SHARKS AND STARS PUSH OPPONENTS TO BRINK OF ELIMINATION

The Sharks and Stars each posted Game 4 wins to pull ahead 3-1 in their respective First Round series. Both clubs hold an all-time series record of 9-1 when winning three of the first four games in a best-of-seven series.

The Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks are also on the brink of elimination tonight, both are road games.

MILESTONES AND MUSINGS

• Islanders captain John Tavares (1-0—1) has collected 10-11—21 in his past 14 games dating to March 23 vs. OTT, including at least one point in all four postseason contests (3-4—7)
• Teammate Ales Hemsky scored his first playoff goal since Game 5 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final at CAR (w/ EDM)
• The Stanley Cup visited the set of “Arrow” while in Vancouver
• Forward Jaromir Jagr (0-1—1) notched an assist on Florida’s opening goal to help the club even its series with the Islanders and continue his climb up the NHL’s all-time charts.
• The band Mumford and Sons attended Game 4 of the Stars-Wild series at Xcel Energy Center
• Wayne Gretzky attended Game 4 of the Capitals-Flyers series ahead of Thursday’s celebration of life for Ed Snider
• The NHL suspended Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw for one game for making use of a homophobic slur during Game 4 against the Blues. Shaw also was fined $5,000 for directing an inappropriate gesture at the on-ice officials during the same game.
• Start times for Game 5 of both the Panthers-Islanders (8 p.m. ET on Friday, April 22) and Stars-Wild (9:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. CT on Friday, April 22) series.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
PHILADELPHIA 2, Washington 1 – WSH leads 3-1
Florida 2, NY ISLANDERS 1 – series tied 2-2
Dallas 3, MINNESOTA 2 – DAL leads 3-1
SAN JOSE 3, Los Angeles 2 – SJS leads 3-1

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Detroit Red Wings @ Tampa Bay, TBL leads 3-1, 7:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh @ NY Rangers, PIT leads 2-1, 7:00 p.m.
Anaheim @ Nashville, NSH leads 2-1, 9:30 p.m.
Chicago @ St. Louis, STL leads 3-1, 9:30 p.m