* Since the conference format was adopted ahead of the 1981-82 season, teams that hold a 3-1 lead in the Conference Finals own a series record of 34-1 (.971).



* Khudobin improved to 7-1 when making at least 30 saves in a game this postseason. Only one other goaltender in 2020 has earned at least five wins in that scenario: Jacob Markstrom (5-3 w/ VAN).

* The Dallas netminder also eclipsed 500 saves in the 2020 postseason with his 32-save outing in Game 4 (527). His 527 saves are the third-most by a Stars/North Stars goaltender in a single playoff year, behind Ed Belfour (606 in 2000 and 574 in 1999).

* Benn has recorded a point on each of the Stars’ game-winning goals against the Golden Knights. Should he record a point on their series-clinching goal, he would become only the fourth player to do so on all four game-winning goals within a Conference Finals series. The others: Kings forward Wayne Gretzky (1993 vs TOR), Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque (1988 vs NJD) and Islanders forward Mike Bossy (1983 vs BOS).

* Pavelski’s tally marked his 57th career playoff goal. Among players drafted in the 7th round or later, only Doug Gilmour (60 in 182 GP) and Luc Robitaille (58 in 159 GP) have more. Additionally, only Joe Mullen (60) and Mike Modano (58) have more among U.S.-born players in NHL history.

QUICK CLICKS

* Lou Lamoriello of Islanders named General Manager of Year

* Joel Edmundson traded to Canadiens by Hurricanes for draft pick

* Lightning turn page after loss, focus on Game 4 against Islanders

* Eastern Final coaches learned life lessons at same Canadian prep school

* Top NHL unrestricted free agents, can sign starting Oct. 9

ISLANDERS, LIGHTNING READY FOR PIVOTAL GAME 4
The Islanders look for their second win in as many games when the puck drops for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final today. Meanwhile, the Lightning have their sights set on a commanding 3-1 series and moving within one win of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.



* Since the conference format was adopted ahead of the 1981-82 season, teams that hold a 3-1 lead in the Conference Finals own a series record of 34-1 (.971). When the Conference Finals is tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 holds a series record of 20-8.

* Lou Lamoriello is no stranger to series deficits in the Conference Finals. He guided New Jersey to a 5-2 series record in the Conference Finals as general manager of the team from Sept. 10, 1987 – May 4, 2015, including wins in each of its last five appearances. The Devils overcame a series deficit in three of their five Conference Finals wins with Lamoriello at the helm, rallying from 3-1 to defeat the Flyers in 2000, 1-0 to defeat the Senators in 2003 as well as 1-0 and 2-1 to defeat the Rangers in 2012.

* Should the Islanders rally and defeat the Lightning, New York can become the ninth team in NHL history – and fourth in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) – to overcome a multi-game deficit to win a Conference Finals/Semifinals series. The previous two instances – the Devils (2000) and Penguins (1991) – each went on to win the Stanley Cup.

* Without captain Steven Stamkos throughout the duration of the 2020 postseason, Nikita Kucherov (6-17—23 in 16 GP) co-leads the Lightning in scoring. Kucherov, with points in three straight games and 4-13—17 over his last 10 contests, trails only two players for the most in a single playoff year by a Lightning player. Only Brad Richards (12-14—26) and Martin St. Louis (9-15—24) recorded more, both doing so in 2004 en route to capturing the franchise’s first and only Stanley

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.Cup.