* Ward, who also scored in the Capitals’ Game 7 victory over the Islanders on Monday, recorded his third career game-winning goal in the playoffs. The others: in Game 5 of the 2011 CSF at VAN (w/ NSH) and in overtime of Game 7 of the 2012 CQF at BOS.

* Overall, Ward has 13-18—31 in 47 career playoff games (0.66 points per game), compared to 97-123—220 in 517 regular-season outings (0.43 points per game).

* “I wanted to make a difference, kept telling myself that, and I was fortunate to get a pass from [Alex Ovechkin] and beat the buzzer,” said Ward, who also equaled a career high with four game-winning goals during the regular season (a feat established in 2010-11 w/ NSH and matched in 2013-14).

* Ovechkin (1-1—2) posted his 18th career multi-point playoff game, including his 10th career power-play goal in the postseason (66 GP). Half of his playoff goals with the man-advantage have come vs. NYR (27 GP).

* Ovechkin, who led the NHL with 53 overall goals during the regular season, also paced the League, established a career high and set a franchise record with 25 power-play strikes (81 GP).

* Braden Holtby made 31 saves to improve to 4-3 with a 1.54 goals-against average and .947 save percentage this postseason (7 GP). Elias says he has allowed no more than one goal in 11 of his 14 career playoff wins, including each of his last eight dating to Game 6 of the 2012 CSF vs. NYR.

* The Capitals defeated the Rangers in Game 1 for just the third time in their nine all-time playoff series. The other two instances: in the 2011 CQF (an eventual 4-1 series win) and in the 2013 CQF (an eventual 4-3 series loss).

* DID YOU KNOW? Game 1 marked the 20th playoff meeting between the Capitals and Rangers since 2010-11, tied for the most over that span with the Kings and Sharks.

* ICYMI: Click here to watch the Capitals react to Ward’s buzzer-beating goal . . . Click here for a behind-the-scenes look inside Washington’s locker room following its Game 1 victory.

DOWN TO THE WIRE
Capitals forward Joel Ward scored the third game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs (49 GP).

The others, both in the First Round: by Flames defenseman Kris Russell (at 19:30 of the third period in Game 1 at VAN) and Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg (at 19:39 of the third period in Game 2 vs. WPG).

Elias says the three such goals equal the total number from the past two playoff years combined (179 GP):

* In 2014, Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty scored the series-clinching goal at 19:17 of the third period in Game 4 of the FR vs. TBL.

* In 2013, Blues defenseman Barret Jackman scored at 19:09 of the third period in Game 2 of the CQF vs. LAK and Blackhawks forward Dave Bolland scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal at 19:01 of the third period in Game 6 of the F at BOS.

PERRY, GETZLAF POWER DUCKS TO 1-0 SERIES LEAD
Corey Perry (2-2—4) and Ryan Getzlaf (1-3—4) both registered four points to propel the Ducks to a Game 1 victory over the Flames.

* Perry and Getzlaf each matched the franchise record for points in one playoff game, a feat also achieved by Perry in Game 1 of the FR vs. WPG (2-2—4). They, however, became the first set of Ducks teammates to each collect four points in the same postseason game.

* Only two other players in Ducks history have registered four points in one playoff game: Joffrey Lupul (May 9, 2006 at COL: 4-0—4) and Andy McDonald (April 25, 2007 vs. VAN: 3-1—4).

* Via Elias, Perry became the first player to record multiple games of at least four points in one playoff year since 2004, when Flyers forward Keith Primeau did so (Game 5 of CSF vs. TOR: 3-1—4 and Game 6 of CF vs. TBL: 2-2—4).

* Elias also notes that Perry and Getzlaf became the first set of Ducks teammates to each notch at least four points in the same game (regular season or playoffs) since Nov. 8, 2013 vs. BUF (Getzlaf: 3-1—4, Dustin Penner: 1-3—4).

* The Ducks picked up their sixth consecutive victory dating to the regular season, including a 5-0 mark in the playoffs. They last won five straight playoff games from May 17-30, 2007, when they captured their first and only Stanley Cup.

* The Ducks extended their home winning streak against the Flames to 20 games dating to April 27, 2006 (regular season and playoffs). They also improved to 15-4-2 in their past 21 head-to-head meetings (home and away) dating to Dec. 10, 2010 (CGY: 6-11-4).

* The Ducks led for 49:43 in Game 1, with Matt Beleskey – who was mic’d up – giving the team a 1-0 advantage at 10:17 of the first period. Anaheim led for only 38:26 during the entire First Round vs. WPG, the least amount of time any club has ever led during a four-game sweep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* Emerson Etem and Patrick Maroon also scored for the Ducks, who equaled a franchise record for goals in one playoff game, last achieved April 25, 2014 vs. DAL (Game 5 of FR: 6-2 W).

NHL ANNOUNCES MASTERTON FINALISTS
The NHL announced that Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk, Senators goaltenderAndrew Hammond and Penguins defenseman Kris Letang are the three finalists for the 2014-15 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”

The local chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted nominations for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 24, during the 2015 NHL Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Click here for more information on each finalist.

* ICYMI: The NHL will reveal the three finalists for the NHL Foundation Player Award prior to tonight’s games.

LOOSE PUCKS
Rangers forward Jesper Fast scored his first career playoff goal (9 GP) . . . TeammateCarl Hagelin collected an assist to extend his point streak to four games (2-2—4) . . . Flames forward Sam Bennett registered the team’s lone goal. He has 3-2—5 in eight outings since making his NHL debut on April 11 (regular season and playoffs) . . . Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen made 23 saves to improve to 5-0 this postseason (1.97 GAA, .930 SV%) . . . Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (27 SV) suffered his first career Game 1 loss at Madison Square Garden (5-1) . . . Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik played in his 100th career playoff game (2-14—16) . . . Five of the Rangers’ six postseason games this year have featured a 2-1 final score (they are 4-1 in those contests). Each of their last eight playoff contests (dating to 2014) has been decided by one goal . . . ICYMI: Click here for an all-access look at the First Round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs . . . Click here to watch Capitals fans react to Joel Ward’s buzzer-beating goal in Game 1 . . . Click here to watch Lightning fans celebrate their Game 7 victory over the Red Wings.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Tampa Bay @ Montreal, Game 1, 7:00 p.m., NBCSN, CBC, TVA
Minnesota @ Chicago, Game 1, 9:30 p.m., NBCSN, SN, TVA2
NBC Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder

CANADIENS, LIGHTNING COLLIDE FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR . . .
The Canadiens and Lightning face off in the postseason for the third time overall and second consecutive year when they drop the puck for Game 1 at Bell Centre. These Atlantic Division rivals have split their two prior playoff matchups, with each team winning once via a sweep – Tampa Bay in the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals and Montreal in the 2014 First Round.

Last year, three of the four postseason games between these clubs were decided by one goal – including Game 4, in which Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty scored with 42.6 seconds remaining in regulation to lead the team to a sweep. The Lightning, however, bounced back with a five-game sweep during the 2014-15 regular season (MTL: 0-4-1). It marked the first time in franchise history that Tampa Bay swept its season series with Montreal. The Lightning also became the first team to sweep a season series of at least five games against the Canadiens since 1983-84 (BUF: 8-0-0).

Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop, who missed the teams’ playoff series in 2014 due to injury, owns a 10-1-2 record in 14 career appearances vs. MTL (1.53 GAA, .941 SV%, 1 SO). That includes a perfect 5-0-0 mark this season (1.59 GAA, .933 SV%, 1 SO).

. . . BLACKHAWKS, WILD MEET FOR THIRD STRAIGHT POSTSEASON
The Blackhawks and Wild also begin their Second Round series when they face off in Game 1 at United Center. These Central Division rivals are meeting in the playoffs for the third time overall and third consecutive season. Chicago has won each of the two prior matchups, defeating Minnesota in five games in the 2013 Western Conference Quarterfinals and in six games in the 2014 Second Round.

Last year, Patrick Kane scored at 9:42 of overtime in Game 6 to lift the Blackhawks to the Western Conference Final for the fourth time in the past six seasons. TeammateMarian Hossa leads all players with 4-11—15 in the 11 all-time playoff contests between these clubs, including 1-8—9 in last year’s six-game series.

After dropping five straight games to the Blackhawks from May 11, 2014 – Jan. 11, 2015 (regular season and playoffs), the Wild bounced back with two victories in their final two meetings of the regular season – a 3-0 triumph on Feb. 3 at MIN and a 2-1 win on April 7 at CHI that clinched their third consecutive playoff berth.

Thanks to the NHL PR Department for the information above.