KARLSSON NETS OVERTIME WINNER TO CAP SHARKS COMEBACK
San Jose erased a two-goal deficit and Melker Karlsson scored at 3:22 of overtime to help the defending Western Conference champion Sharks rally past the Oilers in the opener of their First Round series.

* Karlsson, who has one overtime goal in 185 career regular-season games, registered his first such tally in the playoffs (25 GP). He collected 5-3—8, including one game-winning goal, during San Jose’s run to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.

* Elias notes that Game 1 marked the eighth time in franchise playoff history that the Sharks overcame a multi-goal deficit to win a game.

* There were 20 overtime games in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including five that involved the Sharks (1-4).

FLEURY LEADS PENGUINS IN SURPRISE GAME 1 START
Named as the starting goaltender just before puck drop, Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 31 shots – including all 16 he faced in the first period – to help the Penguins begin their pursuit of a second straight Stanley Cup with a Game 1 victory over the Blue Jackets. Fleury took the crease after Matt Murray, the previously announced starter, was injured in warmup, marking the second time in as many years that Pittsburgh announced a surprise starter for their opening game.

* Fleury picked up his 54th career postseason win (101 GP) to move within two of tying Tom Barrasso (56-42 in 101 GP) for the most in franchise history.

* Phil Kessel (1-1—2), who led the Penguins in goals (10) and points (22) during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, tallied the game-winning goal.

ROAD CLUBS JUMP OUT TO 1-0 SERIES LEADS
Four of the first five games in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs were won by visiting teams, including victories by the Rangers and Bruins:

* Brad Marchand scored the go-ahead goal with 2:33 remaining in regulation to help the Bruins overcome a third-period deficit and win Game 1 against the Senators. Marchand, who tallied career highs in all three scoring categories in 2016-17 (39-46—85), scored his 17th career postseason goal and third playoff game-winner. He scored 11 of those goals as a rookie in 2011 to help Boston win the Stanley Cup.

* Henrik Lundqvist denied all 31 shots he faced – including 16 in the first period – to backstop the Rangers to a Game 1 win in Montreal. Lundqvist recorded his 10th career playoff shutout (117 GP) to surpass Mike Richter (9 in 76 GP) for first place on the Rangers’ all-time list. He improved to 3-0 in four career postseason games at Bell Centre (2.01 GAA, .938 SV%, 1 SO), compared to a 4-8-2 record in 15 career regular-season appearances at the building (3.87 GAA, .877 SV%).

* Game 1 marked just the fifth Rangers shutout in 68 all-time postseason meetings against the Canadiens and second recorded in Montreal.

DIFFERENT ROADS TO THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Two defensemen at different stages of their careers made their Stanley Cup Playoffs debut on Wednesday:

* Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, 19, logged 24:11 TOI in his NHL debut, second among all skaters in OTT-BOS behind Zdeno Chara (25:32 TOI), a veteran of 19 NHL seasons. McAvoy, the 14th overall selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, signed his entry-level contract on Monday after playing the 2016-17 season with Boston University.

* Penguins defenseman RonHainsey made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut after 907 career regular-season games (the most in NHL history before a postseason appearance).

FANS TO PICK NHL'S GREATEST STANLEY CUP TEAM
As part of its Centennial celebration, the NHL announced that during the six-week period from April 13 – May 25, fans will have the opportunity to select the NHL’s Greatest Stanley Cup Team of all-time through a unique, interactive digital and mobile program. The Greatest NHL Teams features all of the NHL’s 96 Stanley Cup winners since the League’s inaugural season in 1917-18 competing head-to-head, with fans determining the outcome.

Click here for more information.

LOOSE PUCKS
Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (125 GP) collected his 82nd and 83rd career postseason assists to surpass Jaromir Jagr (82 in 140 GP) for third place in franchise playoff history . . . Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who registered points in each of his last 14 games in 2016-17, notched an assist in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut . . . Rangers forward Tanner Glass (GWG), who played in only 11 games during the regular season, scored his second career playoff goal (61 GP) . . . Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosbytopped the list of best-selling player jerseys for 2016-17 . . . ICYMI: The Empire State Building lit up for all 16 playoff teams to mark the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Toronto @ Washington, Game 1, 7 p.m., CBC, TVAS, USA, CSN-DC
Nashville @ Chicago, Game 1, 8 p.m., SN, TVAS2, NBCSN, CSN-CH, FS-TN
Calgary @ Anaheim, Game 1, 10:30 p.m., CBC, TVAS, NBCSN, PRIME
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CAPITALS BEGIN STANLEY CUP QUEST AGAINST MAPLE LEAFS
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Capitals begin their quest for the first Stanley Cup in franchise history when they host the Maple Leafs at Verizon Center for Game 1 of their opening round series. This marks the first playoff meeting between Washington and Toronto, who each ranked in the top five in total offense during the 2016-17 regular season (WSH: 263 GF; TOR: 251 GF). Washington owns a 10-2-1 edge in its last 13 meetings with Toronto dating to April 16, 2013 (TOR: 3-8-2), including a 7-0-0 record at Verizon Center.

BLACKHAWKS, PREDATORS SET TO RENEW CENTRAL DIVISION RIVALRY
The Blackhawks embark on a pursuit of their fourth Stanley Cup in the past eight seasons when they host the Predators at United Center in a battle between Central Division rivals. This marks the third all-time playoff meeting between Chicago and Nashville, with the Blackhawks winning each of the previous series en route to Stanley Cup championships in 2010 and 2015. Chicago posted four straight wins against Nashville to claim the season series with a 4-1-0 record (NSH: 1-4-0).

DUCKS LOOK TO CONTINUE HOME DOMINANCE OF FLAMES
The Ducks and Flames square off at Honda Center in their third all-time postseason meeting, following series wins by Anaheim in the 2006 CQF (4-3 W) and 2015 SR (4-1 W). Since suffering a 5-2 defeat against the Flames in Game 3 of their 2006 playoff series, the Ducks have won 27 consecutive home games against Calgary, including 25 straight during the regular season – the longest such run against one opponent in NHL history.

the information above was supplied by the NHL PR department