THREE HARD LAPS: QUICK HITS FROM WEDNESDAY

* Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen scored the tying goal and the winner in the sixth game to require overtime through the first eight days of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Home teams improved to 4-2 in those contests.

* 42-year-old Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara made history by becoming the oldest NHL blueliner to score a game-winning goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* The Stars erupted for four goals in the first period to defeat the Predators in Game 4.

RANTANEN SCORES TYING GOAL, OT WINNER AS AVALANCHE TAKE 3-1 SERIES LEAD

Mikko Rantanen tied the game with 2:50 remaining in regulation and scored the overtime winner as the Avalanche rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the third period to win Game 4 and take a 3-1 lead in their First Round series. Colorado, which won its third consecutive contest against the top-seeded team in the Western Conference, owns a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series for the first time since the 2006 Conference Quarterfinals – an eventual five-game triumph over Dallas.

* Rantanen became the 18th player in NHL history to score a tying goal in the final five minutes of regulation in a playoff game and net the overtime winner and second to do so with the Avalanche, joining Paul Stastny in Game 1 of the 2014 First Round (5-4 OT W vs. MIN). Game 1 of the 2014 First Round was also the last time Colorado overcame a multi-goal deficit in the third period to win a postseason contest.

* Rantanen became the second Avalanche player to score a tying goal in the final five minutes of regulation during the First Round, joining J.T. Compher at 17:21 of the third period in Game 2 (3-2 OT W). Colorado won two games in a playoff series where it scored a tying goal in the final five minutes of regulation for the third time in franchise history (also 2006 CQF vs. DAL and 2014 R1 vs. MIN).

* Did You Know? After the regular season saw an NHL-record 138 multi-goal comebacks, the Avalanche staged the second such contest in the opening eight days of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs; they joined the Blue Jackets, who rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win Game 1 of their First Round series – the first victory in an eventual historic sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy winners.

BRUINS SCORE SIX, HANG ON TO EVEN FIRST ROUND SERIES

Brad Marchand (1-2—3), David Pastrnak (2-0—2) and Charlie McAvoy (1-1—2) each collected multiple points as the Bruins scored six goals and withstood a third-period Maple Leafs rally to win Game 4 and even their First Round series at 2-2.

* Tuukka Rask (38 saves) turned aside 14 of Toronto’s 16 shots in the third period to earn his 37th career win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and passAndy Moog (36) for sole possession of second place on the franchise’s all-time list, trailing only Gerry Cheevers (53). He also surpassed Antti Niemi (36) for the second-most postseason wins in NHL history among Finnish goaltenders, behind only Nashville’s Pekka Rinne (45).

* Zdeno Chara scored the eventual game-winning goal at 5:39 of the third period. Chara (42 years, 30 days) became the second-oldest defenseman in NHL history to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, behind only Chris Chelios (45 years, 86 days) in Game 5 of the 2007 Conference Quarterfinals (w/ DET).

* Chara became the oldest defenseman in League history to score a game-winning goal in the postseason. Only two forwards older than Chara have scored a game winner in the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Mark Recchi (43 years, 125 days) in Game 3 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final (w/ BOS) andTeemu Selanne (42 years, 301 days) in Game 1 of the 2013 Conference Quarterfinals (w/ ANA).

STARS RACE OUT TO EARLY LEAD, PULL EVEN IN SERIES

The Stars raced out to a 4-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes en route to winning Game 4 and pulling even in their First Round series with the Predators.

* The Stars scored four or more goals in the first period of a postseason game for the fifth time in franchise history and first since the club began play in Dallas. The other instances (all as the Minnesota North Stars): Game 3 of the 1991 Division Semifinals (5), Game 2 of the 1971 Semifinals (4), Game 3 of the 1981 Preliminary Round (4) and Game 3 of the 1991 Division Finals (4).

* Roope Hintz scored twice to become the first Stars rookie to record a multi-goal game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since Niko Kapanen in Game 5 of the 2003 Conference Semifinals (2-0—2 vs. ANA). Hintz (22 years, 151 days) also became the first Stars/North Stars player to record a multi-goal game in the postseason before celebrating his 23rd birthday since Minnesota’s Mike Modano (20 years, 321 days) in Game 4 of the 1991 Division Finals (2-1—3 vs. STL).

* John Klingberg (0-3—3) became the fifth different defenseman in franchise history to collect three or more assists in a postseason game and first since Sergei Zubov in Game 4 of the 2006 Conference Quarterfinals (0-3—3 at COL). The franchise record for most assists in a playoff game by a defenseman is four, a mark set by Minnesota’s Brad Maxwell in Game 4 of the 1981 Stanley Cup Final (0-4—4 vs. NYI).

Photo via @DallasStars

BEST-OF-SEVEN SERIES SCENARIOS THROUGH FOUR GAMES

* Teams that take a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series own an all-time series record of 276-28 (90.7%).

* When a best-of-seven series is tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 owns an all-time series record of 205-55 (78.8%).

PLAYOFF QUICK CLICKS

* Start times set for First Round games on April 20th

* Patrice Bergeron, Ryan O’Reilly, Mark Stone named Selke Trophy finalists

* King Clancy Trophy team nominees announced by NHL

* Justin Williams’ old friends are now playoff foes

* Tkachuk family cheers on Matthew at Flames playoff game in Denver

* Canadiens, Panthers to play at 2019 Kraft Hockeyville Canada on Sept. 18

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION

* The Golden Knights look to become the third team in NHL history to advance past the opening round of the playoffs in each of their first two seasons in the League, in which they would join the Rangers (1926-27 and 1927-28) and Blues (1967-68 and 1968-69).

* The Hurricanes aim to pull even in their First Round series when they host the Capitals in Game 4 at PNC Arena. Carolina, which hosted a postseason game for the first time in a decade on Monday, are 15-8 in 23 home playoff contests since the beginning of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* The Jets-Blues series returns to Winnipeg with the road team having won each of the first four games. Only three best-of-seven series in Stanley Cup Playoffs history have the featured the road team winning each of the first five games: the 1951 Semifinals (MTL-DET), 1995 Conference Finals (NJD-PHI) and 2004 Conference Finals (CGY-SJS).

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.