Stanley Cup Playoff News April 13
KARLSSON NETS OVERTIME WINNER TO CAP SHARKS COMEBACK
San Jose erased a two-goal deficit and Melker Karlsson scored at 3:22 of overtime to help the defending Western Conference champion Sharks rally past the Oilers in the opener of their First Round series. Karlsson, who has one overtime goal in 185 career regular-season games, registered his first such tally in the playoffs (25 GP). He collected 5-3—8, including one game-winning goal, during San Jose’s run to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. There were 20 overtime games in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including five that involved the Sharks (1-4).
CAPITALS BEGIN STANLEY CUP QUEST AGAINST MAPLE LEAFS
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Capitals begin their quest for the first Stanley Cup in franchise history when they host the Maple Leafs at Verizon Center for Game 1 of their opening round series. This marks the first playoff meeting between Washington and Toronto, who each ranked in the top five in total offense during the 2016-17 regular season (WSH: 263 GF; TOR: 251 GF). Washington owns a 10-2-1 edge in its last 13 meetings with Toronto dating to April 16, 2013 (TOR: 3-8-2), including a 7-0-0 record at Verizon Center.
MUSINGS
- Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (125 GP) collected his 82nd and 83rd career postseason assists to surpass Jaromir Jagr (82 in 140 GP) for third place in franchise playoff history
- Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who registered points in each of his last 14 games in 2016-17, notched an assist in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut
- Rangers forward Tanner Glass (GWG), who played in only 11 games during the regular season, scored his second career playoff goal (61 GP)
- Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby topped the list of best-selling player jerseys for 2016-17
- Four of the first five games in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs were won by visiting teams
- Penguins defenseman Ron Hainsey made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut after 907 career regular-season games (most in NHL history before a postseason appearance).
WEDNESDAY’S STANLEY CUP RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
NY Rangers 2, MONTREAL 0 – NYR leads 1-0
Boston 2, OTTAWA 1 – BOS leads 1-0
PITTSBURGH 3, Columbus 1 – PIT leads 1-0
St. Louis 2, MINNESOTA 1 (OT) – STL leads 1-0
San Jose 3, EDMONTON 2 (OT) – SJS leads 1-0
THURSDAY’S STANLEY CUP ACTION
All Times Eastern
Toronto @ Washington, Game 1, 7 p.m.
Nashville @ Chicago, Game 1, 8 p.m.
Calgary @ Anaheim, Game 1, 10:30 p.m.