-season record-setting Boston Bruins. The Stanley Cup favorites depart Florida with a 3-1 series lead after yesterday’s chippy 6–2 Game 4 win over the Panthers, but the squads have until Wednesday to cool off.

Western Conference: Facing a slippery slope to elimination, Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers regained their footing last night, taking down the Wild Card LA Kings 5–4 in overtime. Now both squads will head north of the border hoping to find an edge in tomorrow’s 9:30 p.m. ET Game 5. They don’t call it the wild, wild West for nothing.