Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

04/13/2014 at 11:45am EDT

KREJCI, BRUINS WRAP UP PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY
David Krejci (2-0—2) recorded his second multi-goal game of the season, including the winner, to help the Bruins (54-18-9, 117 points) clinch their second Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history.

* The Bruins last won the Presidents’ Trophy in 1989-90 (46-25-9, 101 points). They also finished first overall in the NHL standings 10 times prior to the introduction of the award for the 1985-86 season.

* The Bruins recorded their 54th victory of the season, matching the second-highest total in team history (1971-72: 54-13-11). Their 117 points are the third-most in franchise history, behind the 1970-71 (121 points) and 1971-72 (119) squads.

* The Bruins closed their home schedule with a 31-7-3 record, the second-most such victories in one season. Only the 1970-71 and 1973-74 teams had more wins at home (33-4-2 in both campaigns).

* Krejci matched a career high with his sixth game-winning goal of the season (also 2008-09). He leads the Bruins with 19-50—69 this season, including 3-3—6 during a four-game point streak.

* Patrice Bergeron reached the 30-goal milestone for the second time in his career and first time since 2005-06 (31). He is the second Bruins player to record 30 goals this season (Jarome Iginla: 30), marking the first time since 2002-03 that the team has had multiple 30-goal scorers. Glen Murray led the 2002-03 Bruins with 44 goals, while Joe Thornton (36) and Mike Knuble (30) also eclipsed the mark.

* The Bruins improved to 41-6-2 when scoring first, tying the Blues (41-3-5) for the most such wins this season.

SMITH-PELLY LEADS DUCKS TO TOP SEED IN WEST
Devante Smith-Pelly scored in regulation and the shootout to help the Ducks lock up the top seed in the Western Conference for the first time in franchise history and a first-round matchup with the Stars.

* The Ducks improved to 53-20-8, extending their team records for wins (53; previously, 48 in 2006-07), points (114; previously, 110 in 2006-07) and points percentage (.703; previously, .688 in 2012-13) in one season.

* The Ducks also closed their road schedule with a 25-12-4 record, setting club marks in road wins (25; previously, 22 in 2006-07 and 2008-09), road points (54; previously, 49 in 2006-07) and road goals (123; previously, 115 in 2008-09) in one season.

* The Ducks recorded their 25th comeback victory of the season, the most by any team since the 2010-11 Capitals (25).

* Frederik Andersen made 27 saves and denied all four shootout attempts he faced to improve to 20-5-0 with a 2.29 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 28 appearances this season.

FLYERS EDGE PENGUINS, SECURE NO. 3 SEED IN METROPOLITAN . . .
Mark Streit scored the game-winning goal 2:10 into overtime to help the Flyers secure the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division and a first-round matchup with the Rangers. Claude Giroux gave Philadelphia a 3-2 lead at 18:45 of the third period, but Kris Letang knotted the score with 36.8 seconds remaining regulation.

* Streit (1-1—2) recorded his 11th career game-winning goal and third in overtime. He also extended his point streak to five games (1-7—8).

* Giroux (1-2—3) posted his seventh three-point game of the season, including his sixth since Jan. 28. He also tied a career high with his 28th goal, originally established in 2011-12.

* Jakub Voracek (2-1—3) registered his 11th career multi-goal game and fifth of the season. He now has 23 goals, eclipsing his career high of 22 set last season.

* Steve Mason played in his 300th NHL game, but left after the second period due to injury.

* The Flyers closed their five-game season series against the rival Penguins with a 4-1-0 record, including four consecutive victories for the first time since Nov. 7, 2007-Jan. 4, 2008. They also improved to 9-2-0 in 11 all-time visits to CONSOL Energy Center.

. . . JOHANSEN, BLUE JACKETS LOCK UP FIRST WILD CARD IN EAST
Ryan Johansen scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period to help the Blue Jackets lock up the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup with the Penguins.

* The Blue Jackets finished the season with a 43-32-7 record, establishing franchise bests in wins (43), points (93), road wins (21) and goals (231).

* Johansen registered his team-leading 33rd goal of the season, the most by a Blue Jackets player since 2009-10 (Rick Nash: 33). He also closed the season on a six-game point streak (3-5—8).

* Sergei Bobrovsky made 33 saves to improve to 5-1-1 with a 1.43 goals-against average, .952 save percentage and two shutouts in his last seven games. He went 32-20-5 in 58 total appearances in 2013-14, becoming the second goaltender in franchise history to reach 30 wins (Steve Mason: 33-20-7 in 2008-09).

* Brandon Dubinsky (16-34—50) assisted on the opening goal to reach the 50-point mark for the second time in his NHL career and first time since 2010-11 (24-30—54).

* The Blue Jackets won their eighth consecutive game against the Panthers, improving to 11-4-0 in their 15 all-time meetings, including a 5-2-0 mark in Sunrise. Their last loss at BB&T Center was Jan. 3, 2004.

GIONTA’S OT PENALTY SHOT HELPS CANADIENS REGAIN HOME ICE
Brian Gionta scored on a penalty shot at 2:04 of overtime to help the Canadiens (46-28-8, 100 points) snap a two-game skid and leapfrog the idle Lightning (45-27-9, 99 points) for the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division.

* According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marked the first 1-0 game decided on an overtime penalty shot in NHL history. It also marked the first overtime penalty-shot goal to decide any game since March 2, 2011, when Bobby Ryan lifted the Ducks to a 2-1 victory over the Red Wings, and the first time the Canadiens have ever won a game on an overtime penalty shot.

* Carey Price made 41 saves for his 25th career shutout and sixth of the season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the first Canadiens goaltender to face 40 or more shots on goal in a 1-0 win since Nov. 28, 1959, when Jacques Plante made 42 saves in a victory over the Red Wings.

PAVELSKI REACHES 40 GOALS
Joe Pavelski (2-0—2) posted his ninth multi-goal game of the season to reach the 40-goal mark for the first time in his career and power the Sharks to their second consecutive win.

* The Sharks (51-22-9) finished the season with 111 points, the third-most in franchise history. Their 51 wins also equaled the second-most in team history, two shy of the club record (2008-09: 53-18-11).

* Pavelski (41-38—79) became the fourth player in Sharks history to score 40 goals in one season, following Jonathan Cheechoo (56 in 2005-06), Owen Nolan (44 in 1999-00) and Patrick Marleau (44 in 2009-10). He also is the third NHLer to reach that milestone this season, joining Alex Ovechkin (51) and Corey Perry (43).

* Pavelski became the 21st U.S.-born player in NHL history to score 40 goals in one season and the first to do so since Ryan Kesler in 2010-11 (41).

PREDATORS, BLACKHAWKS COMBINE FOR 12 GOALS
The Predators and Blackhawks combined for 12 goals, including seven in the third period and four in the final 2:55 of regulation. Tied at 5-5, Patric Hornqvist and Shea Weber both scored in the last minute to help Nashville extend its point streak to six games (5-0-1) and close its home schedule with four consecutive victories at Bridgestone Arena.

* The Predators recorded six-plus goals for the sixth time this season, including three such performances since March 21.

* Hornqvist, Weber and Craig Smith all scored their 22nd goals of the season, keeping pace with each other for the team lead.

* Hornqvist (1-1—2) now has 9-8—17 in his last 10 games, the most of any NHL player since March 21. He set a career high with his 52nd point of the season, surpassing his previous best established in 2009-10 (30-21—51).

* Weber (1-1—2) also set a career high with his team-leading 55th point of the season. His previous best came in 2008-09, when he posted 23-30—53.

* Mike Fisher collected three assists and now has 3-10—13 in his last 11 games.

* Matt Cullen (1-1—2) recorded his 600th NHL point.

LOOSE PUCKS
The Kings (46-28-8) reached the 100-point mark for the fourth time in team history and first time since 2009-10 . . . Senators goaltender Craig Anderson made 28 saves for his 26th career shutout and second of the season . . . Oilers forward Taylor Hall collected three assists to reach the 80-point mark for the first time in his career (27-53—80) . . . Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa reached the 30-goal mark for the eighth time in his career . . . Penguins forward Jussi Jokinen reached the 20-goal mark for the second time in his career, while Sabres forward Cody Hodgson and Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw achieved the milestone for the first time in their careers . . . Dan Bylsma coached his 400th game behind the Penguins’ bench . . . Blackhawks forward Matt Carey scored his first career goal . . . Coyotes goaltender Mark Visentin made his NHL debut . . . Connor Knapp made his League debut in relief of Matt Hackett, becoming the sixth goaltender to man the pipes for the Sabres this season . . . Maple Leafs defenseman Petter Granberg made his NHL debut.

SUNDAY’S CLINCHING SCENARIOS
* The Lightning would clinch the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage in a first-round series against Montreal if they defeat the Capitals in any fashion.

* The Canadiens (idle) would clinch the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage in a first-round series against Tampa Bay if the Lightning lose to the Capitals in any fashion.

* The Avalanche would clinch the Central Division title and a first-round matchup against the Wild if they defeat the Ducks in any fashion OR if they get one point against the Ducks and the Blues lose to the Red Wings in any fashion OR if the Blues lose to the Red Wings in regulation.

* The Blues would clinch the Central Division title and a first-round matchup against the Wild if they defeat the Red Wings in any fashion AND the Avalanche lose to the Ducks in any fashion OR if they get one point against the Red Wings AND the Avalanche lose to the Ducks in regulation.

FOUR TEAMS LOCK SPOTS, BRUINS CLINCH PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY
* By virtue of their win, the Flyers clinched the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division and a first-round matchup against the Rangers.

* By virtue of their win, the Blue Jackets clinched the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup against the Penguins.

* By virtue of wins by the Flyers and Blue Jackets, the Red Wings clinched the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup against the Bruins.

* By virtue of their win, the Ducks clinched the top record in the Western Conference and a first-round matchup against the Stars.

* By virtue of their win, the Bruins clinched the Presidents’ Trophy for the second time in franchise history and home-ice advantage throughout the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Bruins will face the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1957, ending the second-longest postseason drought among Original Six teams – the Rangers and Red Wings haven’t played each other since the 1950 Stanley Cup Final.

The Bruins will now have faced every Original Six team in the playoffs in the past three years:

2014: Detroit (1st Round)
2013: Chicago (F), NY Rangers (CSF), Toronto (CQF)
2011: Montreal (CQF)

A LOOK AT THE PLAYOFF SEEDING
Entering the final day of the regular season, there still are two playoff positions in each conference to be determined. Teams in bold are locked into their spots:

Eastern Conference:
Atlantic 1: Boston
Atlantic 2: Montreal or Tampa Bay
Atlantic 3: Montreal or Tampa Bay
Metropolitan 1: Pittsburgh
Metropolitan 2: NY Rangers
Metropolitan 3: Philadelphia
Wild Card 1: Columbus
Wild Card 2: Detroit

Western Conference:
Central 1: St. Louis or Colorado
Central 2: St. Louis or Colorado
Central 3: Chicago
Pacific 1: Anaheim
Pacific 2: San Jose
Pacific 3: Los Angeles
Wild Card 1: Minnesota
Wild Card 2: Dallas

FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS
Six of the eight first-round matchups for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs are locked. Home ice also is still to be determined in the series between the Canadiens and Lightning.

Eastern Conference:
(1) Boston vs. (WC2) Detroit
(2) Montreal vs. (3) Tampa Bay*

(1) Pittsburgh vs. (WC1) Columbus
(2) NY Rangers vs. (3) Philadelphia

Western Conference:
(1) Colorado/St. Louis vs. (WC1) Minnesota
(2) Colorado/St. Louis vs. (3) Chicago

(1) Anaheim vs. (WC2) Dallas
(2) San Jose vs. (3) Los Angeles

* Home-ice advantage to be determined

SNEAK PEEK AT SUNDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Detroit @ St. Louis, 12:30 p.m., NBC, TSN
Boston @ New Jersey, 3:00 p.m., NESN, MSG
Carolina @ Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m., SPSO, CSN-PH
Tampa Bay @ Washington, 3:00 p.m., FS-F, CSN-DC
NY Islanders @ Buffalo, 5:00 p.m., MSG PLUS, MSG-B, BELL TV
Ottawa @ Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., TSN, TVA, ROOT
Nashville @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., FS-TN, FS-N
Colorado @ Anaheim, 8:00 p.m., ALT, PRIME
Calgary @ Vancouver, 9:00 p.m., SNET-W, SNET-CGY, SNET-P
Dallas @ Phoenix, 9:00 p.m., NBCSN, TSN (JIP), FS-SW, FS-A

AVALANCHE, BLUES VIE FOR CENTRAL DIVISION CROWN
The Avalanche (52-22-7, 111 points) and Blues (52-22-7, 111 points) will both try to cap the 2013-14 season with the Central Division crown. Tied in points, the Avalanche currently sit in first place by virtue of the ROW tiebreaker (COL: 47, STL: 43) and will lock up the division with a win in any fashion against the Ducks. The Blues, however, are playing nearly eight hours before Colorado and could put the pressure on the Avalanche with at least one point versus the Red Wings. The winner of the division will face the Wild in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the second-place team will take on the Blackhawks.

LIGHTNING LOOK TO CLINCH HOME ICE IN FIRST ROUND
The Lightning (45-27-9, 99 points) will try to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs when they visit the Capitals at Verizon Center. Currently one point behind the idle Canadiens (46-28-8, 100 points), the Lightning will wrap up the No. 2 seed with a win in any fashion; a loss of any variety and they will remain in third place. Tampa Bay has won three consecutive games overall, but has lost six straight in Washington dating to Oct. 10, 2011.

SELANNE SET TO APPEAR IN FINAL REGULAR-SEASON GAME
Teemu Selanne is expected to appear in his final regular-season game when the Ducks (53-20-8, 114 points) play host to the Avalanche (52-22-7, 111 points) at Honda Center. Selanne has played in 1,450 games over the last 21-plus years, ranking 11th in NHL history with 684 goals and 15th with 1,457 points. He also is the Ducks franchise leader in goals (457), assists (531), points (988) and games played (965). Although he did not play Saturday, the Kings congratulated Selanne with a specially-designed paddleboard in honor of his illustrious career.

The information above was provided by the NHL PR department

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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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