Stanley Cup Playoffs, May 10, 2022, Mathews Gives Maple Leafs the Lead
MATTHEWS COMPLETES BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR WITH GAME WINNER
After William Nylander (1-2—3) helped Toronto erase a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead and Ryan McDonagh (1-0—1) scored a game-tying goal in the third period for Tampa Bay, Auston Matthews found the back of the net 5:37 later to give the Maple Leafs the lead for good and a 3-2 series advantage against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
- Toronto, which recorded a multi-goal comeback win in the playoffs for just the third time since 2004 (also Game 4 of 2020 SCQ & Game 3 of 2017 R1), did so against the defending Stanley Cup champions for just the second time in franchise history after first accomplishing the feat against the Canadiens in Game 4 of the 1945 Semifinals.
- Only six players in franchise history have scored more game-winning goals in the postseason than Matthews (5): Ted Kennedy (11), Frank Mahovlich (9), Mats Sundin (7), Nick Metz (6), Dave Keon (6) and Harry Watson (6).
ANOTHER HAT TRICK HIGHLIGHTS BLUES GAME 5 VICTORY
With the game tied 2-2 entering the third period, Vladimir Tarasenko scored three straight goals, including twice in the opening 2:31 of the final frame, to register the third hat trick of this First Round series (also David Perron: Game 1 & Kirill Kaprizov: Game 2) and help the Blues push the Wild to the brink of elimination.
- Tarasenko, who became the third player in franchise history – and first in 27 years – to score three goals in a playoff period, is the fourth player in Blues history to register a natural hat trick in the playoffs joining Red Berenson (Game 1 of 1969 SF), Brendan Shanahan (Game 4 of 1995 CQF) and Jaden Schwartz (Game 6 of 2019 R1).
- The Blues forward is one of 10 active skaters to notch multiple playoff hat tricks. The others: Sidney Crosby (3x), Sean Couturier (2x), Jeff Carter (2x), Jaden Schwartz (2x), David Pastrnak (2x), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (2x), Patrick Kane (2x), Jake Guentzel (2x) and Evgeni Malkin (2x).
KEMPE, KINGS TAKE 3-2 SERIES LEAD WITH QUICK OT GOAL
Despite three-point performances by Leon Draisaitl (2-1—3) and Connor McDavid (1-2—3), the Kings extinguished a late Oilers comeback attempt in the third period after Adrian Kempe (2-1—3) scored his second goal of the game 1:12 into overtime to help Los Angeles push Edmonton to the edge of elimination.
- Kempe, who led Los Angeles in goals during the regular season, became the sixth player in Kings history to score both his first career playoff goal and an overtime winner in the same game – the last skater to do so with the club was Anze Kopitar in Game 2 of the 2010 Conference Quarterfinals.
JARVIS, AHO IGNITE OFFENSE, HURRICANES RETAKE SERIES LEAD
Seth Jarvis (2-0—2) and Sebastian Aho (0-2—2) were two of five Hurricanes players to record a multi-point outing, with Aho moving up a number of franchise all-time lists in the process, as Carolina won Game 5 after being tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven series for the sixth time in franchise history. The Hurricanes went on to win each of the previous five instances: the 2021 First Round (vs. NSH), 2006 Conference Finals (vs. BUF), 2006 Conference Quarterfinals (vs. MTL), 2002 Conference Semifinals (vs. MTL) and 2002 Conference Quarterfinals (vs. NJD).
- Jarvis (20 years, 98 days) became the second player in franchise history to record a multi-goal playoff game at age 20 or younger. The other: Andrei Svechnikov (Game 1 of 2019 R1 & Game 2 of 2020 SCQ). Jarvis now has three career playoff goals, second most in franchise history among players age 20 or younger, behind Svechnikov (7).
STRONG VIEWERSHIP CONTINUES THROUGH FIRST WEEK OF STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Through Monday, May 9 (32 GP), the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs are averaging 668,000 viewers across ESPN, ESPN2, TNT and TBS, up 42% from 2021 and up 29% from 2019 on cable (NBCSN, CNBC and USA) through the same number of games.
- Turner Sports’ inaugural Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage is up 46% compared to similar cable-televised windows in 2021, and up 48% from 2019. Female viewership for playoff games airing on TNT and TBS is up 71% when compared to televised games to date last year, and up 73% from 2019.
- ESPN and ESPN2 also continue to report strong viewership through the first week of the 2022 First Round.
CANADIENS RETAIN NO. 1 PICK, DEVILS CLIMB TO NO. 2 VIA 2022 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY
The Canadiens retained the first overall selection at the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft as a result of the 2022 NHL Draft Lottery and are set to host the event at Bell Centre (July 7-8). The Devils landed the No. 2 selection, moving up from fifth overall.
- Montreal has made the first overall selection five times in NHL Draft history: 1963 (Garry Monahan), 1968 (Michel Plasse), 1969 (Réjean Houle), 1971 (Guy Lafleur) and 1980 (Doug Wickenheiser).
THREE-GAME WEDNESDAY FEATURES PITTSBURGH ONE WIN SHY OF SECOND ROUND
With three games slated for Wednesday, it’s the Penguins who have the opportunity to become the second team to advance to the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Pittsburgh, which scored seven goals in Game 3 and Game 4, can become just the third team in NHL history to record seven-plus goals in three straight playoff games. The only teams to have done so: the Oilers in 1985 (Game 4 of DF, Game 1 & Game 2 of CF) and in 1983 (Game 5 of DF, Game 1 & Game 2 of CF).
- The Penguins have never lost a best-of-seven series after taking a 3-1 lead in one that started on the road, with those three victories coming in the 2017 Second Round, 2016 Second Round and the 2000 Conference Quarterfinals. Pittsburgh went on to advance to the Final in two of those three instances (2017 & 2016).
BUNTING, SEIDER AND ZEGRAS VOTED CALDER TROPHY FINALISTS
Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Michael Bunting, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras are the three finalists for the 2021‑22 Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.”
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Calder Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winners of the 2022 NHL Awards will be revealed during the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final.
Following are the finalists for the Calder Trophy, in alphabetical order:
Michael Bunting, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Bunting led all rookies with 23-40—63 in 79 games to help power a Maple Leafs offense that ranked second in the NHL with 315 goals – the team’s most in a season since 1989-90 (337). Bunting, who recorded the third-most points in a season by a Toronto rookie behind only Auston Matthews (40‑29—69 in 2016-17) and Peter Ihnacak (28-38—66 in 1982-83), also placed among the top 2021-22 rookies in assists (2nd; 40), plus/minus (2nd; +27), goals (t-2nd; 23), shots on goal (6th; 175) and shooting percentage (6th; 13.1%). The 2014 fourth-round pick (117th overall by ARI), who signed with the Maple Leafs in July, found the scoresheet in 44 of his 79 appearances (55.7%) – highlighted by 14 multi-point performances, his second career hat trick Jan. 29 at DET, and a career-high four assists and five points Feb. 26 at DET (1-4—5). Bunting is seeking to become the 11th player in franchise history to capture the Calder Trophy and just the second to do so in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68), after Matthews in 2016-17.
Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings
Seider paced rookie defensemen with 7-43—50, a point total surpassed by only two rookie blueliners over the last 30 years (Quinn Hughes: 8-45—53 in 2019-20 w/ VAN; Vladimir Malakhov: 14‑38—52 in 1992-93 w/ NYI) and just two rookie defensemen in Detroit history (Reed Larson: 19‑41—60 in 1977-78; Nicklas Lidstrom: 11-49—60 in 1991-92). Seider, the sixth overall selection from the 2019 NHL Draft, led all 2021-22 rookies (forwards and defensemen) in assists (43), power-play assists (19) and power-play points (21), while ranking among the top five in shots on goal (3rd; 187), points (4th; 50) and game-winning goals (t-5th; 4). He played in each of the Red Wings’ 82 contests to also lead all rookies in total time on ice (1,889:22) and minutes per game (23:02) – franchise rookie records in both categories (which have been tracked since 1997-98). Detroit’s first Calder Trophy finalist since 2009-10 (Jimmy Howard), Seider is vying to become the sixth player in franchise history to win the award and first since Roger Crozier in 1964-65.
Trevor Zegras, C, Anaheim Ducks
Zegras, who dazzled the hockey world with highlight-reel assists and goals, finished second among rookies with 23-38—61 in 75 games – single-season franchise records for assists and points by a rookie, ahead of Cam Fowler (30 in 2010-11) and Bobby Ryan (57 in 2008-09), respectively. The ninth overall pick from the 2019 NHL Draft, Zegras topped NHL freshmen with 19 multi-point outings en route to placing among the rookie leaders in power-play goals (1st; 9), game-winning goals (t-1st; 5), goals (t-2nd; 23), assists (3rd; 38), power-play points (3rd; 17), shots on goal (5th; 181), power-play assists (t-6th; 8) and shooting percentage (7th; 12.7%). Zegras, who ranked second in average time on ice by rookie forwards (17:54), also paced all NHL players (rookie or veteran) with six shootout goals. He is the third player in franchise history who has been voted a Calder Trophy finalist, after Paul Kariya (1994-95) and Ryan (2008-09), and is looking to become the first Ducks player to take home the award.
From 1936-37 until his death in 1943, NHL President Frank Calder purchased a trophy each year to be given permanently to the League’s outstanding rookie. After Calder’s death, the NHL presented the Calder Memorial Trophy in his memory.
OILERS’ KASSIAN FINED FOR CROSS-CHECKING
Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi during Game 5 of the teams’ First Round series in Edmonton on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
The incident occurred at 19:00 of the second period. Kassian was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
OILERS’ NURSE SUSPENDED ONE GAME FOR HEAD-BUTTING
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has been suspended for one game for head-butting Los Angeles Kings forward Phillip Danault during Game 5 of the teams’ First Round series in Edmonton on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. The incident occurred at 19:50 of the second period.
Video details a full explanation of the decision.