NHL playoffs: 3 stories from Friday night

The Senators were packing a punch the Canadiens couldn't match, the Rangers did just enough to dispatch the Penguins, and the Wild looked like a completely different team.

Here are three stories from Friday's NHL playoff action:

Senators surprise, Canadiens disappoint 

The Senators stormed to a 5-1 victory over the Canadiens, forced a Game 6, and seemed to have a lot of fun in the process.

A pair of Ottawa goals in the first period were both accompanied by celebrations that probably didn't sit well with the majority of fans at the Bell Centre. 

First, Bobby Ryan just wanted to throw his hands up and shout after giving the Sens a 1-0 lead.

Then, on the goal that made in 2-0,  Patrick Wiercioch didn't feel the need to mind his manners when he celebrated by sticking out his tongue.

In the second period, Erik Karlsson's power-play marker put an exclamation point on the Sens offensive attack.

He followed that one up with a wink.

But it certainly wasn't a laughing matter for the Canadiens, who cut the Sens lead to 3-1 in the final frame, but couldn't get any closer.

On the night he was announced as a nominee for the Vezina Trophy, Carey Price did not turn in his finest outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots.

Meanwhile, Craig Anderson followed up his shutout in Game 4 with an impressive 45-save performance, which goes to show that Montreal had its chances.

The Canadiens frustration was on full display with two minutes left in the game, when Brandon Prust speared and tackled Craig Anderson.

Rangers, Pens go their separate ways

The Rangers aren't going to have too much trouble remembering how this series went as they posted a 2-1 victory over the Penguins for the fourth time to secure a 4-1 series win. 

New York now awaits the winner of the series between the Capitals and Islanders.

Game 5 was stretched to overtime, with Carl Hagelin providing the decisive marker. 

The teams politely shook hands after what was a close series at least in terms of goals.

The Penguins barely found their way into the playoffs and now head home with plenty of questions to answer regarding the makeup of the roster for next season. 

Response of the Wild

Minnesota, which has a 3-2 series lead, defeated St. Louis 4-1 and is now one win away from advancing to the next round.

The Wild responded in the best way possible after a 6-1 dismantling by the Blues on Wednesday.

Devan Dubnyk, who was chased from Minnesota's Game 4 loss, quieted any lingering concerns in turning away 36 shots.

Dubnyk was also nominated for the Vezina Trophy and he made a sprawling save in the second period for good measure.

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