LEHKONEN PUTS AVS INTO FINAL WITH OT GOAL TO END FRENZIED GAME 4

A six-goal third period in Edmonton saw Cale Makar (1-4—5) help the Avalanche erase a multi-goal deficit to take the lead with 5:13 remaining in regulation and Leon Draisaitl (0-4—4) and Connor McDavid (1-2—3) set up a Zach Kassian tying goal with less than four minutes to play to force overtime. The extra frame lasted only 79 seconds as Artturi Lehkonen (1-2—3) netted the ninth series-clinching overtime goal in Avalanche franchise history, putting the club into the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.

* Lehkonen became the second player in NHL history – and first in 83 years – to score an overtime goal to put his team into the Stanley Cup Final multiple times in his career (also Game 6 of 2021 SCSF w/ MTL). He put his name beside Gordie Drillon, who did so with the Maple Leafs in Game 3 of the 1938 Semifinals (a best-of-five series) and duplicated the achievement just over one year later in Game 3 of the 1939 Semifinals (a best-of-three series).

* Lehkonen became both the second Avalanche player to complete a sweep with an overtime goal, following Uwe Krupp in Game 4 of the 1996 Stanley Cup Final, and the second to put the team into the Final with an overtime goal, following Joe Sakic in Game 5 of the 2001 Western Conference Final.

* The Avalanche are no strangers to erasing a deficit when it matters most in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, posting comeback wins to advance in every round. Only six other teams in NHL history have overcome a deficit to win each of their first three series-clinching games of a single playoff year: Dallas (3 in 2020), Carolina (3 in 2006), Anaheim (3 in 2003), Montreal (3 in 1989 & 1971) and Boston (3 in 1970). Only the Stars and 1971 Canadiens also achieved all three contests on the road.

* Game 4 marked Colorado’s eighth comeback win this postseason. Only six teams in Stanley Cup Playoffs history have recorded more in a single playoff year: Pittsburgh (10 in 2009), Dallas (9 in 2020 & 1999), Carolina (9 in 2006), NY Islanders (9 in 1980) and Montreal (9 in 1971).

MAKAR MAKES HISTORY WITH FIVE POINTS IN CLINCHING GAME
Twenty-three-year-old Cale Makar made history Monday by putting up five points, an unprecedented performance by a defenseman in a potential series-clinching game and two points shy of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record for any skater in that situation. Makar also matched the franchise record for points by any player in any playoff game and set new Avalanche benchmarks for assists and points by a defenseman in one playoff year.

* Makar has recorded nine of his 22 total points this postseason in potential series-clinching games, equaling Brian Leetch (3-6—9 in 1994 w/ NYR: 7 GP) and Miro Heiskanen (3-6—9 in 2020 w/ DAL: 5 GP) for the most in a single season by a defenseman.

* Makar became the eighth different player in NHL history – and first in 35 years – to put his team into the Stanley Cup Final with a five-point showing. Makar (23 years, 219 days) is the second-youngest player to do so, following Maurice Richard (22 years, 239 days) in 1944 – the first of two such performances by the former NHL all-time goals leader.

McDAVID, DRAISAITL CONCLUDE A POSTSEASON TO REMEMBER
Connor McDavid (1-2—3) and Leon Draisaitl (0-4—4) added to their lengthy lists of notable performances this postseason and nearly helped the Oilers force a Game 5. The duo concluded the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a combined 65 points in 16 games (McDavid: 10-23—33; Draisaitl: 7-25—32) and became the ninth set of teammates in NHL history to each reach 30-plus points in the same postseason.

* McDavid collected multiple points in 12 of 16 contests this postseason and became just the fifth different player in NHL history to record as many in a single playoff year. The others: Wayne Gretzky (14 GP in 1988, 13 GP in 1985 & 12 GP in 1984), Mario Lemieux (14 GP in 1991), Sidney Crosby (12 GP in 2009) and Evgeni Malkin (12 GP in 2009).

* Draisaitl, who became the first skater in Oilers history to record four assists in a game when facing elimination, fell one shy of the most by any player in NHL history in that situation (Doug Gilmour: 0-5—5 in Game 5 of 1986 DSF w/ STL).

* Game 4 also marked the seventh time Draisaitl collected three or more points in a contest this postseason, becoming just the second player in NHL history to register as many in a single playoff year – Wayne Gretzky accomplished the feat on three separate occasions: 1985 (9 GP), 1988 (8 GP) and 1993 (7 GP).



AVALANCHE CLINCH FIRST STANLEY CUP FINAL BERTH SINCE 2001
A few more #NHLStats on the Stanley Cup Final-bound Avalanche, with plenty more to come leading up to Game 1:

* Colorado reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in franchise history, following wins in 1996 (4-0 W vs. FLA) and 2001 (4-3 W vs. NJD).

* The Avalanche can become the fourth franchise in NHL history to win the Cup in each of its first three or more appearances in the championship series. Only the Islanders (4: 1980, 1981, 1982 & 1983), original Ottawa Senators (4: 1920, 1921, 1923 & 1927) and Maple Leafs (3: 1918, 1922 & 1932) have done so.

* Colorado (12-2) became the eighth team since 1987 (when all rounds became a best-of-seven) to suffer only two losses on route to clinching a berth into the Stanley Cup Final.

* The Avalanche have yet to face either of their potential Stanley Cup Final opponents, the Rangers or the Lightning, in the playoffs since relocating to Denver in 1995-96. However, their last series as the Quebec Nordiques was against the Rangers in the 1995 Conference Quarterfinals (a six-game triumph for New York, the defending Stanley Cup champions).

CONNOR CLAIMS 2021-22 LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY
Jets forward Kyle Connor was named winner of the 2021-22 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, given annually “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” He was presented with the award by Tanya and Lucie Bossy, the daughter and wife of the late Mike Bossy, who won the award three times. Click here to read more about Connor’s season and here for full voting results.

QUICK CLICKS

* #NHLStats: Live Updates for Monday, June 6

* Series Scenarios for Tuesday, June 7
* Bob Gainey congratulates Patrice Bergeron on winning NHL-record fifth career Selke Trophy
* Avalanche touch Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

* Avalanche to play Rangers or Lightning in Stanley Cup Final

LIGHTNING LOOK TO EVEN EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL IN GAME 4 TUESDAY
Tampa Bay looks to pull even in its Eastern Conference Final series with New York during Game 4 at AMALIE Arena on Tuesday.

* Chris Kreider scored the 34th playoff goal of his NHL career Sunday to move into a tie with Rod Gilbert for the most in Rangers history. Kreider can become the first player to take the outright postseason goals lead for an Original Six franchise since 2004, when Steve Yzerman scored in Game 6 of the Conference Quarterfinals to reach 68 career playoff tallies and pass Gordie Howe for sole possession of first place on the Red Wings’ all-time list.

* Ondrej Palat scored the go-ahead goal in the final minute of regulation during Game 3 to cut the Lightning’s series deficit to 2-1, with Nikita Kucherov collecting the primary assist via a highlight-reel, no-look pass to his longtime teammate. Kucherov (2-3—5) has factored on each of Tampa Bay’s past five goals.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.