BURNS, DOUGHTY AND KARLSSON VOTED NORRIS TROPHY FINALISTS

The NHL announced that Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators are the three finalists for the 2015-16 James Norris Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”

SHARKS MATCH FRANCHISE RECORD IN COMEBACK WIN
The Sharks scored five times in the third period, sparked by Joel Ward (1-1—2) who factored on each of San Jose’s first two goals as the club rallied to defeat Nashville in the opener of their Second Round series.

The Sharks matched a franchise playoff record for goals in one period, achieving the feat for the first time on home ice. The only other time San Jose scored five goals in a single period during the postseason was in Game 3 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals at LAK, when they erased an early four-goal deficit with five markers in the second period of an eventual 6-5 overtime win.

STARS HOLD OFF BLUES FOR GAME 1 WIN
The Blues tied the game in the third period, but Radek Faksa (1-1—2) notched the go-ahead goal with 4:44 remaining in regulation to help the Stars win Game 1 of their Second Round series.

Faksa also scored the game-winning goal for the Stars in the opening game of their First Round series against the Wild. Via Elias, he became the first player from any team to record the decisive marker in Game 1 of consecutive playoff series since 2010, when Chris Higgins accomplished the feat for the Canucks (CQF vs. CHI and CSF vs. NSH).

FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
DALLAS 2, St. Louis 1 – DAL leads 1-0
SAN JOSE 5, Nashville 2 – SJS leads 1-0

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
NY Islanders @ Tampa Bay, 3:00 p.m., NYI leads 1-0
Pittsburgh @ Washington, 8:00 p.m., WSH leads 1-0