Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

04/16/2014 at 11:11am EDT

SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Montreal @ Tampa Bay, 7:00 p.m., CNBC, CBC, RDS, SUN
Columbus @ Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN, CBC, FS-O, ROOT
Dallas @ Anaheim, 10:00 p.m., NBCSN, TSN, RDS (JIP), FS-SW, FS-W

LIGHTNING, CANADIENS DROP PUCK ON POSTSEASON
The Lightning play host to the Canadiens at Tampa Bay Times Forum in the first game of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. These clubs met four times during the regular season, with Tampa Bay posting a 3-0-1 series edge (MTL: 1-1-2). Three of the four games between these teams were decided in extra time and their most recent matchup on April 1 was sealed with an empty-net goal in the final minute of regulation. The Lightning and Canadiens have met one previous time in the playoffs, with Tampa Bay earning a 4-0 sweep in the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Overall, Tampa Bay is 12-3-4 in its past 19 games, including four consecutive victories, while Montreal is 11-3-1 in its last 15 dating to March 15.

BLUE JACKETS AIM FOR FIRST WIN OF 2013-14 AGAINST PENGUINS
The Blue Jackets visit the Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center in their second all-time playoff appearance and first since 2009. Columbus will try to reverse a one-sided regular-season series that saw Pittsburgh post a five-game sweep – the Penguins owned a 16-7 edge in goals, went 5-for-19 on the power-play (26.3%), killed 13-of-14 penalties (92.9%) and led or were tied for 299:04 of the 300 minutes in playing time. Overall, the Blue Jackets have lost six straight to the Penguins, with their last victory coming Feb. 8, 2011. Columbus finished the regular season with four wins in their final five games, while Pittsburgh went 2-0-2 in its last four, all of which were decided in extra time.

DUCKS LOOK TO CONTINUE RECORD-SETTING SEASON VERSUS STARS
The Ducks will try to build on their record-setting season when they play host to the Stars at Honda Center. Anaheim went 54-20-8 in the regular season, establishing franchise records in wins (54), points (116), points percentage (.707), home wins (29) and road wins (25). They also finished with the top record in the Western Conference for the first time in club history. The Stars, meanwhile, are making their first playoff appearance since 2008, when they beat the Ducks in six games in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Overall, Anaheim is riding a four-game winning streak, while Dallas closed the regular season with six victories in its final 10 games to capture the second Wild Card in the Western Conference.

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]