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Stanley Cup Playoffs May 5 2018 Review
06
May

Stanley Cup Playoffs May 5 2018 Review

SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Rookies Kyle Connor (WPG) and Jakub Vrana (WSH) posted three points apiece as the Jets and Capitals took 3-2 leads in their respective Second Round series. When a best-of-seven series is tied 2-2 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as was the case in both of Saturday’s contests, the winner of Game 5 holds an all-time series record of 202-54 (78.9%).

CONNOR LIFTS JETS TO GAME 5 VICTORY
The Jets scored four goals in the second period, led by a pair from Kyle Connor (2-1—3), en route to a Game 5 win and a 3-2 lead in their Second Round series. Winnipeg, which added two more goals in the final frame, paces all teams with a 3.80 goals per game average in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Connor, who led all rookies with 31 goals in the 2017-18 regular season, scored his first two goals of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He established Jets/Thrashers franchise records for most goals and points in a playoff game by a rookie.

Only one rookie recorded more points in a playoff game with the original Winnipeg Jets: Dale Hawerchuk in Game 2 of the 1982 Division Semifinals (0-4—4 vs. STL). Only three scored two goals in a postseason contest: Paul MacLean (Game 2 of 1982 DSF vs. STL), Keith Tkachuk (Game 6 of 1992 DSF vs. VAN) and Teemu Selanne (Game 3 of 1993 DSF vs. VAN).

Mark Scheifele (1-1—2) has collected multiple points in six of his last seven outings dating to Game 4 of the First Round at MIN (8-5—13). He is tied for second in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs with nine goals overall (9-5—14).

VRANA SCORES LATE GAME WINNER AS CAPITALS TAKE 3-2 SERIES LEAD
Evgeny Kuznetsov (1-2—3) tied the game 52 seconds into the third period and Jakub Vrana (1-2—3) scored the go-ahead goal with 4:38 remaining in regulation as the Capitals took a 3-2 lead in their Second Round series.

The Capitals hold a 3-2 lead in a Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Penguins for the fourth time in 11 meetings and first since the 1995 Conference Quarterfinals (4-3 PIT series win). Washington went on to win the series on one prior occasion, doing so in the 1994 Conference Quarterfinals (4-2 series win).

Vrana became the second Capitals player to score a winning goal in the final five minutes of regulation in their Second Round series, joining Alex Ovechkin in Game 3 (58:53). Elias notes that Washington became the first team to score two such goals in a playoff series since 2016, when San Jose did so in the Second Round vs. NSH en route to an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.

Vrana became the fourth rookie in franchise history to record three points in a postseason game, joining Sergei Gonchar (Game 1 of 1995 CQF at PIT), Richard Zednik (Game 3 of 1998 CF at BUF) and Kuznetsov (Game 5 of 2015 FR vs. NYI).

Less than 24 hours after his wife gave birth to a baby boy, John Carlson scored his 16th career playoff goal (all w/ WSH) to move into a tie with Kevin Hatcher for the most by a defenseman in franchise history. He has recorded 3-8—11 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, one shy of the franchise record for most points in a postseason by a defenseman.


CROSBY CONTINUES TO CLIMB ALL-TIME LISTS . . .
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (66-118—184) scored his 66th career playoff goal to pass Bryan Trottier (71-112—183) and Nicklas Lidstrom (54-129—183) for sole possession of 11th place on the NHL’s all-time playoff points list and tie Joe Nieuwendyk and Denis Savard for 19th place on the League’s all-time postseason goals list. Only one player in franchise history has scored more playoff goals than Crosby: Mario Lemieux (76).

Crosby (9-11—20) reached the 20-point mark in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in his NHL career, the most in franchise history. Elias adds that only four players in NHL history have recorded at least 20 points in more postseasons than Crosby: Wayne Gretzky (9x), Mark Messier (7x), Jari Kurri (6x) and Glenn Anderson (5x).

Sidney Crosby became the third player to reach the 20-point mark in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, joining Penguins teammate Jake Guentzel (10-11—21) and Bruins forward David Pastrnak (6-14—20).

The 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs are just the fourth postseason to feature at least three players with 20-plus points by the conclusion of the second round. The others: 1981 (Mike Bossy, Wayne Gretzky, Ken Linseman), 1983 (Gretzky, Rick Middleton, Barry Pederson) and 1989 (Gretzky, Tim Kerr, Brian Propp).

Only four players recorded more than 20 points in the entire 2017 postseason: Evgeni Malkin (10-18—28), Crosby (8-19—27), Phil Kessel (8-15—23) and Guentzel (13-8—21).

NHL WARNS BRAD MARCHAND TO STOP LICKING OPPONENTS

SNEAK PEEK AT SUNDAY’S ACTION
The Lightning and Golden Knights look to clinch berths in the Conference Finals on Sunday. Vegas can join the Toronto Arenas (1917-18) and St. Louis Blues (1967-68) as the only franchises in NHL history to win multiple series in their inaugural season. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, looks to return to the Eastern Conference Final after appearances in 2004, 2011, 2015 and 2016.

Stanley Cup Schedule for Sunday May 6 2018

Matchup

 Time

Boston@ Tampa Bay

 3:00 PM ET

Vegas@ San Jose

7:30 PM ET
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IPM Editor