Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

05/24/2015 at 10:44am EDT

SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
CHICAGO 5, Anaheim 4 (2OT) – series tied 2-2

BLACKHAWKS OUTLAST DUCKS, EVEN SERIES IN DOUBLE OVERTIME
Tied 1-1 after 40 minutes, the Blackhawks and Ducks each scored three times in a frenetic third period to set the stage for Antoine Vermette’s game-winning goal at 5:37 of double-overtime. With the victory, Chicago remained perfect in overtime during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs (4-0) and evened their Western Conference Final series with Anaheim at two games apiece.



* The Blackhawks improved to 4-0 in overtime games during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, all of which have required at least two overtime periods. In addition to Game 4, the others included April 15 at NSH (4-3 2OT W in Game 1 of FR), April 21 vs. NSH (3-2 3OT W in Game 4 of FR) and May 19 at ANA (3-2 3OT W in Game 2 of WCF).

* According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Blackhawks became the first team in NHL history to win four games in a single postseason that required at least two overtime periods. In fact, they are just the second team in NHL history to play four such games in a single playoff year. The New Jersey Devils (1-3) also played four multi-overtime games in 1994.

* The Blackhawks improved to 8-1 in one-goal games during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* Vermette, who was acquired by Chicago before the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline and did not play in Game 3, recorded his second career game-winning goal in the playoffs (also April 25, 2006 at TBL w/ OTT) and first in overtime. He has 11-10—21 in 69 career postseason outings, including 2-1—3 this year (11 GP).

* “It's a huge testament to the guy sitting next to me [Vermette] and some other individuals in our locker room that are putting their own ego, their own wants and needs aside, and are ready for those opportunities when they do come.” – Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.

* Toews (1-1—2) scored his fifth goal and added an assist to record his fifth multi-point game of the playoffs. He has recorded 5-9—14 in 14 games this postseason.

* Patrick Kane tied the game 4-4 at 12:39 of the third period to set up overtime. He leads the Blackhawks in goals (9) and points (15) this postseason. With 46 career playoff goals, Kane passed Steve Larmer for sole possession of fourth on the franchise’s all-time list. The only players with more: Bobby Hull (62), Denis Savard(61) and Stan Mikita (59).

* Brandon Saad (1-2—3) matched his career-high for points in a playoff game (also May 28, 2014 vs. LAK) and showcased his speed to open the scoring with a highlight reel shorthanded goal with 47 seconds remaining in the opening frame.

* Corey Crawford made 47 saves to improve to 7-3 in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. He has a 6-0 record when facing 30 or more shots this postseason.

QUICK STRIKE DUCKS
Trailing 3-1 in the third period, the Ducks scored three times in 37 seconds on goals byRyan Kesler, Matt Beleskey and Corey Perry to take a 4-3 lead before eventually falling to Chicago in overtime.

* Elias says Anaheim’s three goals in 37 seconds were the second fastest three-goal spurt by an NHL team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history. The Toronto Maple Leafs scored three goals in 23 seconds on April 12, 1979 against the Atlanta Flames. Coincidentally, current Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville collected a secondary assist on Toronto’s third goal of that set.

* Elias adds that prior to Anaheim, the quickest span in which an NHL team went from trailing by two goals to leading in a playoff game was 1:24 by the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of their 1979 Semifinal series versus Boston.

LOOSE PUCKS
The club that has scored first has won each game of the Ducks/Blackhawks series. Overall, the Blackhawks (7-1) and Ducks (6-0) are a combined 13-1 when registering the first goal this postseason...Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook scored his fourth goal of the postseason, matching his career-high for goals in a single-playoff year from 2010 (22 GP)… Blackhawks forward Brad Richards (0-1—1) extended his point streak to four games (1-3—4)…Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (0-1—1) leads all blueliners in postseason assists and points (2-10—12)… Anaheim forward Corey Perry scored his team-leading ninth goal of the postseason, eclipsing his previous career-high of eight set in 2009 (13 GP). Elias notes that Perry is one goal shy of equaling the Ducks franchise record for goals in a single postseason, set by Andy McDonald in 2007 (10 in 21 GP)… Anaheim forward Ryan Getzlaf (0-1—1) paces the NHL with 15 assists this postseason (13 GP) and established a new franchise record for assists in a playoff year, breaking his previous mark of 14 set in 2009 (13 GP)... Both Getzlaf (2-15—17) and Perry (9-8—17) are a point shy of equaling the Ducks’ single-postseason playoff record, set by Getzlaf in 2009 (4-14—18 in 13 GP)... Anaheim defenseman Francois Beauchemin registered his seventh assist of the postseason and 27th of his playoff career (all w/ ANA), passing Scott Niedermayer for sole possession of the franchise’s all-time lead among defensemen. Beauchemin is also the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff points among blueliners with 10-27—37...Anaheim goaltender Frederik Andersen made 35 saves, but fell to 10-3 in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. All three of his losses have been in overtime...Former Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who had his number retired at a baseball game earlier in the day, was in attendance at United Center to show his support for the Blackhawks… ICYMI: Click here to watch Blackhawks and Ducks fans react to Chicago’s Game 4 victory.

SNEAK PEEK AT SUNDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Tampa Bay @ NY Rangers, series tied 2-2, 8:00 p.m., CBC, TVA, NBCSN

the above information was provided by the NHL PR department

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