Stanley Cup Playoffs News April 18, 2023 – KOPITAR, KINGS STUN McDAVID, OILERS TO TAKE 1-0 LEAD IN FIRST ROUND SERIES

Anze Kopitar (1-3—4) scored a tying goal with 16.7 seconds remaining in regulation and assisted on the overtime winner by Alex Iafallo as Los Angeles held 153-point scorer Connor McDavid off the score sheet and stunned Edmonton, which entered Game 1 as the hottest team in the NHL since March 1.

• Kopitar (59:43) scored the fourth latest game-tying goal in Kings playoff history, trailing only Steve Bozek (59:55 in Game 3 of 1982 DSF), Marian Gaborik (59:53 in Game 1 of 2014 R2) and Mike Richards (59:50 in Game 5 of 2013 CF). Bozek’s goal was in the “Miracle on Manchester,” when Los Angeles rallied past Edmonton and became the first team in NHL history to win a postseason contest after overcoming a five-goal deficit.
• The Kings earned a multi-goal third-period comeback win in the playoffs for the sixth time in franchise history (also Game 2 of 2014 SCF, Game 4 of 2001 CQF, Game 1 of 1990 DSF, Game 3 of 1982 DSF & Game 6 of 1976 QF). Game 1 of the 1990 Division Semifinals marked the only other instance where Los Angeles did so in a postseason opener.

HARTMAN CAPS LONGEST GAME IN WILD HISTORY WITH DOUBLE-OVERTIME WINNER

Ryan Hartman called game after more than an hour-and-a-half of hockey by scoring the winner at 12:20 of the second overtime to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead in its First Round series with Dallas. It marked the longest contest in Wild franchise history, eclipsing Game 1 of the 2003 Conference Finals against the Mighty Ducks (88:06).

• Kirill Kaprizov (10-2—12 in 14 GP) opened the scoring to record his 10th career playoff goal in just 14 games, while Filip Gustavsson became the fifth NHL goaltender with 51-plus saves in his postseason debut (since 1955-56 when shots on goal were officially tracked). He joined Roberto Luongo (72 in Game 1 of 2007 CQF), Jean-Sebastien Giguere (63 in Game 1 of 2003 CQF), Jose Theodore (56 in Game 4 of 1997 CQF) and Jiri Crha (55 in Game 1 of 1980 PRLM).

NEW PLAYERS HELP DIVISION-LEADING BRUINS, HURRICANES EARN GAME 1 WINS

Tyler Bertuzzi tallied two assists in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut with Boston while Brent Burns and Stefan Noesen combined for three points in their first postseason game with Carolina as the Bruins and Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead in their respective First Round series:

• Bertuzzi (28 years, 52 days) became the oldest Boston player with multiple points in his first career playoff contest, eclipsing Eddie Shore (24 years, 124 days in Game 1 of 1927 QF). Of note, Frank Frederickson (31 years, 291 days) had 2-0—2 in that same Game 1 of the 1927 Quarterfinals, which marked his first postseason contest with an NHL team – Frederickson, however, competed in the 1925 and 1926 Stanley Cup Final with the Victoria Cougars prior to joining the Bruins.
• Brad Marchand climbed multiple franchise lists with his 50th career playoff goal – which stood as the game winner – while David Pastrnak moved into a tie with a trio of Bruins legends by scoring his 12th career postseason power-play tally. Marchand joined Cam Neely (55) as the second skater in franchise history with 50 career playoff goals and became just the eighth active NHL player to reach the milestone.
• Burns and Noesen connected on the winning goal as the Hurricanes edged the Islanders in front of a packed house of “Caniacs” at PNC Arena. Carolina earned its 26th win by a one-goal margin this season and vaulted past Vegas (25) for the most in the NHL (regular season & playoffs combined).
• Burns also had a first-period assist on a tally by Sebastian Aho, who moved past Rod Brind’Amour and into a tie with Eric Staal for the most postseason goals in franchise history. Burns (38 years, 39 days) became the oldest Hurricanes/Whalers defenseman to record a playoff point, passing Paul Coffey (37 years, 327 days in Game 2 of 1999 CQF).

FOUR MORE FIRST ROUND GAME 1s GO TUESDAY

The second night of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature four more Game 1s, with each contest being carried on ESPN and TBS programming in the U.S. as well as on Sporsnet and TVA Sports programming in Canada.

• Registration for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge presented by GEICO will remain open until the brackets lock before puck drop for the first Game 2 on Wednesday. Fans can use the popular “Matchup Analysis” tool that debuted last year as well as the visuals below to compare team stats as they make their selections.

DEVILS, RANGERS SET TO REIGNITE “HUDSON RIVER RIVALRY” IN GAME 1

The First Round series between New Jersey and New York will mark the seventh all-time playoff edition of the historic “Hudson River Rivalry” and first since the 2012 Conference Finals, when the Devils defeated the Rangers in six games. New York yields an all-time series record of 4-2 in its six previous postseason rounds against New Jersey, including a victory in the 1994 Conference Finals when Rangers captain Mark Messier famously guaranteed a win in Game 6 with his team facing elimination.

MAPLE LEAFS, LIGHTNING SET TO CLASH IN FIRST ROUND ONCE AGAIN

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay will tangle in the second straight First Round series between the franchises, with the Lightning earning a win last year via a 2-1 victory at Scotiabank Arena in Game 7. Game 1 marks the beginning of the Lightning’s quest to reach a fourth consecutive Stanley Cup Final, while Toronto looks to foil Tampa Bay’s plans and earn its first series win since the 2004 Conference Quarterfinals.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS AIM TO RELIVE FIRST-YEAR GLORY VERSUS JETS

Vegas will welcome Winnipeg to T-Mobile Arena for Game 1, which marks the opening of the second all-time playoff round between the franchises following the 2018 Conference Finals. The Golden Knights earned a five-game triumph against the Jets in that series to reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.

KRAKEN SET TO MAKE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS DEBUT AGAINST REIGNING CHAMPIONS

Seattle will play its first postseason contest in franchise history when it visits Colorado, which is looking to return to the mountaintop after capturing the Stanley Cup last year. The Kraken and Avalanche will contest the fifth all-time playoff series between an NHL franchise making their postseason debut and a reigning champion, following the 2009 Conference Quarterfinals (CBJ vs. DET), 1983 Division Semifinals (WSH vs. NYI), 1980 Preliminary Round (HFD vs. MTL) and 1929 Quarterfinals (NYA vs. NYR).