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Stanley Cup Playoff Review April 14 2018, Stanley Cup Playoff Review April 19 2018
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Apr

Stanley Cup Playoff Review April 19 2018

THURSDAY’S RESULTS
The Bruins took a commanding 3-1 lead in their First Round series with the Maple Leafs, while the Capitals evened their First Round matchup with the Blue Jackets.

PASTRNAK POWERS BRUINS TO COMMANDING SERIES LEAD
David Pastrnak (0-2—2) recorded his third multi-point game of the postseason as the Bruins took a 3-1 series lead over the Maple Leafs. Pastrnak, who leads all players with 4-7—11 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, trails only Wayne Gretzky for the most points by a player in his team’s opening four playoff games since 1987.

Tuukka Rask (31 saves) earned his 33rd career playoff victory to move past Frank Brimsek (32) for sole possession of third on the Bruins’ all-time playoff wins list. Rask sits eighth among active netminders, one win shy of Roberto Luongo (34).

Torey Krug opened the scoring 28 seconds into the contest, marking the fastest goal to begin a playoff game since James van Riemsdyk (0:29 w/ PHI) in Game 2 of the 2011 Conference Semifinals.

Boston took a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series for the 21st time in franchise history and holds an all-time series record of 18–2 in those instances.

Well I thought we played – I didn’t think we had everyone going. They scored the first shift. I thought we took over and had the game well in control, even when we were down 2-1 I thought we were in a great spot because we had the puck a lot, playing good. In the end though, we made the two plays – we had a breakaway and a good two-on-one and we got nothing out of it. Both of their two-on-ones, one on a pinch and one where we hit the guy in the kneepad, they buried and we didn’t make good plays on him to help our goalie out. In the end, that’s the game. When Bergeron didn’t play tonight, you’re set up pretty good. You’ve got to find a way to win. This is in our building. You’ve got to win. – Maple Leafs Head Coach Mike Babcock from post game presser

CAPITALS EARN ANOTHER ROAD WIN TO EVEN SERIES WITH BLUE JACKETS
The Capitals received multi-point performances from Evgeny Kuznetsov (1-2—3), Alex Ovechkin (1-1—2) and Tom Wilson (1-1—2) to even their First Round series with the Blue Jackets.

Washington tied a best-of-seven series 2-2 after losing Games 1 and 2 for the first time in franchise history. In the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, three teams accomplished the feat: Anaheim (FR vs. EDM), NY Rangers (FR vs. OTT) and Nashville (F vs.PIT).

The road team has won each of the first four games of the series, marking the fifth such occurrence in the Stanley Cup Playoffs over the last 10 years.

PREDATOR’S HARTMAN SUSPENDED ONE GAME FOR CHECK TO THE HEAD

Nashville Predators forward Ryan Hartman has been suspended for one game for an illegal check to the head of Colorado Avalanche forward Carl Soderberg during Game 4 of the teams’ First Round series in Colorado on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. The incident occurred at 4:42 of the third period. Hartman was assessed a minor penalty for charging.

Stanley Cup schedule for Friday Apr 20 2018

Matchup

 Time

 Philadelphia@ Pittsburgh

 7:00 PM ET

 Minnesota@ Winnipeg

 7:30 PM ET

 Colorado@ Nashville

 9:30 PM ET

DOUGHTY, HEDMAN AND SUBBAN VOTED NORRIS TROPHY FINALISTS

Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and P.K. Subban of the Nashville Predators are the three finalists for the 2017-18 James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.” 

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Norris Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2018 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

Following are the finalists for the Norris Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

Doughty paced the NHL in total time on ice (2,200:31) and average time on ice (26:50) while anchoring a Los Angeles defense that allowed a League-low 203 goals. He also set a career high and ranked seventh among NHL defensemen with 10-50—60, becoming the first Kings blueliner to collect 60 points since 2005-06 (Lubomir Visnovsky: 17-50—67). Doughty – who appeared in all 82 games for the fourth straight season – reached a trio of career milestones, picking up his 100th goal Jan. 30 and 300th assist and 400th point Feb. 7 (102-320—422 in 770 GP). Only one defenseman has registered more goals, assists or points for Los Angeles: Rob Blake (161‑333—494 in 805 GP). The 28-year-old London, Ont., native is a Norris Trophy finalist for the fourth time after winning the award in 2015-16, finishing second in voting in 2014-15 and placing third in 2009-10.

Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Hedman shared first place among NHL defensemen with a career-high 17 goals, tied for the second-most in one season by a Lightning blueliner (behind Dan Boyle: 20 in 2006-07). He also ranked fifth among League defensemen with 63 points, becoming the first blueliner in team history to top 60 points in multiple campaigns (16‑56—72 in 2016-17). Hedman established a career high with a +32 rating, ranking sixth in the League and second among defensemen, and also set personal bests in time on ice per game (25:51) and total time on ice (1,990:30), placing fifth and ninth overall, respectively. The 27-year-old Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, native is a Norris Trophy finalist for the second straight season after finishing third in voting in 2016-17. He is vying to become the first player in Tampa Bay history to win the award.

P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators

Subban powered a Predators defense that led the NHL in goals (56) and points (206) in 2017-18. He set a career high and shared fourth place among League blueliners with 16 goals. Subban also ranked eighth among NHL defensemen with 59 points, one shy of his personal best established in 2014-15 (15-45—60 w/ MTL). The 28-year-old Toronto, Ont., native – who collected 11-19—30 in 31 outings from Dec. 13 – Feb. 22 – played in all 82 games for the third time in his career (also 2013-14 and 2014-15), placing 11th in the League in total time on ice (1,977:24) while registering a +18 rating. Subban is seeking his second career Norris Trophy following his win in 2012-13 (w/ MTL). A finalist for the third time, he also is aiming to become the first player in Nashville history to capture the award.

History

The James Norris Memorial Trophy was presented in 1953 by the four children of the late James Norris in memory of the former owner-president of the Detroit Red Wings.

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IPM Editor