Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

04/18/2015 at 11:18am EDT

FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
MONTREAL 3, Ottawa 2 (OT) – MTL leads 2-0
WASHINGTON 4, NY Islanders 3 – series tied 1-1
NASHVILLE 6, Chicago 2 – series tied 1-1
VANCOUVER 4, Calgary 1 – series tied 1-1

GALCHENYUK LIFTS CANADIENS PAST SENATORS IN OT
The Senators notched the tying goal with 6:35 remaining in regulation, but Alex Galchenyuk scored at 3:40 of overtime to power the Canadiens to a 2-0 series lead.

* Galchenyuk, the third overall selection by the Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Draft, recorded his second career postseason overtime goal (also May 22, 2014 vs. NYR). At 21 years, 64 days, Elias says he became the second player in franchise history to post two playoff overtime goals before his 22nd birthday. The other: Claude Lemieux, who achieved that milestone at 20 years, 293 days on May 5, 1986 at NYR.

* Making his return to the lineup following a three-game absence, Max Paciorettyscored the tying goal (on the power play) early in the second period. Pacioretty paced the team and shared fifth in the NHL with 37 goals during the regular season, two shy of his career high established in 2013-14.

* P.K. Subban also scored after collecting two assists in Game 1. He recorded career highs in goals (15), assists (45) and points (60) during the regular season.

* With his performance, Subban also climbed the Canadiens’ all-time charts – he moved into a tie with Emile Bouchard and Jimmy Roberts for sixth place on the franchise’s all-time playoff goals list among defensemen (11) and passed Bouchard for sole possession of seventh place on the franchise’s all-time postseason points list among defensemen (33).

* David Desharnais added two helpers for his second career multi-point playoff performance (also May 25, 2014 at NYR: 0-2—2).

* Carey Price, who led the NHL and set a franchise record with 44 victories during the regular season, made 29 saves to earn his fifth consecutive team/personal win (dating to April 5 at FLA).

* The Canadiens improved to 79-63-3 all-time in playoff overtime games. Their 79 such victories lead all NHL teams, while their 145 such games also pace all clubs.

* ICYMI: Andrei Markov planted on a kiss on Subban after his go-ahead goal in the second period.

2-0 TREND
Via Elias, teams that go up 2-0 in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs series hold an all-time series record of 293-48 (85.9%).

CAPITALS RALLY PAST ISLANDERS, EVEN SERIES
Down 3-1 late in the second period, the Capitals scored three unanswered goals – including the tiebreaker by Jason Chimera at 7:37 of the third period – to even their series with the Islanders.


* Per Elias, the Capitals overcame a two-goal deficit to win in regulation for the ninth time in franchise playoff history. They last accomplished that feat on April 21, 2008 at PHI.

* Chimera recorded his fifth career postseason game-winning goal (all w/ WSH). Elias says that is tied for second in franchise history, one shy of Peter Bondra.

* Nicklas Backstrom (1-2—3) posted his ninth career multi-point playoff game and fourth such performance with at least three points. He last recorded such a game on April 21, 2010, when he collected 1-2—3 at MTL. Overall, Backstrom has 16-30—46 in 59 career postseason outings.

* Alex Ovechkin snapped a seven-game playoff drought (dating to May 4, 2013 vs. NYR) with his 32nd career postseason goal – which ranks first in Capitals history, two ahead of Bondra. He has 32-30—62 in 60 career playoff games, second in club history behind Dale Hunter (25-47—72 in 100 GP).

* Philipp Grubauer turned aside 23 shots to earn the win in his postseason debut. Via Elias, he became the fifth rookie goaltender in Capitals history to pick up a win in his playoff debut and the first to do so since April 13, 2011 (Michal Neuvirth – now on NYI – vs. NYR).

* Grubauer (Rosenheim, Germany) also became the first German-born goaltender to start a game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* Matt Niskanen added a pair of assists for his fifth career multi-point postseason game and first since April 28, 2014 at CBJ (0-2—2 w/ PIT).

* ICYMI: Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at the Capitals’ locker room following their Game 2 victory.

DID YOU KNOW?
Of the 12 games contested thus far in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, half have seen a team overcome a deficit of at least one goal to win:

-Game 1 of OTT-MTL
-Game 1 of CHI-NSH*
-Game 1 of CGY-VAN
-Game 1 of WPG-ANA
-Game 2 of OTT-MTL
-Game 2 of NYI-WSH*
* Multi-goal comeback

FOUR UNANSWERED GOALS POWER PREDATORS
Knotted at 2-2 late in the second period, the Predators scored four unanswered goals – including three in a 2:19 span of the third period – to even their series with the Blackhawks.

* Via Elias, the Predators set a franchise playoff record with their three goals in 2:19. The previous mark of three goals in 3:36 was established on April 14, 2008 vs. DET.

* The Predators also set a franchise postseason record with six total goals, eclipsing the mark of five last achieved on April 14, 2008 vs. DET.

* Craig Smith posted 2-1—3, including his first career playoff goal and first career multi-point postseason performance. Per Elias, he became the fourth player in franchise history to record his first two career playoff goals in the same game. The others:Alexander Radulov (April 11, 2007 vs. SJS), Nick Spaling (April 24, 2011 vs. ANA) and Gabriel Bourque (April 11, 2012 vs. DET).

* Filip Forsberg (1-1—2) also recorded his first career postseason goal/points. At 20 years, 247 days, Elias says he became the youngest player in franchise history to notch a playoff goal.

* Making his postseason debut, Mike Santorelli added his first career playoff goal.Roman Josi also notched his first career postseason tally (12 GP).

* After scoring twice in Game 1, Colin Wilson registered the game’s opening goal. He had one playoff goal in 13 career outings prior to this season.

* The Predators snapped a seven-game skid dating to March 29 vs. CGY, which included three losses after regulation.

CANUCKS BUILD EARLY LEAD, HOLD OFF FLAMES
Daniel Sedin and Chris Higgins each scored less than eight minutes after the opening face-off to give the Canucks an early 2-0 lead en route to tying their series with the Flames.

* Higgins posted his fourth career playoff game-winning goal and first since 2011, when he recorded three such tallies during the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final.

* Ronalds Kenins added his first career postseason goal (2 GP), while Radim Vrbatasupplied the other tally.

* Eddie Lack made 22 saves – but fell 3:34 of the shutout – while earning his first career playoff victory. He now has a 4-2 record in six career games vs. CGY (regular season and playoffs), allowing one goal or fewer in four of those contests.

* Alexandre Burrows and Christopher Tanev each collected two assists; Tanev recorded his first career playoff points (12 GP).

* The Canucks snapped a seven-game home losing streak in the playoffs dating to Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

* ICYMI: Former Canucks goaltender Kirk McLean led the crowd’s cheer prior to puck drop.


1-1 SCENARIOS
When teams are tied 1-1 in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs series, Elias says that the winner of Game 3 holds an all-time series record of 189-92 (67.3%).

LOOSE PUCKS
Senators forward Mark Stone registered two assists for his first career multi-point playoff game (0-3—3 in 4 GP). He has posted at least one point in 10 of his last 11 outings (dating to March 28 at TOR), totaling 8-7—15 in that span . . . TeammateClarke MacArthur scored his third career postseason goal (and first since May 10, 2013 at BOS w/ TOR). He has collected at least one point in eight of his last nine games (dating to March 31 at DET), compiling 4-6—10 in that span . . . Islanders forward Ryan Strome recorded his second goal in as many playoff appearances. Per Elias, he became the fourth player in franchise history to score in each of his first two career postseason games. The others: Jean Potvin (April 8-10, 1975 vs. NYR), Mike Bossy (April 17-19, 1978 vs. TOR) and Brent Sutter (April 7-8, 1982 vs. PIT) . . . Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp scored for the third consecutive game (dating to the final day of the regular season, April 11 at COL). He ranks fifth in franchise history with 39 career playoff goals (96 GP) . . . Teammate Patrick Kane added his 38th career postseason goal (95 GP). He has 1-2—3 in two games since returning from injury . . . Flames defenseman Kris Russell scored his second goal in as many games. He had one career postseason goal prior to the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs (13 GP) and four goals during the 2014-15 regular season (79 GP) . . . Senators defenseman Patrick Wiercioch registered his first career postseason goal (3 GP) . . . Islanders captainJohn Tavares posted one assist. He has at least one point in eight consecutive games (dating to March 29 vs. ANA), totaling 4-10—14 in that span . . . Willie Desjardins(VAN) earned his first playoff victory as an NHL head coach (2 GP) . . . ICYMI: The Stars signed defenseman John Klingberg to a seven-year contract extension . . . Click here for an all-access look at Game 1 of the Penguins-Rangers series.

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Detroit @ Tampa Bay, DET leads 1-0, 3:00 p.m., NBC/NBCSN, CBC, TVA
Minnesota @ St. Louis, MIN leads 1-0, 3:00 p.m., NBC/NBCSN, SN, TVA2
Pittsburgh @ NY Rangers, NYR leads 1-0, 8:00 p.m., NBC, CBC, TVA
Winnipeg @ Anaheim, ANA leads 1-0, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN, SN, TVA, PRIME
NBC Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder

2015 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY TAKES PLACE TONIGHT
The 2015 NHL Draft Lottery, a weighted system implemented and utilized to determine the order of selection in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft for the 14 clubs not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs (or the clubs that have acquired the first-round drafting positions of those non-playoff teams), takes place tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The results of the Draft Lottery will be revealed live on CBC and TVA Sports in Canada and on NBC in the U.S. immediately preceding the start of Game 2 of the Penguins-Rangers series.

Odds of Winning 2015 NHL Draft Lottery
1. Buffalo Sabres: 20.0%
2. Arizona Coyotes: 13.5%
3. Edmonton Oilers: 11.5%
4. Toronto Maple Leafs: 9.5%
5. Carolina Hurricanes: 8.5%
6. New Jersey Devils: 7.5%
7. Philadelphia Flyers: 6.5%
8. Columbus Blue Jackets: 6.0%
9. San Jose Sharks: 5.0%
10. Colorado Avalanche: 3.5%
11. Florida Panthers: 3.0%
12. Dallas Stars: 2.5%
13. Los Angeles Kings: 2.0%
14. Boston Bruins: 1.0%

* Click here for more details.

* Click here for a table of numeric combinations.

* Click here for a table of combinations by team.

the above information was provided by the NHL PR department

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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.

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