Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Just The Facts

06/16/2013 at 1:17pm EDT

Thanks to the NHL PR department for this information...

SCORE FIRST, LOSE
The team that has scored first has lost each of the opening two games of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. In the 2012 (Los Angeles-New Jersey, six games) and 2011 Final (Boston-Vancouver, seven games), the team that scored first won every game. This marks the first Stanley Cup Final with more than one victory by a team that did not score first since 2007, when three of the five games between Anaheim and Ottawa were won by the team that allowed the opening goal (two by the Ducks, one by the Senators). (Elias)

The Bruins have a League-high five wins this postseason when yielding the first goal (5-2). The only other team with a .500 or better record in that scenario is the Blackhawks, who are 4-3.

STANLEY CUP FINAL TRENDS
* This marks the first split in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final since 2004, when Calgary won the first game on the road and Tampa Bay came back to win Game 2. The Lightning eventually won that series in seven games.

* For the second consecutive year, Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final have been decided in extra time. Prior to 2012, it had been 61 years since the first two games of the Final required overtime. In the epic 1951 Stanley Cup Final, all five games between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens went to extra time. The Maple Leafs won four of the five games to capture the Stanley Cup.

* The Bruins snapped the Blackhawks’ six-game home winning streak in improving to 6-3 away from TD Garden during the 2013 playoffs. Boston is the only club with a winning road record this postseason and has outscored opponents, 29-18, away from home.

* The Bruins are 10-2 in their last 12 games (since Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals), with both losses coming in overtime. They have outscored opponents, 38-21, in that span.

* Boston’s victory broke a nine-game winning streak by home clubs in overtime games this postseason. Overall, home clubs are 19-7 (.731) in games decided in extra time.

* For the second time in as many games in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, the winning club did not lead at any point in the game.

WORKING OVERTIME
Game 2 of the Final marked the 26th overtime of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, tied for the second-most in one postseason.

Most Overtime Games, One Playoff Year
28 — 1993 (85 games)
26 — 2001 (86 games) and 2013 (82 games*)
* through Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final

KILLING TIME
The Bruins did not allow a power-play goal in three Blackhawk opportunities during Game 2 and have killed off 22 consecutive penalties dating to May 25 (Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. NY Rangers), including all six Chicago opportunities through the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. The Bruins improved their penalty-killing percentage in the 2013 playoffs to 87.9% (51-for-58), including an 89.3% mark on the road (25-for-28).

The Blackhawks successfully killed both Bruins power plays in Game 2 and still lead the League with a 93.7% penalty-kill rate during the postseason (59-for-63), including a 91.4% mark at home (32-for-35).

LOOSE PUCKS
Boston forward Tyler Seguin was mic’d up when the Bruins celebrated the game-winning goal . . . Chicago forward Patrick Sharp scored his ninth goal of the playoffs, tying him with Boston’s David Krejci for the League lead . . . Boston forward Milan Lucic recorded a game-high 10 hits and now leads the NHL in that category during the postseason (82) . . . The Bruins were outshot, 19-4, through the first period of play, but held a 24-15 shot advantage the rest of the way.

TWITTER ME THIS
Graham Rahal (‏@GrahamRahal)
This hockey game is awesome. Love playoff hockey, I’m not sure there is any sport to watch that’s as good. Always action.

Jack Welch (‏@jack_welch)
What a shot ,,Bruins in OT !!!!!!! Great move by Julian with that new line..figured in both goals

Kevin Smith (‏@ThatKevinSmith)
The @NHLBruins win in OT, making it an even series! @NHLBlackhawks head to Boston next week for Game 3 of the #StanleyCup Finals!

John Ondrasik (‏@johnondrasik)
Happy I’m not a #hawks or #bruins fan. #54F

Keegan Bradley ‏(@Keegan_Bradley)
Best national anthem in sports. Chicago Blackhawks. #getrowdy

Chris Stevenson ‏(@CJ_Stevenson)
The #bruins and #blackhawks have now played more than the equivalent of three games. This could be the first best of eight final.

Craig Custance ‏(@CraigCustance)
Jagr recommends those with bad hearts shouldn’t watch this series: “Old people don’t watch it because you might die just watching.”

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

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.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

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