Saturday’s action saw the home teams (Boston and San Jose) win Game 5. Although Columbus and Colorado will be playing at home in Game 6, both teams will be facing do-or-die scenarios.

David Pastrnak delivered when the Bruins needed it the most. Pastrnak scored two goals, including the game-winner with a minute and a half left in regulation, to lead the Bruins to a 4-3 win over Columbus in Game 5 on Saturday. Pasta was also a plus-3 and fired seven shots on goal in what was his best game of the series.   

Here’s Pastrnak’s game-winner:

DAVID PASTRNAK DOES IT LATE FOR THE BRUINS! THE BRUINS COME OUT VICTORIOUS IN GAME 5!#NHLBruins 4 – 3 #CBJ FINAL
(BOS Leads Series 3-2) pic.twitter.com/0r7hJhB6nQ

— Hockey Daily #StickTogether (@HockeyDaily365) May 5, 2019

After being held to just a single point over the first three games of the series, Pastrnak now has back-to-back games with multiple points. The soon-to-be 23-year-old has experienced elite-level playoff numbers early in his career.
 

David Pastrnak has collected 14-21—35 in 30 postseason appearances, the third-highest points-per-game percentage among active NHL players through their 30th playoff game. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/CukQ33dgWo

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 5, 2019

Pastrnak’s usual linemate Brad Marchand scored a goal and added two assists. Marchand had been held without a point for four consecutive games before recording an assist in Game 4. The Bruins are 21-1 in playoff games in which Marchand scores, according to a stat from the HNIC broadcast. 

After no goals in the first period and just one goal in the second period (by David Krejci), the two teams exploded for six goals in a third period in which the two teams combined for 28 shots (although they took 27 shots in the second period).

Game 5 was defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov’s first NHL game. Gavrikov, a 2015 sixth-round pick of the Jackets, was signed in April to a two-year entry-level contract after spending the past six seasons in the KHL. Gavrikov is described as a shutdown defenseman who could be NHL-ready next season, although his scoring totals don’t suggest that he’s a must-own in fantasy leagues. Gavrikov played 14 minutes and saw minutes with David Savard. See Gavrikov’s Dobber Prospects profile here.

To make room for Gavrikov, the Jackets decided to roll with seven defensemen and use just 11 forwards, so Alexandre Texier was the odd man out in Game 5. After grabbing some attention with two goals and an assist in the Jackets’ opening-round sweep against Tampa Bay, Texier has been held without a point in the three games he has played against Boston. Texier, who was a second-round pick of the Jackets in 2017, has more fantasy upside than Gavrikov if you are looking at Jackets’ prospects. You can view his Dobber Prospects profile here.

With the 7 D arrangement in Game 5, journeyman blueliner Adam Clendening was the odd man out, playing just three minutes. I’d expect Clendening to be a healthy scratch in Game 6 as the Jackets bring in another forward – maybe Texier?

If Boston wins this series, I’d be concerned about their fatigue level against a more well-rested Carolina team. The Bruins played seven games at Toronto and will either play six or seven games in this series. However, Carolina was supposed to be the “tired” team in their series against the Islanders. Not a lot makes sense during these playoffs.

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Tomas Hertl scored both Sharks’ goals in their 2-1 win over Colorado in Game 5. Hertl made his mark in this game in also firing eight shots on goal in 24 minutes of icetime. Hertl had scored six goals during the first-round series against Vegas, but he entered Game 5 without a goal in the first four games against Colorado.

As much as I said after Game 3 that Logan Couture has been carrying the Sharks during the playoffs, Hertl’s contributions cannot go ignored. Hertl’s goals are his seventh and eighth of the playoffs, which puts him just one goal behind Couture in these playoffs. So let’s adjust my previous statement to say that it’s Couture and Hertl who have combined to carry the Sharks offensively. With 17 goals between them, they have combined for nearly half (46%) of the Sharks’ goal scoring during the playoffs.

Martin Jones might not be considered one of the league’s elite goalies. However, he has posted a 2.02 GAA and a .926 SV% in this series against a Colorado offense that was in the top third of the league. He’s taken the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final once before, and if he can hold it together, he might do it again. After a rough first four games against Vegas, he has rounded into form.
 

After a tumultuous beginning to the playoffs, Martin Jones has been a steadying force between the pipes for the #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/2Q9UpuGO7Q

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 5, 2019

On the Colorado side, Tyson Jost’s goal was his first goal of the playoffs. The Avs’ 2016 first-round pick has just one assist during the playoffs and has often been held to under ten minutes per game during the playoffs. The regular-season icetime wasn’t quite as low (averaged 13:00), so this has more to do with the top line consistently being given well over 20 minutes per game. If you’re an Avalanche fan, at least you can’t complain that your coach isn’t playing your best players often enough.

Nathan MacKinnon’s eight-game playoff point streak came to an end in Game 5. This was far from MacKinnon’s best game, as the CBC broadcast kept bringing up his negative body language throughout the game from his own missed opportunities and poor passes from his teammates. The cameras have also caught at least one heated discussion with Jared Bednar on the bench during the season. He’ll need to put that behind him if his season is to continue after Game 6 on Monday.

The Avalanche had no business winning this game, as they were outshot at a nearly 2:1 ratio (39-22). Philipp Grubauer kept the Avs in this game, stopping 37 of 39 shots.

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Trevor van Riemsdyk is expected to miss the rest of the playoffs after undergoing shoulder surgery. Jake Bean has been recalled on an emergency basis. Bean was named to the AHL all-rookie team this season after scoring 44 points (13g-31a) in 70 games for the Charlotte Checkers. There’s lots of fantasy upside for Bean if he can find his way onto the Carolina roster at some point, although I’d expect his game action to be very limited if he suits up at all during the playoffs. View Bean’s Dobber Prospects Profile here.

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According to Elliotte Friedman, Ken Holland’s offer from the Edmonton Oilers to be their general manager is a five-year contract at $5 million per season. Although GM salaries are generally not revealed, this offer would place Holland at the top end of pay ranges at his profession. The Oilers must really want to hire Holland!

A late-night update to the Holland situation:
 

As we sign off for the night, Ken Holland’s decision on EDM’s substantial offer to be GM is expected in the next day or so. If he does join the Oilers, it is believed Dave Tippett will be in the coaching mix.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 5, 2019

Connor McDavid owners and Leon Draisaitl owners are already cringing at the thought of the latter part of that tweet. Hey, at least Tippett might improve the defense. So yeah, check back for further updates, which I'm sure will happen very soon. 

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For more fantasy hockey information, or to reach out to me directly, you can follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding.