Meriläinen Turns Aside Every Shot as Canucks Hold On
Brady Tkachuk rings one off the iron, but the Panthers still can't find a way past the Vancouver crease.
Written during the game · 9:13 PM ET. Final was VAN 2, FLA 3 (OT).
With 7:26 played in the 3rd period, Vancouver leads Florida 2-0, and the reason is Leevi Meriläinen. He has stopped all 26 shots he has faced, and the Panthers are still looking for their first goal.
Florida has had the busier night. The Panthers lead in shot attempts 50-31 and in shots on goal 26-13. They also have 18 high-danger chances (the best looks, close to the net) to Vancouver's 10. Meriläinen has turned aside all 10 of the high-danger shots he has seen.
His chances faced were worth about 2.3 goals by expected goals (how many goals shots like those usually produce). He has allowed none, so he has saved roughly that many more than an average goalie would. He is standing on his head.
Brady Tkachuk hit the post at 5:27 of the 3rd, the closest Florida has come lately. Seth Jones has five shots on goal and Sam Reinhart has four.
Vancouver's goals came in the 1st, from Liam Ohgren and Elias Pettersson. Akira Schmid has stopped 11 of 13 for Florida.
