Posted on by IPM Editor
Stanley Cup Playoff Review April 21 2018, Stanley Cup Playoffs May 17 2018
22
Apr

Stanley Cup Playoff Review April 21 2018

Lightning advance as Kucherov sets franchise mark; Capitals win third straight, take 3-2 series lead; Andersen, Maple Leafs hang on to force Game 6

SATURDAY’S RESULTS
The Lightning advanced to the Second Round, the Capitals won in overtime to take a 3-2 series lead and the Maple Leafs staved off elimination.

LIGHTNING ADVANCE AS KUCHEROV SETS FRANCHISE MARK
Nikita Kucherov scored the series-clinching goal with 7:33 remaining in regulation as the Lightning won Game 5 to advance to the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons (also 2015 and 2016).

Kucherov is tied for second in the NHL with 5-5—10 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs and established a franchise record for most points in a postseason series. He boosted his career playoff totals to 27-25—52 (all w/ TBL) to move into a tie with Vincent Lecavalier (24-28—52) for second on the franchise’s all-time postseason points list behind only Martin St. Louis (33-35—68).

The Lightning improved to 3-0 at Amalie Arena in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, outscoring the Devils 13-6 in those contests. Tampa Bay registered 29 home wins in the 2017-18 regular season, trailing only Winnipeg (32) and Pittsburgh (31) for the most in the NHL.

The Lightning will face either the Bruins or Maple Leafs in the Second Round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boston defeated Tampa Bay in their only prior postseason meeting, earning a 1-0 series-clinching win in Game 7 of the 2011 Conference Finals en route to capturing the Stanley Cup. The Lightning and Maple Leafs, meanwhile, have never met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Lightning defenseman and former Windsor Spitfire Mikhail Sergachev (19 years, 300 days) became the youngest player in franchise history to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the fifth teenager to do so in the 2018 First Round, joining Patrik Laine (2), Pierre-Luc Dubois, Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick.

This marks the first time five teenagers have scored a goal in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 1991 Division Semifinals, when Jaromir Jagr (2), Steven Rice (2), Mike Craig, Keith Primeau and Robert Reichel did so.

In fact, only one opening round in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) has featured more teenagers scoring at least one goal – the 1980 Preliminary Round, when seven players under the age of 20 each found the back of the net (Brent Ashton, Laurie Boschman, Ray Bourque, Wayne Gretzky, Tom McCarthy, Mark Messier and Mike Ramsey).

CAPITALS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT, TAKE 3-2 SERIES LEAD
In a seesaw affair that saw no lead last longer than 5:48, Nicklas Backstrom (2-1—3) scored at 11:53 of overtime to propel the Capitals to their third straight win and a 3-2 series lead.

Backstrom scored his fourth career overtime goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (all w/ WSH) to extend his franchise record. Only Joe Sakic (8), Maurice Richard (6), Patrick Kane (5) and Glenn Anderson (5) have scored more such goals in NHL postseason history.

Keelan Moxley, who became a social media star after video of Brett Connolly’s repeated attempts to toss her a puck prior to Game 2 went viral, was invited back to Capital One Arena for Game 5. The six-year-old led the crowd in a pre-game chant, received an autographed stick from Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and met Connolly after the victory. Click here for a recap of her big day.

CAPITALS NO STRANGER TO OVERTIME
The Capitals required overtime in a playoff game for the 66th time in franchise history, tied for the ninth-most among all NHL franchises and third-most by any non-Original Six club. Thirty-five of those contests have occurred since the start of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, trailing only Chicago (38) for the most in that span.

In fact, the Capitals have required overtime in 13 of their last 24 postseason games dating to Game 1 of the 2016 Conference Semifinals vs. PIT, including nine of their last 11 taking place in the First Round. Washington is the first team in NHL history to play a combined nine overtime games in the opening round of back-to-back postseasons.

The 2018 First Round series between the Capitals and Blue Jackets is the 17th series in NHL history to feature at least four overtime games and the second for Washington in as many campaigns – their six-game series against Toronto in the 2017 First Round tied the NHL record with five overtime games.

ANDERSEN, MAPLE LEAFS HANG ON TO FORCE GAME 6
The Maple Leafs built a 4-1 lead by the 11:55 mark of the second period, including first career postseason goals by Connor Brown and Andreas Johnsson, before holding off a furious Bruins rally backstopped by 42 saves from Frederik Andersen to win Game 5 and cut their First Round series deficit to 3-2.

Andersen became the fifth goaltender in franchise history to make at least 40 saves to win in an elimination game. Elias notes that he joined Wayne Thomas in Game 6 of the 1976 Quarterfinals vs. PHI (42), Mike Palmateer in Game 3 of the 1983 Division Semifinals vs. MNS (47), Felix Potvin in Game 6 of the 1995 Conference Quarterfinals vs. CHI (46) and James Reimer in Game 5 of 2013 Conference Quarterfinals at BOS (43).

This marks the sixth time in 16 tries that the Maple Leafs won Game 5 when facing a 3-1 series deficit in a best-of-seven series. The other instances: 1942 Stanley Cup Final vs. DET (9-3 W), 1988 Division Semifinals at DET (6-5 OT W), 1996 Conference Quarterfinals vs. STL (5-4 OT W), 2002 Conference Finals at CAR (1-0 W) and 2013 Conference Quarterfinals at BOS (2-1 W).

The Maple Leafs own an all-time series record of 1-14 when facing a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven. Toronto rallied for its only such win in the 1942 Stanley Cup Final vs. DET – a series they trailed 3-0.

SNEAK PEEK AT SUNDAY’S ACTION
The Flyers and Avalanche each look to force a Game 7 in their respective series on the heels of dramatic Game 5 victories where they both scored a go-ahead goal in the final 90 seconds of regulation to avoid elimination. They are facing the Penguins and Predators, respectively, who are looking to advance to the Second Round and begin another long playoff run after meeting in the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.

Stanley Cup Playoff schedule for Sunday, Apr 22 2018

Matchup

 Time

 Pittsburgh@ Philadelphia

 3:00 PM ET

 Nashville@ Colorado

 7:00 PM ET

BOYLE, LUONGO AND STALL VOTED MASTERTON TROPHY FINALISTS

Forward Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils, goaltender Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers and forward Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes are the three finalists for the 2017-18 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey,” the National Hockey League announced today.

The local chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) submitted nominations for the Masterton Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season and the top three vote-getters were 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 Masterton Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Brian Boyle, New Jersey Devils

Before Boyle set foot on the ice as a New Jersey Devil, he faced his biggest test. At the start of training camp the 33-year-old was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer. He worked his way back into the lineup by Nov. 1 and notched 10 goals over his first 25 games, including a memorable goal on the Devils‘ Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Prudential Center, a 3-2 win over Vancouver on Nov. 24. Boyle missed just three games after his season debut and represented the Devils at the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game in Tampa Bay. While handling his own illness, his family and his career, Boyle has approached every day with the same optimistic attitude and perseverance that has inspired and lifted the Devils’ locker room.

Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers
Luongo, 39, overcame hand and groin injuries during the season and backstopped the Panthers’ drive for an Eastern Conference Playoff berth. Sidelined by injury since early December, the franchise’s all-time leader in wins, shutouts and appearances returned on Feb. 17 to help the Panthers defeat Calgary 6-3 and ignite a Florida rally in the East’s Wild Card race. In a 13-game span, Luongo went 9-3-1 with a 2.44 GAA and .928 SV%. On Feb. 22, Luongo delivered a heartfelt, unscripted speech to the crowd at BB&T Center prior to Florida’s game against Washington. The 12-year resident of nearby Parkland, Fla., addressed the recent Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting during the Panthers’ pregame ceremony to honor the victims.

Jordan Staal, Carolina Hurricanes

Showing leadership and strength amidst a family tragedy, Staal was a key component of the Hurricanesthroughout the season. In late February, Staal and his wife, Heather, announced their daughter, Hannah, was delivered stillborn due to a terminal birth defect previously diagnosed by doctors. Staal, who had assumed a bigger leadership role with the young Hurricanes by being named co-captain before the season, missed just three games following the tragedy. He registered 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 79 games, the second-highest goal and point totals in his six seasons with Carolina. The 29-year-old skated in his 800th NHL game on Dec. 27 against Montreal and scored his 200th goal on Jan. 12 against Washington.

Bill Masterton Memorial Scholarship Fund

A $2,500 grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minn., in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner.

History

The trophy was presented by the NHL Writers’ Association in 1968 to commemorate the late Bill Masterton, a player with the Minnesota North Stars who exhibited to a high degree the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey and who died on Jan. 15, 1968.

blank
IPM Editor