Series Notes:

* Since 2003, the Blackhawks (5) and Ducks (4) have reached the Conference Finals more than any other NHL clubs. Chicago is making its third consecutive trip, while Anaheim is in the third round for the first time since 2007 (when it captured its first Stanley Cup).

* A California-based team is in the Western Conference Final for the sixth consecutive year and 10th time in the past 12 seasons.

* The Ducks (8-1) and Blackhawks (8-2) boast the top two records in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They are the only teams that have yet to suffer a home loss this postseason, both at 5-0.

* These teams feature five of the top seven scorers in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Ducks teammates Corey Perry (7-8—15), Ryan Getzlaf (2-10—12) and Jakob Silfverberg (3-8—11) and Blackhawks teammates Patrick Kane (7-6—13) andJonathan Toews (4‑7—11). Duncan Keith of Chicago also paces all defensemen with 2-8—10.

* This series includes two of the top team offenses in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs – the Ducks lead the NHL with an average of 3.89 goals per game, while the Blackhawks sit third with an average of 3.20.

* Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau, who has 363 NHL regular-season wins behind the bench, is making his first appearance in the Conference Finals. Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, leads all active coaches with 754 wins in the regular season and 107 victories in the playoffs.

Ducks Notes:

* In the Second Round vs. CGY, the Ducks improved to 10-2 in 12 all-time playoff games in which they could eliminate their opponent at home (14-9 overall). They also improved to 8-1 in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, marking the first time in club history they have won eight of nine games at any point in the postseason.

* Forward Corey Perry, who leads all players with 7-8—15 this postseason (9 GP), scored the series-clinching goal in overtime vs. CGY. He became the fourth player in Ducks history to register a series-clinching goal in overtime, joining Steve Rucchin(April 16, 2003 vs. DET, Game 4 of CQF), Scott Niedermayer (May 3, 2007 vs. VAN – 2OT, Game 5 of CSF) and Nick Bonino (April 27, 2014 at DAL, Game 6 of FR).

* Forward Matt Beleskey scored in all five games vs. CGY (5-0—5) to establish a franchise playoff record. He also matched the longest such run in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, Beleskey’s opponent in the Western Conference Final, also has an active five-game goal streak (6-2—8). Beleskey became the first player to score in each of the first five games of a playoff series for any team since Mikael Samuelsson did so with the Canucks in the 2010 Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. LAK (7-2—9 in 5 GP).

* In the First Round vs. WPG, the Ducks swept a best-of-seven series for the fourth time in franchise history and first time since the 2006 Western Conference Semifinals vs. COL. They also became the first team in NHL history to win three consecutive games in one playoff series when trailing entering the third period (Games 1-3).

* Overall, the Ducks are 4-0 when trailing after 40 minutes this postseason – no remaining team has more than one such win in that scenario. The Ducks have outscored their opponents 16-3 in the third period during the playoffs – their 16 goals and +13 differential lead the NHL (no other team is better than +4).

* The Ducks also specialized in dramatic finishes during the regular season, setting an NHL single-season record for wins when trailing at any point in the third period (18) and matching the NHL mark for wins when trailing after two periods (12). Anaheim also set an NHL record with 33 wins in one-goal games (33-1-7).

* Sparking the Ducks’ success in close games was the clutch performance of captainRyan Getzlaf – 13 of his 25 goals either tied a game or gave the team a lead. Six were game-winning goals. Getzlaf tied for third in the NHL in even-strength scoring (22-33—55) and shared the League lead in overtime scoring (2-3—5).

* Six of the Ducks’ eight wins this postseason have seen the team overcome a deficit at any point in the contest. They posted 24 such victories during the regular season (out of 51 total wins).

* During the regular season, the Ducks posted the top record in the Western Conference for the second consecutive year and captured their third straight Pacific Division title with the second-best record in franchise history, trailing only the 2013-14 club (53-20-8, 114 points). The last NHL team to post back-to-back 50-win seasons was the Canucks in 2010-11 (54-19-9) and 2011-12 (51-22-9). Anaheim also duplicated its 25-12-4 road record from 2013-14, matching club bests in road wins (25) and standings points (54).

Blackhawks Notes:

* In the Second Round vs. MIN, the Blackhawks recorded their ninth all-time sweep in a best-of-seven series and first since the 2010 Western Conference Final vs. SJS. They did not trail at any point in the series, a first for them since the 1992 Norris Division Final vs. DET.

* The Blackhawks eliminated the Wild from the playoffs for the third consecutive year, also doing so in the 2013 Western Conference Quarterfinals (4-1) and 2014 Second Round (4-2). They became the first team to eliminate the same opponent in each of three consecutive postseasons since the Maple Leafs did so to the Senators from 2000-02.

* The Blackhawks are 14-3 in their last 17 playoff games in which they could eliminate an opponent (dating to 2009).

* Forward Patrick Kane scored in all four games vs. MIN (5-1—6) and has found the back of the net in five straight contests dating to Game 6 of the First Round vs. NSH (6-2—8). He also is on an active seven-game point streak (6-4—10), the longest by any player this postseason and tied for a personal high in the playoffs, established April 22 – May 7, 2010 (4-6—10).

* In the Second Round, Kane became the fourth player in Blackhawks history to score in each of the first four (or more) games of a playoff series. The others: Bobby Hull(Games 1-5 of 1965 SF vs. DET), Steve Larmer (Games 1-4 of 1989 DF vs. STL) andDustin Byfuglien (Games 1-4 of 2010 CF vs. SJS).

* Kane ranks ninth among active players with 44-60—104 in 103 career playoff games. Only four other players in Blackhawks history have reached the 100-point milestone in the postseason: Stan Mikita (59-91—150), Denis Savard (61-84—145), Hull (62-67—129) and Larmer (45‑66—111).

* After losing the starting role in the First Round, goaltender Corey Crawford has bounced back with five consecutive wins – including all four vs. MIN (1.75 GAA, .947 SV%, 1 SO). He has been in net for all 15 playoff meetings between the Blackhawks and Wild, posting a 12-3 record in those contests (1.69 GAA, .940 SV%, 2 SO).

* In Game 1 of the First Round at NSH, the Blackhawks overcame a three-goal deficit to win in the playoffs for the first time since April 8, 1991 (DSF at MIN). In Game 4, Chicago won 3-2 in triple-overtime – the Blackhawks have contested the last three triple-overtime games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (also April 17, 2014 at STL and June 12, 2013 vs. BOS).

* During the regular season, the Blackhawks achieved several notable team marks en route to recording their fifth 100-point campaign since 2009-10. The team set a franchise record for road victories (24), surpassing the previous high of 23 set in 2008-09; posted an NHL-best 25-0-0 record when leading after two periods; allowed just 189 goals, tied with the Canadiens for the fewest in the League; led the NHL in shots on goal (2,777), just 21 shy of the franchise record; and were assessed an average of just 7.3 penalty minutes per game, second-fewest in the NHL.

* Combined with the playoffs, the Blackhawks are 30-0-0 this season when leading after two periods. The four remaining postseason teams own a combined 17-1 record in that scenario – the Ducks have the lone loss (Game 3 of SR at CGY).

SATURDAY’S RESULT
Home Team in Caps
NY RANGERS 2, Tampa Bay 1 – NYR leads series 1-0

MOORE'S LATE HEROICS POWER RANGERS TO 1-0 LEAD IN EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Lightning forward Ondrej Palat tied the game at 6:45 of the third period, but DominicMoorescored the go-ahead goal with 2:25 remaining in regulation to lift the Rangers past the Lightning and to a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final.

* Moore, who played with the Lightning from 2010-2012, scored his first goal of the postseason (13 GP). His last goal also stood as the decisive marker, on April 11 at WSH in New York’s regular season finale (4-2 W).

* Moore has four career playoff game-winning goals – including three in the last two years – in 82 postseason games. He has 11 such tallies in the regular season (685 GP), including his first career deciding goal (regular season and playoffs) at Tampa Bay on Nov. 10, 2005 as a rookie with the Rangers.

* Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves, including 12 in the second period, and allowed only one goal for the eighth time this postseason (13 GP), improving to 7-1 in those contests. He has won each of his last four outings and leads all remaining goaltenders with a 1.56 goals-against average and .945 save percentage in the playoffs.

* Overall, Lundqvist has allowed one or fewer goals in 20 of 31 career playoff victoriesat Madison Square Garden (1.27 GAA, .954 SV%, 5 SO). That includes 10 of 13 playoff home wins over the last two years.

* Lundqvist also improved to 6-1 with a 1.14 goals-against average and .951 save percentage in seven career Game 1s at Madison Square Garden (all since 2012 CQF vs. OTT).

* Derek Stepan opened the scoring with his second goal in as many games, following his series-clinching tally at 11:24 of overtime in Game 7 of the Second Round vs. WSH. He has 2-3—5 on a four-game point streak and 4-5—9 overall this postseason.

* Stepan has 6-9—15 in 17 career regular season games against the Lightning, but Saturday marked the first time he scored a goal against the club since Feb. 28, 2013.

* The Rangers defeated the Lightning for the first time in 2014-15 (regular season and playoffs), snapping a four-game skid dating to Jan. 14, 2014 (NYR: 0-4-0). It also marked their first head-to-head victory against the Lightning at Madison Square Garden since Feb. 28, 2013 (0-3-0 since).

* The Rangers improved to 6-2 when scoring first this postseason. They owned the most wins (41) and third-best winning percentage (.820) in that scenario during the regular season.

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS
Derek Stepan scored the first goal of the Eastern Conference Final with 12.7 seconds left in the second period of Game 1, marking the third time this postseason that the Rangers scored in the final minute of a period – Rick Nash (19:54 of third period in Game 2 vs. PIT) and Chris Kreider (19:59 of first period in Game 6 at WSH).

* The Rangers have scored seven goals in either the opening or closing minute of a period in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including three such tallies in Game 6 of the Second Round at WSH.

NYR Goals Scored in Opening or Closing Minute of a Period, 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Derick Brassard: 0:28 of the first period in Game 1 vs. PIT on April 16
Rick Nash: 19:54 of the third period in Game 2 vs. PIT on April 18
Chris Kreider: 0:38 of the first period in Game 2 vs. WSH on May 2
Chris Kreider: 0:40 of the first period in Game 6 at WSH on May 10
Chris Kreider: 19:59 of the first period in Game 6 at WSH on May 10
Rick Nash: 0:54 of the third period in Game 6 at WSH on May 10
Derek Stepan: 19:47 of the second period in Game 1 vs. TBL on May 16

NARROW MARGINS
All 13 games the Rangers have contested this postseason have been decided by one goal. They have played 15 straight such games dating to last year (since Game 4 of the F vs. LAK), the longest such streak in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.

LOOSE PUCKS
The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in 11 of 13 playoff games this year, including 10 of their last 11 outings . . . Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop suffered his first career loss to the Rangers (8-1-0, regular season and playoffs) . . . Ondrej Palatscored Tampa Bay's lone goal, his third in the last four games. He has 4-5—9 in 14 playoff games this year . . . Tyler Johnson (8-5—13) notched one assist to move into a share of second place in playoff scoring (tied w/ Patrick Kane: 7-6—13) . . . Ryan Callahan recorded two hits, one blocked shot and 14:46 TOI in his return to the Lightning lineup after missing Game 6 of the team’s Second Round series . . . ICYMI:The Stanley Cup was at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Calif., in conjunction with the opening of a new exhibit, “Peanuts in the Penalty Box.”

the above information was provided by the NHL PR department