STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RECAP APRIL 22 2017 – SHARKS, WILD, HABS OUT!
OILERS HANG ON TO DEFEAT SHARKS, ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND
The Oilers scored two breakaway goals in a span of 56 seconds early in the second period and held off a late push from the Sharks to win their series and advance to the Second Round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Edmonton won its first playoff series since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2006. The Oilers will face the Ducks in the Second Round, their second postseason meeting. Edmonton earned a 4-1 series win over Anaheim in the 2006 Conference Finals, which was their last series win before Saturday.
PAAJARVI SCORES IN OVERTIME TO LIFT BLUES TO SECOND ROUND
St. Louis surrendered a 3-1 lead in the third period, but Magnus Paajarvi scored at 9:42 of overtime as the Blues defeated the Wild to reach the Second Round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. St. Louis advanced past the opening round in the postseason for the second straight year, a feat they last achieved in 2001 and 2002. The Blues will face the Predators in the Second Round, their first-ever postseason meeting. Nashville owned a 3-2-0 edge in their five-game season series in 2016-17 (STL: 2-3-0).
ZUCCARELLO, LUNDQVIST LEAD RANGERS TO SECOND ROUND
Mats Zuccarello (2-0—2) registered his first career multi-goal game in the postseason and Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves as the Rangers defeated the Canadiens to advance to the Second Round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Rangers will face either the Bruins or Senators in the Second Round. New York has met Boston nine times in the postseason (2-7) and Ottawa once (1-0).
BOBROVSKY, HOLTBY AND PRICE VOTED VEZINA TROPHY FINALISTS
Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets, Braden Holtby of the Capitals and Carey Price of the Canadiens are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Vezina Trophy, which is awarded “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position.” The general managers of the NHL’s clubs submitted ballots for the Vezina Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 21, during the 2017 NHL Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF MUSINGS
- Sharks forward Patrick Marleau scored his 68th career playoff goal to tie Gordie Howe for 17th on the NHL’s all-time list
- Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko scored his first goal of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the 20th postseason marker of his NHL career (all w/ STL). Only Brett Hull (67), Bernie Federko (35), Brian Sutter (21) and Red Berenson (21) have scored more in franchise playoff history
- Blues forward Paul Stastny scored in his first game since March 21. Stastny has tallied eight of his 13 career playoff goals vs. MIN (8-5—13 in 20 GP)
SATURDAY’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
St. Louis 4, MINNESOTA 3 (OT) – STL wins 4-1
NY RANGERS 3, Montreal 1 – NYR wins 4-2
Edmonton 3, SAN JOSE 1 – EDM wins 4-2
SUNDAY’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF ACTION
All Times Eastern
Ottawa @ Boston, OTT leads 3-2, 3 p.m.
Washington @ Toronto, WSH leads 3-2, 7 p.m.