STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RECAP APRIL 27 2017 – PENS AND SENS WIN

CROSBY, OVECHKIN EACH SCORE AS BONINO LIFTS PENGUINS IN GAME 1
Sidney Crosby scored twice in a span of 52 seconds to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead, but Alex Ovechkin notched the first of two straight Capitals goals to help even the score, setting the stage for Pittsburgh’s Nick Bonino to tally the game-winning goal in the third period in Game 1 of their Second Round series.

KARLSSON’S LATE GOAL GIVES SENATORS GAME 1 VICTORY
Erik Karlsson scored the go-ahead goal from the Rangers goal line with 4:11 left in regulation to lift the Senators to a 1-0 series lead on home ice.

FOLIGNO, GETZLAF AND GIORDANO NAMED FINALISTS FOR MESSIER AWARD
Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno, Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf and Flames defenseman Mark Giordano are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, which is presented “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season.” Mark Messier solicits suggestions from club and League personnel as well as NHL fans to compile a list of potential candidates for the award. However, the selection of the three finalists and ultimate winner is Messier’s alone. The winners of the 2017 NHL Humanitarian Awards also will be recognized the following day at the 2017 NHL Awards at T-Mobile Arena.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RESULTS MUSINGS

  • Henrik Lundqvist (41 saves) stopped all 21 shots he faced in the opening frame – a playoff career high for any period. Elias notes that in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68), the only Rangers goaltender with more saves in the first period of a playoff game was Ed Giacomin (22) in Game 4 of the 1968 Quarterfinals at CHI
  • Senators goaltender Craig Anderson made 34 saves to improve to 5-2 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (1.81 GAA, .930 SV%, 1 SO)
  • Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves – including a series of stops late in the third period – to improve to 5-1 this postseason (2.43 GAA, .934 SV%)
  • The Penguins won Game 1 against the Capitals for the second time in 10 all-time playoff meetings (also 2000 CQF at WSH: 7-0 W)
  • Former television personality David Letterman was part of the crowd at Verizon Center for Game 1 between the Penguins and Capitals.

THURSDAY’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RESULTS RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
OTTAWA 2, NY Rangers 1 – OTT leads 1-0
Pittsburgh 3, WASHINGTON 2 – PIT leads 1-0

FRIDAY’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF RESULTS ACTION
All Times Eastern
Nashville @ St. Louis, NSH leads 1-0, 8 p.m.
Edmonton @ Anaheim, EDM leads 1-0, 10:30 p.m.