Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

05/23/2015 at 10:37am EDT

FRIDAY’S RESULT
Home Team in Caps
NY Rangers 5, TAMPA BAY 1 – series tied 2-2

NASH HELPS RANGERS EVEN EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
Rick Nash registered 2-1—3, his first career multi-goal and three-point playoff performances, to help the Rangers even the Eastern Conference Final at two games apiece.


* The Rangers scored five goals for the second consecutive game (6-5 OT L in Game 3 at TBL). It marks the first time they have recorded five or more goals in consecutive playoff outings since Games 4 (5-3 W) and 5 (5-3 W) of the 2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. NJD. It also marks the first time they have posted five or more goals in consecutive road postseason contests since Games 3 (5-1 W) and 4 (5-2 W) of the 1994 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at NYI.

* The Rangers last registered five or more goals in consecutive games during the regular season from Feb. 10-16, when they notched four straight such performances in road wins at TOR (5-4 W), COL (6-3 W), ARI (5-1 W) and NYI (6-5 W). That tied an NHL record for consecutive victories in one season, all on the road, when scoring at least five goals in each contest.

* Nash, who ranked third in the NHL with a career-high 42 goals during the regular season (79 GP), doubled his playoff goal total (4-6—10 in 16 GP). He has 9-19—28 in his postseason career (57 GP).

* Henrik Lundqvist made 38 saves, including 31 after the opening period. He improved to 20-12 in his last 32 playoff games following a Rangers loss (1.87 GAA, .935 SV% and 4 SO dating to 2012).

* Overall, Lundqvist improved to 10-6 this postseason (2.05 GAA, .930 SV%). He became the first goaltender in Rangers history to reach the 10-win milestone in three playoff seasons (also 2012: 10-10 and 2014: 13-11). Only two other Rangers goaltenders have achieved that feat once: John Davidson (1979: 11-7) and Mike Richter (1994: 16-7).

* Tied at 1-1 late in the second period, the Rangers scored four unanswered goals – including a pair by Chris Kreider and Keith Yandle 1:48 apart.

* Kreider notched his team-leading seventh goal of the playoffs (16 GP). It also stood as the winning marker, his second this year (also Game 3 of FR at PIT) and the sixth of his postseason career (57 GP). Per Elias, Kreider’s six career playoff game-winning goals are tied for second in Rangers history (w/ Frank Boucher, Bill Cook and Brian Leetch) and are one behind Mark Messier for the most all-time.

* Yandle registered 1-2—3, including his first postseason goal since May 22, 2012 vs. LAK (w/ PHX). He also equaled a career high for points in a playoff game, established on April 16, 2011 at DET (w/ PHX: 0-3—3). Yandle is tied for third among defensemen with 1-8—9 this postseason (16 GP).

* Martin St. Louis snapped an 18-game drought (regular season and playoffs) with his first goal since April 6 vs. CBJ. He has 42-48—90 in 104 career postseason games, including 1-6—7 this year (16 GP).

* Kevin Hayes (16 GP) and Kevin Klein (64 GP) both collected two assists, a first in their playoff careers. Derick Brassard, who was mic’d up for St. Louis’ goal, posted one assist; he ranks second on the team with 6-5—11 this postseason (16 GP).

* The Rangers went 2-for-4 on the power play, their third straight game with two power-play goals (6-for-13, 46.2%). They last scored multiple power-play goals in three consecutive postseason contests in Games 5-7 of the 1992 Patrick Division Semifinals vs. NJD.

* The Rangers improved to 42-0-1 this season (regular season and playoffs) when leading after two periods, including a 6-0 record during the postseason.

* ICYMI: Nash received the team’s Broadway Hat following the Game 4 victory.

NHL ANNOUNCES GM OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
The NHL announced that Bob Murray of the Ducks, Glen Sather of the Rangers andSteve Yzerman of the Lightning are the three finalists for the 2014-15 NHL General Manager of the Year Award.

Voting for this award was conducted among the 30 club general managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media at the conclusion of the Second Round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 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.

LOOSE PUCKS
The Rangers earned their first win of the postseason by more than one goal (10-6 overall) . . . The Rangers have allowed two or fewer goals in 22 of their past 23 playoff wins dating Game 1 of the 2014 First Round vs. PHI . . . Lightning captain Steven Stamkos scored for the third consecutive game (3-2—5), a first in his postseason career (39 GP). Elias notes that he became the first Lightning player to record a goal in three straight playoff games since Sean Bergenheim did so from May 3-14, 2011 (4-0—4 in 3 GP) . . . Stamkos is tied for fifth in the NHL with 6-9—15 this postseason (17 GP), including 6-6—12 in his past nine outings . . . Lightning forward Alex Killorncollected one assist to extend his point streak to three games (3-3—6) . . . Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault earned his 60th career playoff win to move into sole possession of 16th place in NHL history (60-59) . . . Lightning defenseman Mark Barberio played in his third career postseason game and first this year . . . ICYMI: Click here for an all-access look at Game 3 between the Ducks and Blackhawks.

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Anaheim @ Chicago, ANA leads series 2-1, 8:00 p.m., NBC, CBC, TVA
NBC Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder

BLACKHAWKS TRY TO KNOT UP WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
The Blackhawks also will try to even up the Western Conference Final when they play host to the Ducks at United Center. Chicago has yet to suffer consecutive losses this postseason, responding with a win in all three prior instances (including Game 2 of this series). Anaheim, meanwhile, is 5-1-0 in its last six visits to United Center dating to Feb. 12, 2013 (regular season and playoffs). The club that has scored first has won each game of this series. Overall, the Ducks (6-0) and Blackhawks (6-1) are a combined 12-1 when registering the first goal this postseason.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.

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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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