RINNE AND PREDS WIN FIRST EVER GAME 7
Pekka Rinne made 36 saves, including 12 after the Ducks pulled within one goal in the third period, to backstop the Predators to victory in the franchise’s first Game 7 appearance.
Rinne, who also helped the Predators eliminate the Ducks in the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals, improved to 8-5 in 13 all-time playoff meetings against the club. He owns a 12-5-4 record in 21 career regular-season contests vs. ANA (2.29 GAA,.919 SV%, 2 SO).
TAVARES NETS (ANOTHER) WINNER AS ISLANDERS TAKE GAME 1
After scoring the tying and overtime goals in New York’s series-clinching victory on Sunday, Islanders captain John Tavares (1-1—2) again provided the decisive marker to help his club win the opening game of the Second Round.
CROSBY, OVECHKIN RENEW RIVALRY IN SECOND ROUND
The Capitals and Penguins play the opening game of their ninth all-time playoff meeting and first since the 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals, when Pittsburgh defeated Washington in a thrilling seven-game series en route to its third (and most recent) Stanley Cup. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin totaled 8-6—14 in that series, while Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby countered with 8-5—13.
Both players recorded hat tricks in Game 2 and scored in Game 7, but Crosby posted 2-1—3 in the finale to lead the Penguins to victory. Ovechkin (525-441—966 in 839 GP) and Crosby (338-600—938 in 707 GP) rank first and second, respectively, in NHL scoring since entering the League in 2005-06.
When the puck drops on the series there will be several familiar faces on opposite ends of the rink: Washington’s Matt Niskanen (2011-14) and Brooks Orpik (2002-14) both played for the Penguins, while Pittsburgh’s Eric Fehr (2005-11 and 2012-15) spent nine of his first 10 NHL seasons with the Capitals.
BISHOP, HOLTBY AND QUICK VOTED VEZINA TROPHY FINALISTS
The NHL announced that Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop, Washington’s Braden Holtby and Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick are the three finalists for the 2015-16 Vezina Trophy, which is awarded “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position.”
The NHL will reveal the three finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy prior to tonight’s games.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Nashville 2, ANAHEIM 1 – NSH wins 4-3
NY Islanders 5, TAMPA BAY 3 – NYI leads 1-0
SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Pittsburgh @ Washington, 8:00 p.m.
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