LIGHTNING RALLY FOR (ANOTHER) COMEBACK OT VICTORY
Nikita Kucherov notched the tying goal in the third period – for the second straight game – and Jason Garrisonscored at 1:34 of overtime to rally the Lightning to a 3-1 series lead against the Islanders.
* Elias notes that the Lightning – who scored three tying goals en route to their Game 3 victory – overcame a deficit of at least one goal to win consecutive playoff games for the fourth time in franchise history. The only other instance when both such victories came on the road was in the 2004 Conference Semifinals, when Tampa Bay rallied to win Games 3 and 4 at MTL.
* The Lightning improved to 13-7 in 20 all-time playoff overtime games, including a 2-0 mark this postseason and 10-3 record on the road. Via Elias, their .769 winning percentage in such games on the road is the highest in NHL history (minimum: 2 GP).
* Kucherov, who has scored in six of nine games this postseason, paces the NHL with eight goals during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. His 19 career postseason goals (all w/ TBL) rank third in franchise history:
Most Career Playoff Goals, Lightning History
33 – Martin St. Louis (63 GP)
24 – Vincent Lecavalier (63 GP)
19 – Nikita Kucherov (37 GP)
18 – Brad Richards (45 GP) and Tyler Johnson (39 GP)
* Garrison tallied his second career playoff game-winning goal and first in overtime (40 GP). He has two overtime strikes in 460 career regular-season appearances, including the decisive tally in the first 3-on-3 overtime game in NHL history (Oct. 8 vs. PHI).
OVERTIME TREND CONTINUES
The Lightning and Islanders played past regulation for the second straight contest, marking the fourth consecutive overtime game in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs and fifth in the past four days.
* All four Game 4s in the Second Round went past regulation, with seven of 16 total contests this round extending to at least one extra session.
* Overall, 14 of the 63 games played during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs have required overtime, with road teams holding an 8-6 advantage.
* The Lightning’s victory marked the shortest overtime game this postseason (1:34). Six of this year’s 14 overtime contests have been decided in the opening five minutes of the extra session.
* The Islanders fell to 3-2 in overtime games this postseason. Four of their first five playoff games at Barclays Center have gone past regulation (2-2).
3-1 SERIES HISTORY
Per Elias, teams that take a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs series hold an all-time series record of 261-28 (90.3%).
* The Lightning have won all three previous series in which they have led 3-1, including their only other playoff meeting with the Islanders (2004 CQF: 4-1 W). The others: the 2015 Second Round vs. MTL (4-2 W) and 2016 First Round vs. DET (4-1 W)
* The Islanders have come back from trailing 3-1 in a best-of-seven series twice in 13 all-time scenarios: the 1975 Quarterfinals vs. PIT and 1987 Patrick Division Semifinals vs. WSH.
BENN, HOLTBY, KANE VOTED LINDSAY AWARD FINALISTS
The National Hockey League Players’ Association announced that Stars forward Jamie Benn, Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby and Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane are the three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, presented to the “Most Outstanding Player” in the NHL, as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.
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The NHL will announce the three finalists for the Hart Trophy prior to today’s games.
LOOSE PUCKS
Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop (27 SV) registered his 20th career playoff win (all w/ TBL) to move within one of tying Nikolai Khabibulin (21) for the most in franchise history . . . The Jets announced that they will donate $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross, becoming the latest member of the hockey community to support relief efforts in Fort McMurray, Alta. . . . NHL LiveWire: Stars captain Jamie Benn was mic’d up for his team’s overtime win in Game 4 against the Blues . . . ICYMI: Benn and country singerShaniaTwainchatted on Twitter after the team played her music in the locker room ahead of Thursday’s victory . . . The NHL announced the start times for Second Round games on Monday and Tuesday/Wednesday.
SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
St. Louis @ Dallas, 1:00 p.m., series tied 2-2, NBC, SN, TVAS
Pittsburgh @ Washington, 7:15 p.m., PIT leads 3-1, NBC, CBC, TVAS
Nashville @ San Jose, 10:00 p.m., series tied 2-2, NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
NBC Sports Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder
NHL Network Channel Finder
GAME 5 LOOMS LARGE IN 2-2 SERIES
Per Elias, when teams are tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs series, the winner of Game 5 holds an all-time series record of 190-53 (78.2%).
the above information was provided by the NHL PR department
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