STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RECAP MAY 24 2017
PENGUINS, SENATORS BATTLE FOR BERTH IN STANLEY CUP FINAL
A spot in the Stanley Cup Final is on the line when the Penguins and Senators face off in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final at PPG Paints Arena.
The Penguins, who defeated the Capitals in Game 7 of the Second Round (2-0 W at WSH), will be playing their 17th all-time Game 7 (9-7), fifth in NHL history behind the Bruins (25), Red Wings (25), Canadiens (23) and Maple Leafs (22). Pittsburgh is 3-7 in Game 7s on home ice, including a 2-1 victory in the 2016 Eastern Conference Final vs. TBL.
The Senators will be seeking their first all-time Game 7 win (0-5). Four of Ottawa’s five Game 7 losses have come on the road, including a 2-1 defeat in their most recent such contest in the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at NYR.
The Penguins will be skating in their third Game 7 in the Conference Finals. In addition to 2016 vs. TBL, they faced the Panthers in 1996 (3-1 L).
The Senators will be contesting their second Game 7 in the Conference Finals. They lost to the Devils, the eventual Stanley Cup champions, in 2003 (3-2 L).
GAME 7 TRENDS
- The team that scores first is 125-43 (.744) in the 168 all-time Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 1-1 record this year.
- Home teams own a 98-70 (.583) advantage in the 168 all-time Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 1-1 record this year.
- Forty Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs have required overtime (23.8%). Home and road teams both are 20-20.
DID YOU KNOW?
Game 7 remains the most frequently occurring series length since the start of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs (134 total series):
- 7 GP: 46x (34.3%)
- 6 GP: 45x (33.6%)
- 5 GP: 27x (20.2%)
- 4 GP: 16x (11.9%)
SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Ottawa @ Pittsburgh, series tied 3-3, 8 p.m.
STANLEY CUP FINALS SCHEDULE