Trailing 4-2 to start the third period of Game 5 against the New York Islanders, the Boston Bruins made a change in goal with Jeremy Swayman replacing Tuukka Rask between the pipes.

Rask allowed four goals on 16 shots over the first 40 minutes, including a trio of second-period markers. The Islanders were also able to score three power-play goals on the former Vezina Trophy winner.

It marks the NHL playoff debut for the 22-year-old Swayman, who appeared in 10 games as a rookie for the Bruins this season. He was 7-3 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .945 save percentage during the regular season.

Swayman didn't see much action during the third, as he allowed one goal on only three shots faced. Boston managed to close the gap but still fell 5-4, and Swayman was credited with the loss. The Islanders now have a 3-2 series lead and will look to finish the series on home ice Wednesday.

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The Colorado Avalanche cruised to a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Friday night to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their opening-round series.

More to come.

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Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid was helped off the ice after crashing leg first into a post against the Calgary Flames on Saturday night.

With a little under four minutes gone in the second period, McDavid made a hard rush to the net and Flames defenseman Mark Giordano sprawled to stop his approach. That upended McDavid, sending him barreling into the net at top speed.

McDavid remained on the ice for several minutes while training staff attended to him. Teammates then helped him to the dressing room, and McDavid couldn't put any weight on his injured left leg.

X-rays after the game came back negative indicating he does not have a broken leg, the team announced. He will return to Edmonton and undergo an MRI.

McDavid entered the game second in the league with 116 points. With the Oilers missing the playoffs for the second straight year, Saturday's game was his final NHL contest of the season. However, it was believed a healthy McDavid would play for Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championships.

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Bad news for the Vancouver Canucks as forward Brandon Sutter will be out at least four-to-six weeks after injuring his shoulder Monday night, according to TSN's Farhan Lalji.

Sutter separated his shoulder after crashing into the boards during a penalty kill in the second period. The initial time frame is considered a best case scenario according to Lalji, meaning Sutter could be out even longer than six weeks.

After the game Canucks head coach Travis Green didn't get into specifics on Sutter's injury, but did say the recovery time would not be days but "more like weeks."

Through 12 games this season, Sutter has recorded three goals and one assist. He had 11 goals and 15 assists in 61 games with Vancouver last season.

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The NHL is one step closer to a 32nd franchise as commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the executive committee voted unanimously to recommend Seattle for an expansion team, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

A formal vote will take place at December's Board of Governors meeting.

Related: Who, what, where, when, how: Answering NHL-to-Seattle FAQs

The Seattle ownership group is led by Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Texas billionaire David Bonderman. Former Arizona Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett, who is serving as an advisor, is the group's lone hockey-related hire.

The group is aiming to join the NHL for the 2020-21 season, playing out of the KeyArena, where an extensive renovation has been planned.

The NHL has expanded by three teams since 2000, adding the Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights.

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