Stats, LLC
EDMONTON, Alberta – The Anaheim Ducks ticked off a lot of boxes in the first two games of their Western Conference second-round series.
They outshot the Edmonton Oilers 76-55 and held captain Connor McDavid (NHL-best 100 points) to just one assist.
The Ducks, however, dropped both contests and are now in desperation mode as the scene shifts to Rogers Place for Game 3 on Sunday.
Despite the series deficit, Anaheim generated more chances, won more faceoffs and had more puck possession. There really isn't much they need to change outside of three key areas:
--They need to get more traffic to the net.
"We didn't have enough net presence on the goaltender, (Cam) Talbot got to see too many pucks," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said.
--They need to stay out of the penalty box. The Oilers have scored three power-play goals over the first two games of the series, and the Ducks' penalty killing percentage through the postseason is a league-low 64 percent.
--Goalie John Gibson needs to match the stellar play of Oilers netminder Talbot. Talbot has been outstanding since getting the hook in a 7-0 loss to San Jose in Game 4 of the first round. Since then, he's got four wins. And when one netminder is playing out of his head, the one at the other end can't afford to give up bad goals. The goal that Gibson surrendered to Andrej Sekera early in Game 2 was one that an NHL goalie has to stop.
After Friday's 2-1 loss, the Ducks were talking about taking a lot of the good things they did into Sunday's game.
"I'd be really disappointed if we didn't play well," said captain Ryan Getzlaf, who has seven points in six playoff games. "We played pretty good hockey tonight. We have to make a few adjustments."
"We just have to keep doing what we're doing," Anaheim right winger Jakob Silfverberg said. "We're doing a lot of good things out there today. The last piece is missing and it's correctable."
As for the Oilers, they were talking like they'd lost Game 2 -- they know they need to be a lot better. They know they can't try to win the series simply by riding on their red-hot goalie.
"If we're going to play like that, it's going to be tough to ask for more from Talb's side," Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom said. "He was really good last night, so we've got to be on our toes to get the next win."
"There's going to be a lot of areas that we have to be better in," Oilers coach Todd McLellan said. "Just the overall intensity has to go up; battles for pucks, 10-foot races, 10-foot competitive situations. So, the good news is we had a great goaltender's performance, we were able to win the game -- now we've got some things to work on."
McLellan said that left winger Drake Caggiula, who left Game 2 with an undisclosed ailment and did not return, is "OK."
Ducks forward Nick Ritchie missed Game 2 with an illness and is questionable to play on Sunday.
With two days off between Games 3 and 4, the Ducks will jet off to Kelowna, B.C. for a mini-retreat rather than stay in hockey-mad Edmonton, where they'd likely get no peace.
The question is, will the retreat feel more like a wake should the Ducks trail three games to none -- or will Sunday give them a glimmer of hope?
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Predators aim to regain form in Game 3 vs. Blues
Stats, LLC
In a best-of-seven series, every road team talks about the need to earn a split in the first two games in order to steal home-ice advantage.
The Nashville Predators did just that in their Western Conference semifinal series with the St. Louis Blues, but they had reason to feel a little empty as they left Scottrade Center on Friday night. Leading 2-1 after Ryan Ellis' early third-period marker, Nashville couldn't hold back St. Louis' late push and allowed pair of goals to drop a 3-2 decision.
It was the first loss in six playoff games for the Predators, who try to regain the lead in the series on Sunday in Game 3 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
"You play some of the best teams in the league and it's tough to win every night," Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne said. "We battled back like we've done so many times and showed a lot of character, but it's a disappointing feeling when they score two goals in the third."
Vladimir Tarasenko spearheaded the Blues' attack in Game 2, scoring their first goal during a five-minute power play late in the first period and then wiring a wrister past Rinne at 16:09 of the third to snap a 2-2 deadlock.
It was a nice comeback for Tarasenko, who didn't make the scoresheet in Game 1 on Wednesday night when Nashville won 4-3. Considering he has accounted for 22 goals in 40 postseason matches, it shouldn't have been all that surprising.
"He's really got his stick going now," St. Louis goalie Jake Allen said of Tarasenko. "I think he was a little frustrated with himself in the first series. He's a premier goal scorer and to not be able to score in the first few games was tough on him and I think he took it to heart."
Tarasenko managed just a goal and two assists in the Blues' 4-1 first-round elimination of Minnesota, although his performance in that series looked better than the statistics suggest. He set up Joel Edmundson's overtime goal in Game 1 and got the first tally of Game 5.
Rinne and the Predators weren't fooled by Tarasenko's low numbers from the Minnesota series.
"He has a great shot for a reason," Rinne said. "He scores a lot of goals. I've got to be aware of when he's on the ice."
Despite its first taste of postseason defeat, Nashville has reason to feel it still has its best hockey ahead. Although they played the majority of each game in St. Louis with just 11 forwards after Kevin Fiala fractured his femur in Game 1 and Vernon Fiddler was ejected in Game 2, the Predators outshot the Blues in both contests and have outhit them as well.
With the next two games at home, Nashville figures to come out of the gate flying, much like St. Louis did in the first two contests. However, the Blues have been a better road team in the last two postseasons, going 6-4 last spring and 3-0 this year.
"We knew it was going to be a long series," Allen said. "I don't think either team thought it would be a sweep for one side or the other. That's going to be rare in these ages."
In a best-of-seven series, every road team talks about the need to earn a split in the first two games in order to steal home-ice advantage.
The Nashville Predators did just that in their Western Conference semifinal series with the St. Louis Blues, but they had reason to feel a little empty as they left Scottrade Center on Friday night. Leading 2-1 after Ryan Ellis' early third-period marker, Nashville couldn't hold back St. Louis' late push and allowed pair of goals to drop a 3-2 decision.
It was the first loss in six playoff games for the Predators, who try to regain the lead in the series on Sunday in Game 3 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
"You play some of the best teams in the league and it's tough to win every night," Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne said. "We battled back like we've done so many times and showed a lot of character, but it's a disappointing feeling when they score two goals in the third."
Vladimir Tarasenko spearheaded the Blues' attack in Game 2, scoring their first goal during a five-minute power play late in the first period and then wiring a wrister past Rinne at 16:09 of the third to snap a 2-2 deadlock.
It was a nice comeback for Tarasenko, who didn't make the scoresheet in Game 1 on Wednesday night when Nashville won 4-3. Considering he has accounted for 22 goals in 40 postseason matches, it shouldn't have been all that surprising.
"He's really got his stick going now," St. Louis goalie Jake Allen said of Tarasenko. "I think he was a little frustrated with himself in the first series. He's a premier goal scorer and to not be able to score in the first few games was tough on him and I think he took it to heart."
Tarasenko managed just a goal and two assists in the Blues' 4-1 first-round elimination of Minnesota, although his performance in that series looked better than the statistics suggest. He set up Joel Edmundson's overtime goal in Game 1 and got the first tally of Game 5.
Rinne and the Predators weren't fooled by Tarasenko's low numbers from the Minnesota series.
"He has a great shot for a reason," Rinne said. "He scores a lot of goals. I've got to be aware of when he's on the ice."
Despite its first taste of postseason defeat, Nashville has reason to feel it still has its best hockey ahead. Although they played the majority of each game in St. Louis with just 11 forwards after Kevin Fiala fractured his femur in Game 1 and Vernon Fiddler was ejected in Game 2, the Predators outshot the Blues in both contests and have outhit them as well.
With the next two games at home, Nashville figures to come out of the gate flying, much like St. Louis did in the first two contests. However, the Blues have been a better road team in the last two postseasons, going 6-4 last spring and 3-0 this year.
"We knew it was going to be a long series," Allen said. "I don't think either team thought it would be a sweep for one side or the other. That's going to be rare in these ages."
Pageau, Guentzel, Crosby named our 'Three Stars of the Night'
NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Jake Gentzel, and Sidney Crosby as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL Playoff games that took place on April 29, 2017.
FIRST STAR - JEAN-GABRIEL PAGEAU, F, OTTAWA SENATORS
Pageau scored his 4th goal of the game 2:54 into the second overtime to give the Senators a 2-0 series lead over the Rangers. Pageau is 2nd player in NHL history to score 4 goals in playoff game, w/ OT winner (also: Joffrey Lupul, 2006 CSF).
SECOND STAR - JAKE GUENTZEL, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Guentzel (7 G in 7 GP) surpassed Bryan Rust (6 G in 23 GP in 2016) for most goals by a Penguins rookie in single postseason. Guentzel and Michel Briere (1970) are the only Penguins rookies in club history to score three game-winning goals in the playoffs. Guentzel is 3rd player since 1943-44 to score 7+ goals in first 7 playoff games, joining Maurice Richard (10) & Dino Ceccarelli (7).
THIRD STAR - SIDNEY CROSBY, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Crosby (0-2—2) tallied his 52nd career multi-point playoff game to pass Mario Lemieux for most in Penguins history.
FIRST STAR - JEAN-GABRIEL PAGEAU, F, OTTAWA SENATORS
Pageau scored his 4th goal of the game 2:54 into the second overtime to give the Senators a 2-0 series lead over the Rangers. Pageau is 2nd player in NHL history to score 4 goals in playoff game, w/ OT winner (also: Joffrey Lupul, 2006 CSF).
SECOND STAR - JAKE GUENTZEL, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Guentzel (7 G in 7 GP) surpassed Bryan Rust (6 G in 23 GP in 2016) for most goals by a Penguins rookie in single postseason. Guentzel and Michel Briere (1970) are the only Penguins rookies in club history to score three game-winning goals in the playoffs. Guentzel is 3rd player since 1943-44 to score 7+ goals in first 7 playoff games, joining Maurice Richard (10) & Dino Ceccarelli (7).
THIRD STAR - SIDNEY CROSBY, F, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Crosby (0-2—2) tallied his 52nd career multi-point playoff game to pass Mario Lemieux for most in Penguins history.
Penguins chase Holtby, beat Capitals to take 2-0 series lead
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) – When Sidney Crosby wasn't beating the Washington Capitals putting the puck through his legs, he was doing it belly down on the ice.
No matter the unconventional plays or style of game, Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are rolling after beating the Capitals 6-2 in Game 2 Saturday night to take a 2-0 lead in the second-round series between the NHL's top two teams. Crosby set up two goals and Phil Kessel and Jake Guentzel each scored two as Pittsburgh chased reigning Vezina Trophy winner and finalist Braden Holtby to go home in total command.
"I think we've got a gritty group out there, scrappy," coach Mike Sullivan said. "It's not perfect by any stretch out there. We're aware of that, we know that. But what I love about this group of players is that they respond the right way and they've shown and ability to do that time and time again and I think this group finds ways to have success."
Success came in the form of another brilliant outing from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced, including 16 in the first period. Sullivan called Fleury the Penguins' best player, and even with Crosby's four points through two games he's not wrong.
Holtby has not been on his game for the Capitals and was pulled after allowing three goals on 14 shots. Barry Trotz could go back to Holtby in a crucial Game 3 Monday night in Pittsburgh after backup Philipp Grubauer allowed two goals on the first four shots he faced in relief.
That's as big a game as Washington will face as just 18 of the previous 87 teams to lose the first two in a best-of-seven series have come back to win, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
"I thought some of the goals he wasn't as sharp as he can be for us," Trotz said of Holtby. "He's a game-changer for us. When he didn't change the game, I just looked to change the mojo a little bit there, that's all."
Fleury hasn't been the Penguins' backbone, serving as the backup to Matt Murray during their Stanley Cup run last year and splitting the duties with the young goalie this season. But the 2009 Cup winner is one of the biggest reasons they're up 2-0 as he has stopped 67 of 71 shots through two games.
"I'm really enjoying this time right now," a smiling Fleury said. "I don't try to overthink stuff, just try and enjoy the game. It's fun to win."
Winning despite being outshot is becoming commonplace for the Penguins, who got opportunistic offense in the form of a short-handed goal from Matt Cullen to open the scoring and then a tip from Evgeni Malkin in the third period that ended any thought of a Capitals comeback. Washington outshot Pittsburgh 36-21 but has nothing to show for it.
The Penguins on the other hand are getting comfortable playing like this after beating the Columbus Blue Jackets in five games in the first round.
"I think that's the biggest thing for us," said Guentzel, who scored on a 2-on-1 and with an empty net and leads the playoffs with seven goals. "When we get those chances, we bear down and those are key goals for us."
Crosby was a one-man goal generator in Game 2. He put the puck between his legs and drew Alex Ovechkin and two defensemen to him before feeding Kessel for his first goal, then got down to block Justin Williams' shot and advanced the puck for a 2-on-1 rush from the ice on Guentzel's goal.
While Crosby brushed that off as a "broken play," Fleury called it a great butterfly move by a guy he knows likes to play pretend goaltender. And Kessel wasn't even surprised to see Crosby make a highlight-reel play.
"You watch it all year, he does that all the time," Kessel said. "You see him out there I think he's the strongest guy in the league on his skates and he knocks the guys off. You always got to be ready."
NOTES: Grubauer finished with two goals on nine shots as Trotz said it was too early to name a Game 3 starter. ... Sullivan didn't have an update on RW Patric Hornqvist, who left the game in the first period after blocking a shot from John Carlson. ... LW Carl Hagelin returned to the Penguins' lineup after being out since March 10 with a lower-body injury. He replaced Scott Wilson. ... RW Paul Carey replaced Brett Connolly in the Capitals' lineup. ... Washington D Karl Alzner remained out with an upper-body injury, though coach Barry Trotz said Alzner was close.
---
More AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey
---
Follow Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno
AP Hockey Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) – When Sidney Crosby wasn't beating the Washington Capitals putting the puck through his legs, he was doing it belly down on the ice.
No matter the unconventional plays or style of game, Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are rolling after beating the Capitals 6-2 in Game 2 Saturday night to take a 2-0 lead in the second-round series between the NHL's top two teams. Crosby set up two goals and Phil Kessel and Jake Guentzel each scored two as Pittsburgh chased reigning Vezina Trophy winner and finalist Braden Holtby to go home in total command.
"I think we've got a gritty group out there, scrappy," coach Mike Sullivan said. "It's not perfect by any stretch out there. We're aware of that, we know that. But what I love about this group of players is that they respond the right way and they've shown and ability to do that time and time again and I think this group finds ways to have success."
Success came in the form of another brilliant outing from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced, including 16 in the first period. Sullivan called Fleury the Penguins' best player, and even with Crosby's four points through two games he's not wrong.
Holtby has not been on his game for the Capitals and was pulled after allowing three goals on 14 shots. Barry Trotz could go back to Holtby in a crucial Game 3 Monday night in Pittsburgh after backup Philipp Grubauer allowed two goals on the first four shots he faced in relief.
That's as big a game as Washington will face as just 18 of the previous 87 teams to lose the first two in a best-of-seven series have come back to win, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
"I thought some of the goals he wasn't as sharp as he can be for us," Trotz said of Holtby. "He's a game-changer for us. When he didn't change the game, I just looked to change the mojo a little bit there, that's all."
Fleury hasn't been the Penguins' backbone, serving as the backup to Matt Murray during their Stanley Cup run last year and splitting the duties with the young goalie this season. But the 2009 Cup winner is one of the biggest reasons they're up 2-0 as he has stopped 67 of 71 shots through two games.
"I'm really enjoying this time right now," a smiling Fleury said. "I don't try to overthink stuff, just try and enjoy the game. It's fun to win."
Winning despite being outshot is becoming commonplace for the Penguins, who got opportunistic offense in the form of a short-handed goal from Matt Cullen to open the scoring and then a tip from Evgeni Malkin in the third period that ended any thought of a Capitals comeback. Washington outshot Pittsburgh 36-21 but has nothing to show for it.
The Penguins on the other hand are getting comfortable playing like this after beating the Columbus Blue Jackets in five games in the first round.
"I think that's the biggest thing for us," said Guentzel, who scored on a 2-on-1 and with an empty net and leads the playoffs with seven goals. "When we get those chances, we bear down and those are key goals for us."
Crosby was a one-man goal generator in Game 2. He put the puck between his legs and drew Alex Ovechkin and two defensemen to him before feeding Kessel for his first goal, then got down to block Justin Williams' shot and advanced the puck for a 2-on-1 rush from the ice on Guentzel's goal.
While Crosby brushed that off as a "broken play," Fleury called it a great butterfly move by a guy he knows likes to play pretend goaltender. And Kessel wasn't even surprised to see Crosby make a highlight-reel play.
"You watch it all year, he does that all the time," Kessel said. "You see him out there I think he's the strongest guy in the league on his skates and he knocks the guys off. You always got to be ready."
NOTES: Grubauer finished with two goals on nine shots as Trotz said it was too early to name a Game 3 starter. ... Sullivan didn't have an update on RW Patric Hornqvist, who left the game in the first period after blocking a shot from John Carlson. ... LW Carl Hagelin returned to the Penguins' lineup after being out since March 10 with a lower-body injury. He replaced Scott Wilson. ... RW Paul Carey replaced Brett Connolly in the Capitals' lineup. ... Washington D Karl Alzner remained out with an upper-body injury, though coach Barry Trotz said Alzner was close.
---
More AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey
---
Follow Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno
Pageau gets fourth goal in 2OT to lift Sens over Rangers 6-5
Associated Press
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) – Jean-Gabriel Pageau might not have seen the goal that capped his `legendary game' for the Ottawa Senators.
Pageau scored a career-high four goals, including the winner 2:54 into the second overtime to lift the Senators to a 6-5 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday, giving Ottawa a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
"I think I closed my eyes when I shot and thankfully it went in," Pageau said of the winner. "I was on a cloud and it's a moment I'll never forget."
The 24-year-old Ottawa native also scored twice in the final 3:19 to tie the score. He tipped Zack Smith's shot past Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist to pull the Senators to 5-4 and then tied it by deflecting a shot by Kyle Turris with 1:02 remaining.
"That last deflection I don't even know how he did that," Lundqvist said. "The way he angled the stick he didn't even know he hit the net I think."
Pageau scored again 2:54 into the second OT, snapping in a shot during a 2-on-1 rush alongside Tommy Wingels. Pageau is the first Senator ever with four goals in a playoff game.
"I thought his quota was full," captain Erik Karlsson said when asked if Pageau was his pick for the double OT winner.
After his OT score, Pageau slid into the end boards, skated to the left corner and was swarmed by teammates. Wingels stopped to scoop the puck out of the goal before joining the pile.
"It's just great to see him get rewarded: four-goal game, overtime winner. It's just a legendary game," teammate Dion Phaneuf said.
The Senators have a 2-0 series lead for just the second time in franchise history, and first since the 2007 Eastern Conference final against Buffalo. They have never swept a four-game series.
Marc Methot and Mark Stone also scored for Ottawa, and Craig Anderson had 43 saves.
Brady Skjei had two goals for New York, his second putting the Rangers up two 5:10 into the third period. Michael Grabner, Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan also scored and Lundqvist stopped 28 shots.
"We played well enough to win this game, there's no question about it so it's really tough to lose this one," Lundqvist said. "Clearly they've gotten the bounces in the first two games. We've just got to go home and regroup. It's a really tough loss being up a couple goals, especially late in the game."
The series heads to New York for Game 3 on Tuesday night.
Ottawa lost Clarke MacArthur to injury and won despite letting Grabner and Stepan score short-handed.
After Karlsson's unlikely tally late in regulation lifted Ottawa in Game 1, the Senators came out flying early in Game 2. Canadian Tire Centre appeared near capacity after more than 2,000 seats were left empty in the opener two nights earlier.
Ottawa had three straight power-play chances early, but it didn't even manage a shot on goal in that time, although Karlsson did hit a post. Mike Hoffman fired a sloppy pass that was picked off by Kevin Hayes at one point and MacArthur dropped another feed to no one in particular.
Grabner got his goal during Ottawa's second power play. Stone couldn't corral a puck that sailed around the boards, and Jesper Fast and Grabner sped away on a successful 2-on-1.
Pageau tied it with 6:01 left in the first, his second of the playoffs. The Ottawa native picked off Dan Girardi's pass in the neutral zone, then beat Lundqvist.
Kreider and Stepan both scored in the middle of the second, then Ottawa pulled within 3-2 on Methot's goal with six minutes to play in the period.
New York re-upped its lead when Skjei sent a seemingly harmless point shot toward goal that caromed off Phaneuf's leg in front. The puck sailed right between Anderson's pads, and the goalie raised his arms in frustration after not having seen it.
Stone got one past Lundqvist less than two minutes into the third, but the Rangers came back a few minutes later to increase the deficit back to two on Skjei's second of the game and fourth of the playoffs.
Karlsson, who's been excelling this spring despite two hairline fractures in his left foot, briefly went to the Ottawa dressing room in apparent discomfort during the middle frame. He returned, but then took a hard hit into the end boards from Ryan McDonagh as the second period expired.
MacArthur also got a heavy check from the Rangers captain late in the first period. He played two shifts in the second and didn't return. The 32-year-old missed most of the last two seasons with concussion problems.
Senators coach Guy Boucher said MacArthur "aggravated" something from Game 1, but was already feeling better afterward.
Karlsson, who played through two hairline fractures in his left foot in the first round, also briefly left the game and looked to be in discomfort throughout. He still logged more than 37 minutes, notched an assist and fired eight attempts on goal.
NOTES: Pageau has two career postseason hat tricks. He scored 12 goals in 82 games for Ottawa this season, and this was his first career overtime score.
---
More AP hockey: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) – Jean-Gabriel Pageau might not have seen the goal that capped his `legendary game' for the Ottawa Senators.
Pageau scored a career-high four goals, including the winner 2:54 into the second overtime to lift the Senators to a 6-5 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday, giving Ottawa a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
"I think I closed my eyes when I shot and thankfully it went in," Pageau said of the winner. "I was on a cloud and it's a moment I'll never forget."
The 24-year-old Ottawa native also scored twice in the final 3:19 to tie the score. He tipped Zack Smith's shot past Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist to pull the Senators to 5-4 and then tied it by deflecting a shot by Kyle Turris with 1:02 remaining.
"That last deflection I don't even know how he did that," Lundqvist said. "The way he angled the stick he didn't even know he hit the net I think."
Pageau scored again 2:54 into the second OT, snapping in a shot during a 2-on-1 rush alongside Tommy Wingels. Pageau is the first Senator ever with four goals in a playoff game.
"I thought his quota was full," captain Erik Karlsson said when asked if Pageau was his pick for the double OT winner.
After his OT score, Pageau slid into the end boards, skated to the left corner and was swarmed by teammates. Wingels stopped to scoop the puck out of the goal before joining the pile.
"It's just great to see him get rewarded: four-goal game, overtime winner. It's just a legendary game," teammate Dion Phaneuf said.
The Senators have a 2-0 series lead for just the second time in franchise history, and first since the 2007 Eastern Conference final against Buffalo. They have never swept a four-game series.
Marc Methot and Mark Stone also scored for Ottawa, and Craig Anderson had 43 saves.
Brady Skjei had two goals for New York, his second putting the Rangers up two 5:10 into the third period. Michael Grabner, Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan also scored and Lundqvist stopped 28 shots.
"We played well enough to win this game, there's no question about it so it's really tough to lose this one," Lundqvist said. "Clearly they've gotten the bounces in the first two games. We've just got to go home and regroup. It's a really tough loss being up a couple goals, especially late in the game."
The series heads to New York for Game 3 on Tuesday night.
Ottawa lost Clarke MacArthur to injury and won despite letting Grabner and Stepan score short-handed.
After Karlsson's unlikely tally late in regulation lifted Ottawa in Game 1, the Senators came out flying early in Game 2. Canadian Tire Centre appeared near capacity after more than 2,000 seats were left empty in the opener two nights earlier.
Ottawa had three straight power-play chances early, but it didn't even manage a shot on goal in that time, although Karlsson did hit a post. Mike Hoffman fired a sloppy pass that was picked off by Kevin Hayes at one point and MacArthur dropped another feed to no one in particular.
Grabner got his goal during Ottawa's second power play. Stone couldn't corral a puck that sailed around the boards, and Jesper Fast and Grabner sped away on a successful 2-on-1.
Pageau tied it with 6:01 left in the first, his second of the playoffs. The Ottawa native picked off Dan Girardi's pass in the neutral zone, then beat Lundqvist.
Kreider and Stepan both scored in the middle of the second, then Ottawa pulled within 3-2 on Methot's goal with six minutes to play in the period.
New York re-upped its lead when Skjei sent a seemingly harmless point shot toward goal that caromed off Phaneuf's leg in front. The puck sailed right between Anderson's pads, and the goalie raised his arms in frustration after not having seen it.
Stone got one past Lundqvist less than two minutes into the third, but the Rangers came back a few minutes later to increase the deficit back to two on Skjei's second of the game and fourth of the playoffs.
Karlsson, who's been excelling this spring despite two hairline fractures in his left foot, briefly went to the Ottawa dressing room in apparent discomfort during the middle frame. He returned, but then took a hard hit into the end boards from Ryan McDonagh as the second period expired.
MacArthur also got a heavy check from the Rangers captain late in the first period. He played two shifts in the second and didn't return. The 32-year-old missed most of the last two seasons with concussion problems.
Senators coach Guy Boucher said MacArthur "aggravated" something from Game 1, but was already feeling better afterward.
Karlsson, who played through two hairline fractures in his left foot in the first round, also briefly left the game and looked to be in discomfort throughout. He still logged more than 37 minutes, notched an assist and fired eight attempts on goal.
NOTES: Pageau has two career postseason hat tricks. He scored 12 goals in 82 games for Ottawa this season, and this was his first career overtime score.
---
More AP hockey: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey
Devils buck odds to win NHL draft lottery; Vegas to pick 6th
”We finally won something,” Shero told The Associated Press by phone shortly after the Devils won the NHL draft lottery on Saturday. ”It’s the first piece of great news the Devils have had for a while to be honest.”
Given only an 8.5 percent chance of winning, the Devils bucked the odds by vaulting four teams including the last-place Colorado Avalanche and expansion Vegas Golden Knights for the right to the first pick in the draft.
Shero wasn’t the only one happily stunned by a lottery that essentially scrambled the bottom half order of the NHL standings.
The Philadelphia Flyers and Dallas Stars made huge jumps in winning the second and third spots. Given just a 2.2 percent chance of winning, the Flyers went from 13th to second. The Stars moved from the eighth spot to third.
”I feel like we had a lot of bad luck this year,” Flyers GM Ron Hextall said. ”Hopefully, in years to come, we’ll look back at this as a huge turning point for us.”
No team has ever made a bigger jump than the Flyers since the lottery was introduced in 1995.
Lady luck certainly wasn’t on the side of the teams who finished with the NHL’s worst records, or the Golden Knights . Vegas will select sixth, moving back three spots from where it was slotted. Vegas and its desert rival Arizona Coyotes were each awarded the third-best odds to win at 10.3 percent.
The Coyotes fell the furthest, moving back to seventh.
Golden Knights general manager George McPhee simply shrugged when asked about the results while in Washington, where he attended Game 2 of the second-round playoff series between the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.
McPhee’s day got off to a bad start when flight delays prevented him from traveling to attend the lottery in Toronto.
And then there’s the Avalanche, who entered with best odds to win the lottery, but fell three spots and will select fourth.
The seven-round draft will be held in Chicago on June 23 and 24.
NHL Central Scouting ranks Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick as its top draft-eligible prospect even though he missed 35 regular-season and four playoff games due to injuries. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Patrick finished with 20 goals and 46 points in 33 games.
A year earlier, Nolan was named the Western Hockey League playoff MVP in leading Brandon to win its first title in 20 years.
Swiss-born forward Nico Hischier is ranked second after earning Quebec Major Junior Hockey League rookie-of-the-year honors playing for Halifax.
The lottery hasn’t been kind to teams finishing last. This was the 11th time the team with the best odds failed to win.
This marks the second time the Devils won the lottery. They also won it in 2011 despite having a 3.6 percent chance after finishing with the eighth fewest points. New Jersey, could only jump four spots under the previous rules.
Shero completed second season in New Jersey, where the Devils are essentially rebuilding from scratch after missing the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year. They finished with 70 points, their fewest in a non-labor-shortened season since managing 66 in 1988-89.
With his biggest fear entering the lottery being the Devils falling back as far as eighth, Shero is now happily facing questions of who he’ll pick.
”I’m a worst-case scenario guy and this is the best-case scenario,” Shero said, noting it’s premature to make any decisions. ”I like the name Nolan, though I like Swiss guys. I like them all.”
The Devils’ franchise has had the first pick once, in 1979, when the then-Colorado Rockies selected Rob Ramage.
The only two teams who retained their positions based on the standings were Tampa Bay, who will select 14th, followed by the Islanders. The remaining 16 draft positions will be determined based on the playoffs.
Moving to third was a great consolation prize for Stars GM Jim Nill, following a season in which he fired coach Lindy Ruff and replaced him with former Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock.
”Nobody wanted to be where we’re at during the season for different reasons, but there are some good things can happen,” Nill said. ”We’re you’re picking, it’s an asset. And our asset value just went up.”
This year’s crop of prospects lacks both the buzz of the previous two year’s draft classes and is also short of top-end defensive depth.
The top-five ranked North American skaters are all centers, including Minnesota-born high-schooler Casey Mittelstadt. The top-two ranked international skaters are both forwards: Russian-born Klim Kostin and Swede Elias Pettersson.
—
AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed from Washington.
—
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey
NHL Playoff Capsules (April 30, 2017)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Cam Talbot made 39 saves, Patrick Maroon scored a power-play goal and the Edmonton Oilers moved halfway to the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 of their second-round series Friday night.
Andrej Sekera scored an early goal for the Oilers, who took the first two games on Pacific Division champion Anaheim’s home ice. Talbot was the difference in Game 2, making all manner of impressive saves while Anaheim dominated the last 30 minutes.
Jakob Silfverberg scored and John Gibson stopped 21 shots for the Ducks, who had gone 18 games without a regulation defeat before this series. Anaheim has never recovered from an 0-2 series deficit, losing all seven series after digging that early hole.
Game 3 is Sunday in Edmonton.
BLUES 3, PREDATORS 2
ST. LOUIS (AP) – Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 3:51 left to help St. Louis tie the Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
Jori Lehtera also scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen stopped 22 shots – including 14 in the third period.
Ryan Ellis had a goal and an assist and James Neal also scored for Nashville, which had its franchise-high five-game postseason winning streak snapped. Pekka Rinne finished with 17 saves.
Game 3 is Sunday at Nashville, Tennessee.
Tarasenko’s game-winner came on lucky bounce. Jaden Schwartz led the rush and initially tried to pass it to Carl Gunnarsson, but the pass was off the mark and bounced off of Gunnarsson’s foot right to Tarasenko’s stick.
It was the first lead for St. Louis in 116:09 of the series.
Andrej Sekera scored an early goal for the Oilers, who took the first two games on Pacific Division champion Anaheim’s home ice. Talbot was the difference in Game 2, making all manner of impressive saves while Anaheim dominated the last 30 minutes.
Jakob Silfverberg scored and John Gibson stopped 21 shots for the Ducks, who had gone 18 games without a regulation defeat before this series. Anaheim has never recovered from an 0-2 series deficit, losing all seven series after digging that early hole.
Game 3 is Sunday in Edmonton.
BLUES 3, PREDATORS 2
ST. LOUIS (AP) – Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 3:51 left to help St. Louis tie the Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
Jori Lehtera also scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen stopped 22 shots – including 14 in the third period.
Ryan Ellis had a goal and an assist and James Neal also scored for Nashville, which had its franchise-high five-game postseason winning streak snapped. Pekka Rinne finished with 17 saves.
Game 3 is Sunday at Nashville, Tennessee.
Tarasenko’s game-winner came on lucky bounce. Jaden Schwartz led the rush and initially tried to pass it to Carl Gunnarsson, but the pass was off the mark and bounced off of Gunnarsson’s foot right to Tarasenko’s stick.
It was the first lead for St. Louis in 116:09 of the series.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Talbot, Tarasenko, Ellis named our 'Three Stars of the Night'
NEW YORK – UNB! Network NHL/hockey blog "The Neutral Zone" has named Cam Talbot, Vladimir Tarasenki, and Ryan Ellis as their 'Three Stars of the Night' for all NHL playoff games taking place on April 28, 2017.
FIRST STAR - CAM TALBOT, G, EDMONTON OILERS
Talbot turned aside 39 of 40 shots he faced as the Oilers left Anaheim with a 2-0 series lead. Talbot earned his fourth consecutive win and improved to 6-2 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs overall.
SECOND STAR - VLADIMIR TARASENKO, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Tarasenko scored the go-ahead goal with 3:51 remaining in regulation as the Blues evened their series at 1-1.
THIRD STAR - RYAN ELLIS, F, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Ellis recorded a goal and an assist in Nashville's Game 2 loss to St. Louis.
FIRST STAR - CAM TALBOT, G, EDMONTON OILERS
Talbot turned aside 39 of 40 shots he faced as the Oilers left Anaheim with a 2-0 series lead. Talbot earned his fourth consecutive win and improved to 6-2 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs overall.
SECOND STAR - VLADIMIR TARASENKO, F, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Tarasenko scored the go-ahead goal with 3:51 remaining in regulation as the Blues evened their series at 1-1.
THIRD STAR - RYAN ELLIS, F, NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Ellis recorded a goal and an assist in Nashville's Game 2 loss to St. Louis.
Speedy Penguins look to keep down Capitals
Stats, LLC
WASHINGTON – The rich could be getting richer as the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins look to take a 2-0 lead over the Washington Capitals in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series when they play Game 2 on Saturday night.
Carl Hagelin, who missed the last 16 games of the regular season and all six playoff contests thus far due to a lower-body injury, was a full-contact participant in Friday's practice.
The forward will be a game-time decision for Saturday's contest.
Hagelin's return would add more speed to a Pittsburgh offense that was outshot 35-21 in a 3-2 win over the Capitals on Thursday night. The Penguins have won 11 of their last 14 playoff games going back to last season.
"It was fun to be out there and it felt good," Hagelin said after Friday's practice. "It's a step in the right direction. It's a day-to-day thing. Hopefully it feels even better (Saturday)."
Hagelin had only six goals and 16 assists in 61 games during the regular season, but recorded three goals and four assists in last season's playoff series win versus Washington.
"Hagy's a great two-way player," teammate Phil Kessel told the team's website. "He's a fast player. He brings speed."
The Capitals, meanwhile, had won five straight series openers before Thursday's setback. They started slowly in Game 1 and eventually fell behind 2-0 when Sidney Crosby opened the second period with two goals in 64 seconds.
Washington rallied to tie the score in the third period and appeared to have the momentum before Pittsburgh's Nick Bonino netted what proved to be the game winner.
"What I like about our group is it was 2-0 and there was no panic," Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said. "There was absolutely no panic and you saw us building momentum and keep coming and coming. I thought we generated enough chances to not only tie it up, but maybe go ahead."
Including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots, the Capitals totaled 83 attempts to 41 for Pittsburgh. The Penguins mustered only 21 shots on net and Braden Holtby said that two of the goals were ones he is capable of stopping.
"I thought he was fine, but he didn't think he was as good as he could be," Trotz said, "But I do know this. Hh is guy who responds and he's going to be better, he's going to be better (Saturday). That's good for us."
Eighty-seven times an NHL team has lost the first two games of a series at home, and only 18 of those teams came back to win the set.
The Penguins will be looking to create more scoring chances Saturday night and therefore keep the puck away from Alex Ovechkin, who scored his fourth goal of the playoffs in Game 1.
"We think we're at our best when we control territory and that's something that we've been working on with our players and talking to our players about," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "And just doing a better job of hanging onto pucks in the offensive zone and forcing teams to have to expend energy defending us."
The Capitals are 14-11 all-time in Game 2 of a series and have posted a 10-6 record in Game 2 when trailing a series.
"They are the Stanley Cup champions so we have to dictate the game," Ovechkin said following the Game 1 defeat. "From the first minute of the game, we have to make a statement. We have to make a push."
WASHINGTON – The rich could be getting richer as the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins look to take a 2-0 lead over the Washington Capitals in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series when they play Game 2 on Saturday night.
Carl Hagelin, who missed the last 16 games of the regular season and all six playoff contests thus far due to a lower-body injury, was a full-contact participant in Friday's practice.
The forward will be a game-time decision for Saturday's contest.
Hagelin's return would add more speed to a Pittsburgh offense that was outshot 35-21 in a 3-2 win over the Capitals on Thursday night. The Penguins have won 11 of their last 14 playoff games going back to last season.
"It was fun to be out there and it felt good," Hagelin said after Friday's practice. "It's a step in the right direction. It's a day-to-day thing. Hopefully it feels even better (Saturday)."
Hagelin had only six goals and 16 assists in 61 games during the regular season, but recorded three goals and four assists in last season's playoff series win versus Washington.
"Hagy's a great two-way player," teammate Phil Kessel told the team's website. "He's a fast player. He brings speed."
The Capitals, meanwhile, had won five straight series openers before Thursday's setback. They started slowly in Game 1 and eventually fell behind 2-0 when Sidney Crosby opened the second period with two goals in 64 seconds.
Washington rallied to tie the score in the third period and appeared to have the momentum before Pittsburgh's Nick Bonino netted what proved to be the game winner.
"What I like about our group is it was 2-0 and there was no panic," Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said. "There was absolutely no panic and you saw us building momentum and keep coming and coming. I thought we generated enough chances to not only tie it up, but maybe go ahead."
Including shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots, the Capitals totaled 83 attempts to 41 for Pittsburgh. The Penguins mustered only 21 shots on net and Braden Holtby said that two of the goals were ones he is capable of stopping.
"I thought he was fine, but he didn't think he was as good as he could be," Trotz said, "But I do know this. Hh is guy who responds and he's going to be better, he's going to be better (Saturday). That's good for us."
Eighty-seven times an NHL team has lost the first two games of a series at home, and only 18 of those teams came back to win the set.
The Penguins will be looking to create more scoring chances Saturday night and therefore keep the puck away from Alex Ovechkin, who scored his fourth goal of the playoffs in Game 1.
"We think we're at our best when we control territory and that's something that we've been working on with our players and talking to our players about," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "And just doing a better job of hanging onto pucks in the offensive zone and forcing teams to have to expend energy defending us."
The Capitals are 14-11 all-time in Game 2 of a series and have posted a 10-6 record in Game 2 when trailing a series.
"They are the Stanley Cup champions so we have to dictate the game," Ovechkin said following the Game 1 defeat. "From the first minute of the game, we have to make a statement. We have to make a push."
Senators playing underdog entering Game 2 vs. Rangers
Stats, LLC
OTTAWA – Even after taking a series lead, the Ottawa Senators were still trying to portray themselves as the underdog in an Eastern Conference semifinal battle against the New York Rangers.
"Their window to win a Stanley Cup is right now, and they have an opportunity right now to win the Cup," Senators winger Alex Burrows said on Friday of the Rangers. "They're not coming in just to play and see what happens."
What happened in Game 1 on Thursday was a 2-1 Ottawa win, thanks to captain Erik Karlsson's tiebreaking goal from behind the goal line that went in off the head of goalie Henrik Lundqvist with 4:11 left in the third period.
Afterward, Senators coach Guy Boucher said his team was motivated by the fear of being swept by the favored Rangers.
"It's a pretty good line," New York coach Alain Vigneault said with a smile Friday. "I'll remember it next time. It's a great line."
Burrows maintained the Senators feel like they're up against a juggernaut.
"They really have the mindset that they have the team to do it and I do believe they have the team to do it," Burrows said. "For us, we had some fear playing them (Thursday). We saw them play against Montreal (in the first round), the best team in our division, and they were able to win that series. We know what to expect. We know they're great team, but yes, we had some fear."
Ottawa outshot the Rangers 43-35 in the opener, with Lundqvist stopping all 21 shots he faced in the first period.
The Senators believe they have to keep firing the rubber at Lundqvist in Game 2, which is set for Saturday afternoon (3 p.m. ET) at Canadian Tire Centre.
"Did we get more shots than we expected to get? Yes," Ottawa coach Guy Boucher said. "But that was our plan. We know we can't beat this guy with 20 shots. We can't even beat him with 30 shots. We're going to need 40 shots and above. Even with over 40 shots and so many high-end scoring chances, we only got two in. That's how it's going to be."
Vigneault indicated he was satisfied with the way his team played 5-on-5, but while both teams were 1-for-4 on the power play, he felt the Senators picked up more momentum during their man-advantage situations.
Vigneault also said he may make lineup changes for Saturday, while Boucher is leaning toward sticking with the same group, even though winger Tom Pyatt has been cleared to return.
Pyatt could have ample opportunities to get back in the lineup over the next two weeks.
"We're prepared for a long series," Rangers center and former Senator Mika Zibanejad said. "We're prepared for a good series. We know it's a good team. If they want to try and low-ball themselves that's up to them, but they're good team, It's going to be a tough team to beat and we've got to make sure we really step it up and bring our A game
"It's an unlucky bounce that turns the game to 2-1 and a win for them. We've got to be on top of our game and make sure the bounces go our way."
OTTAWA – Even after taking a series lead, the Ottawa Senators were still trying to portray themselves as the underdog in an Eastern Conference semifinal battle against the New York Rangers.
"Their window to win a Stanley Cup is right now, and they have an opportunity right now to win the Cup," Senators winger Alex Burrows said on Friday of the Rangers. "They're not coming in just to play and see what happens."
What happened in Game 1 on Thursday was a 2-1 Ottawa win, thanks to captain Erik Karlsson's tiebreaking goal from behind the goal line that went in off the head of goalie Henrik Lundqvist with 4:11 left in the third period.
Afterward, Senators coach Guy Boucher said his team was motivated by the fear of being swept by the favored Rangers.
"It's a pretty good line," New York coach Alain Vigneault said with a smile Friday. "I'll remember it next time. It's a great line."
Burrows maintained the Senators feel like they're up against a juggernaut.
"They really have the mindset that they have the team to do it and I do believe they have the team to do it," Burrows said. "For us, we had some fear playing them (Thursday). We saw them play against Montreal (in the first round), the best team in our division, and they were able to win that series. We know what to expect. We know they're great team, but yes, we had some fear."
Ottawa outshot the Rangers 43-35 in the opener, with Lundqvist stopping all 21 shots he faced in the first period.
The Senators believe they have to keep firing the rubber at Lundqvist in Game 2, which is set for Saturday afternoon (3 p.m. ET) at Canadian Tire Centre.
"Did we get more shots than we expected to get? Yes," Ottawa coach Guy Boucher said. "But that was our plan. We know we can't beat this guy with 20 shots. We can't even beat him with 30 shots. We're going to need 40 shots and above. Even with over 40 shots and so many high-end scoring chances, we only got two in. That's how it's going to be."
Vigneault indicated he was satisfied with the way his team played 5-on-5, but while both teams were 1-for-4 on the power play, he felt the Senators picked up more momentum during their man-advantage situations.
Vigneault also said he may make lineup changes for Saturday, while Boucher is leaning toward sticking with the same group, even though winger Tom Pyatt has been cleared to return.
Pyatt could have ample opportunities to get back in the lineup over the next two weeks.
"We're prepared for a long series," Rangers center and former Senator Mika Zibanejad said. "We're prepared for a good series. We know it's a good team. If they want to try and low-ball themselves that's up to them, but they're good team, It's going to be a tough team to beat and we've got to make sure we really step it up and bring our A game
"It's an unlucky bounce that turns the game to 2-1 and a win for them. We've got to be on top of our game and make sure the bounces go our way."
News & Notes: Cam Talbot stars again for Oilers
Cam Talbot turned aside 39 of 40 shots he faced as the Edmonton Oilers headed home with a 2-0 lead against the Anaheim Ducks in their Western Conference Second Round series after a 2-1 win at Honda Center.
* The Oilers took a 2-0 series lead on the road for the fifth time in franchise playoff history, including twice against the Ducks (also 1981 PRE at MTL, 1988 DF at CGY, 1990 F at BOS and 2006 CF at ANA). Edmonton went on to win each series.
* Talbot earned his fourth consecutive win and improved to 6-2 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (2.03 GAA, .934 SV%, 2 SO).
* Per the Elias Sports Bureau, teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-7 series own an all-time series record of 309-48 (86.6%), while teams that do so on the road own an all-time record of 69-18 (79.3%).
FRIDAY'S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
ST. LOUIS 3, Nashville 2 - series tied 1-1
Edmonton 2, ANAHEIM 1 - EDM leads 2-0
TARASENKO, BLUES EVEN SERIES AT 1-1
Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice, including the go-ahead goal with 3:51 remaining in the third period, as the St. Louis Blues rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to hand the Nashville Predators their first loss of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs and even their series at 1-1.
* Tarasenko scored his 21st and 22nd career playoff goals (all w/ St. Louis) to surpass Brian Sutter and Red Berenson (21) for sole possession of third on the franchise's all-time list, trailing only Brett Hull (67) and Bernie Federko (35).
* Tarasenko also recorded his sixth career multigoal game in the postseason; only Hull (13) and Federko (7) have more in franchise playoff history.
* Elias notes that when teams are tied 1-1 in a best-of-7 series, the winner of Game 3 owns an all-time series record of 204-99 (67.3%).
DID YOU KNOW?
Five of six games in the second round have featured a go-ahead, game-winning goal in the final eight minutes of regulation.
Game-Winning Goals in Second Round of 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs
12:36 of third period: Nick Bonino (PIT)
14:55 of third period: Vernon Fiddler (NSH)
15:20 of third period: Adam Larsson (EDM)
15:49 of third period: Erik Karlsson (OTT)
16:09 of third period: Vladimir Tarasenko (STL)
* Overall, there have been 14 go-ahead, game-winning goals scored in the third period this postseason, including six in the final five minutes of regulation.
* Elias adds that 20 of 48 games in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs have seen the winning team overcome a deficit (41.7%), 33 have been decided by one goal (68.8%) and another six have been decided by two goals following an empty-net goal (combined, 81.3%).
LOOSE PUCKS
Oilers forward Patrick Maroon scored the game-winning goal against his former club. … Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (1-1-2) extended his point streak to five games (2-5-7), the longest such run by a defenseman in franchise playoff history. … The Ducks lost consecutive games losses for the first time since Oct. 13-15, their first two games of the 2016-17 season. … The Carolina Hurricanes acquired goaltender Scott Darling from the Blackhawks in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.
SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY'S ACTION
All Times Eastern
NY Rangers @ Ottawa, OTT leads 1-0, 3 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports 2, NBC
Pittsburgh @ Washington, PIT leads 1-0, 8 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports, NBC
2017 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY TAKES PLACE TONIGHT
The 2017 NHL Draft Lottery, a weighted system utilized to determine the order of selection for the first 15 picks in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft, will be held tonight in Toronto (8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, TVA Sports).
The 2017 NHL Draft Lottery will consist of three drawings: the 1st Lottery Draw will determine the club selecting first overall, the 2nd Lottery Draw will determine the club selecting second overall and the 3rd Lottery Draw will determine the club selecting third overall.
Participants in the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery include the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, who begin play in 2017-18, and the 14 teams that did not qualify for the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (or the clubs that have acquired the first-round picks of those non-playoff teams).
The allocation of odds for the 1st Lottery Draw is as follows:
1. Colorado Avalanche: 18.0%
2. Vancouver Canucks: 12.1%
t-3. Arizona Coyotes: 10.3%
t-3. Vegas Golden Knights: 10.3%*
5. New Jersey Devils: 8.5%
6. Buffalo Sabres: 7.6%
7. Detroit Red Wings: 6.7%
8. Dallas Stars: 5.8%
9. Florida Panthers: 5.4%
10. Los Angeles Kings: 4.5%
11. Carolina Hurricanes: 3.2%
12. Winnipeg Jets: 2.7%
13. Philadelphia Flyers: 2.2%
14. Tampa Bay Lightning: 1.8%
15. New York Islanders: 0.9%
*VGK assigned same lottery odds as team finishing 2016-17 regular season in 28th place
The odds for the remaining teams will increase on a proportionate basis for the 2nd Lottery Draw, based on which club wins the 1st Lottery Draw, and again for the 3rd Lottery Draw, based on which team wins the 2nd Lottery Draw.
Hurricanes Acquire Scott Darling from Chicago
"Scott had a very successful season in Chicago and was a big part of the Blackhawks finishing with the best record in the Western Conference," said Francis. "He played a critical role on Chicago's 2015 championship team."
Darling, 28, went 18-5-5, with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 32 games played for Chicago in 2016-17. He recorded the decision in each of his career-high 27 starts (18-5-4), with his lone non-start decision coming as an overtime loss on March 21 against Vancouver after he entered a 4-1 game just moments into the third period. Darling's .924 save percentage in 2016-17 ranked tied for fourth among all NHL goaltenders who started more than 25 games.
Born in Newport News, VA, but raised in Lamont, IL, Darling (6'6", 232 lbs.) made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on Oct. 26, 2015. In 75 career NHL games with Chicago, he has posted a 39-17-9 record, a 2.37 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. In 2015, Darling went 3-1 in five opening-round playoff appearances against Nashville, helping the Blackhawks win their first-round series en route to their third Stanley Cup championship in six years. Originally drafted by the Coyotes in the sixth round, 153rd overall, in the 2007 NHL Draft, Darling played two seasons at the University of Maine before turning professional. Before making his NHL debut, he played games at nearly every North American professional level, including the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), ECHL, Central Hockey League (CHL) and American Hockey League (AHL).
Cam Talbot carries Oilers past Ducks 2-1, to 2-0 series lead
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Hockey Writer
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – While the Anaheim Ducks dominated the puck and peppered the Edmonton net with shots over the final 2 1/2 periods, Cam Talbot stood tall - when he wasn't sprawling, diving or gloving everything in sight.
While Connor McDavid is getting most of the attention during the Oilers' impressive Stanley Cup playoff run this spring, their hardworking goalie is doing much of the hard work to keep them sailing forward.
Talbot made 39 saves, Patrick Maroon scored a power-play goal and Edmonton moved halfway to the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 victory over Anaheim in Game 2 of their second-round series Friday night.
Andrej Sekera scored an early goal for the Oilers, who took the first two games on Pacific Division champion Anaheim's home ice. Talbot got credit from both teams for the result in Game 2, making all manner of impressive saves while Anaheim dominated the last 30 minutes.
"I felt good off the start," Talbot said. "I made some big saves early. It kind of gets you in the game. We get a big goal early, which really helped, too. We started the game the way we wanted to start it. Down the stretch, we bent but we didn't break, and that's the sign of a good team."
Game 3 is Sunday in Edmonton.
Edmonton's first playoff appearance in 11 years is off to a rollicking start, with the Oilers following up their six-game defeat of defending Western Conference champion San Jose by taking two games from the five-time champions of their division.
Everybody in hockey knows McDavid is in his first postseason run after winning the NHL scoring title, but Talbot had just two games of backup playoff experience in his entire career before this spring. He followed up a two-shutout first round against San Jose and a wild Game 1 victory in Anaheim by protecting a lead for nearly 59 full minutes in Game 2.
Although the Ducks dominated long stretches of play in both contests, Talbot stopped 72 of 76 shots in the first two games in Anaheim. The Ducks also hit multiple posts in Game 2, but nothing could get by Talbot, who made most of his tough saves well before the final eight minutes.
"He has had some really good games," Maroon said. "Two shutouts the last series against San Jose? I mean, he's been excellent for us. And like I tell him all the time, goalies are supposed to stop the puck."
Jakob Silfverberg scored and John Gibson stopped 21 shots for the Ducks, who had gone 18 games without a regulation defeat before this series. Anaheim has never recovered from an 0-2 series deficit, losing all seven series after digging that early hole.
Anaheim has lost two straight games after an 18-game run since March 10 without a regulation defeat. Perhaps that's why the Ducks' second straight loss at home barely caused a flicker of apparent concern in their calm dressing room.
"We've just got to keep doing what we're doing," said Silfverberg, who scored Anaheim's only goal through a screen. "We're doing a lot of good stuff out there, and it's the last piece that's missing, and it's correctable. We've got to make sure that we've got more bodies in front of the net. We're taking a lot of shots, but he's a good goalie, so we've got to make sure to push him back in the net and get in front of him."
After a four-goal third period in the series opener, the Oilers entered the rematch with plenty of the same energy. The sellout crowd was still finding its seats when Sekera scored just 65 seconds into Game 2, slipping a long shot past Gibson for the defenseman's second career postseason goal and his first since 2011.
Anaheim gradually turned the period in its favor, but couldn't score. Edmonton also had golden chances, such as McDavid getting alone and untouched in front of Gibson during a power play, but couldn't cash in.
Honda Center fell silent when Jordan Eberle's puck toward the net hit Maroon's skate and arched over Gibson for the power forward's second goal of the playoffs. Maroon spent two productive seasons with the Ducks before they gave up on him in February 2016, but he has reinvigorated his career up north with a 42-point regular season.
The Ducks kept up their pressure and finally beat Talbot on the power play with a typically wicked wrist shot by Silfverberg. The Swede got his fourth goal of the postseason, matching his career high from the 2015 playoffs in 10 fewer games.
The Ducks again played without two top defensemen. Sami Vatanen missed his fifth straight game with an upper-body injury, while Kevin Bieksa sat out with an upper-body injury incurred during Game 1.
NOTES: Edmonton F Drake Caggiula played just one shift after the first period, apparently due to an injury. ... The Ducks scratched F Nick Ritchie with an apparent case of the flu. Jared Boll replaced him, appearing in the fourth playoff game of his 10-year NHL career. ... The Ducks lost the first two games of a series at home twice in the previous three postseasons, eventually losing those series to Nashville and Los Angeles.
AP Hockey Writer
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – While the Anaheim Ducks dominated the puck and peppered the Edmonton net with shots over the final 2 1/2 periods, Cam Talbot stood tall - when he wasn't sprawling, diving or gloving everything in sight.
While Connor McDavid is getting most of the attention during the Oilers' impressive Stanley Cup playoff run this spring, their hardworking goalie is doing much of the hard work to keep them sailing forward.
Talbot made 39 saves, Patrick Maroon scored a power-play goal and Edmonton moved halfway to the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 victory over Anaheim in Game 2 of their second-round series Friday night.
Andrej Sekera scored an early goal for the Oilers, who took the first two games on Pacific Division champion Anaheim's home ice. Talbot got credit from both teams for the result in Game 2, making all manner of impressive saves while Anaheim dominated the last 30 minutes.
"I felt good off the start," Talbot said. "I made some big saves early. It kind of gets you in the game. We get a big goal early, which really helped, too. We started the game the way we wanted to start it. Down the stretch, we bent but we didn't break, and that's the sign of a good team."
Game 3 is Sunday in Edmonton.
Edmonton's first playoff appearance in 11 years is off to a rollicking start, with the Oilers following up their six-game defeat of defending Western Conference champion San Jose by taking two games from the five-time champions of their division.
Everybody in hockey knows McDavid is in his first postseason run after winning the NHL scoring title, but Talbot had just two games of backup playoff experience in his entire career before this spring. He followed up a two-shutout first round against San Jose and a wild Game 1 victory in Anaheim by protecting a lead for nearly 59 full minutes in Game 2.
Although the Ducks dominated long stretches of play in both contests, Talbot stopped 72 of 76 shots in the first two games in Anaheim. The Ducks also hit multiple posts in Game 2, but nothing could get by Talbot, who made most of his tough saves well before the final eight minutes.
"He has had some really good games," Maroon said. "Two shutouts the last series against San Jose? I mean, he's been excellent for us. And like I tell him all the time, goalies are supposed to stop the puck."
Jakob Silfverberg scored and John Gibson stopped 21 shots for the Ducks, who had gone 18 games without a regulation defeat before this series. Anaheim has never recovered from an 0-2 series deficit, losing all seven series after digging that early hole.
Anaheim has lost two straight games after an 18-game run since March 10 without a regulation defeat. Perhaps that's why the Ducks' second straight loss at home barely caused a flicker of apparent concern in their calm dressing room.
"We've just got to keep doing what we're doing," said Silfverberg, who scored Anaheim's only goal through a screen. "We're doing a lot of good stuff out there, and it's the last piece that's missing, and it's correctable. We've got to make sure that we've got more bodies in front of the net. We're taking a lot of shots, but he's a good goalie, so we've got to make sure to push him back in the net and get in front of him."
After a four-goal third period in the series opener, the Oilers entered the rematch with plenty of the same energy. The sellout crowd was still finding its seats when Sekera scored just 65 seconds into Game 2, slipping a long shot past Gibson for the defenseman's second career postseason goal and his first since 2011.
Anaheim gradually turned the period in its favor, but couldn't score. Edmonton also had golden chances, such as McDavid getting alone and untouched in front of Gibson during a power play, but couldn't cash in.
Honda Center fell silent when Jordan Eberle's puck toward the net hit Maroon's skate and arched over Gibson for the power forward's second goal of the playoffs. Maroon spent two productive seasons with the Ducks before they gave up on him in February 2016, but he has reinvigorated his career up north with a 42-point regular season.
The Ducks kept up their pressure and finally beat Talbot on the power play with a typically wicked wrist shot by Silfverberg. The Swede got his fourth goal of the postseason, matching his career high from the 2015 playoffs in 10 fewer games.
The Ducks again played without two top defensemen. Sami Vatanen missed his fifth straight game with an upper-body injury, while Kevin Bieksa sat out with an upper-body injury incurred during Game 1.
NOTES: Edmonton F Drake Caggiula played just one shift after the first period, apparently due to an injury. ... The Ducks scratched F Nick Ritchie with an apparent case of the flu. Jared Boll replaced him, appearing in the fourth playoff game of his 10-year NHL career. ... The Ducks lost the first two games of a series at home twice in the previous three postseasons, eventually losing those series to Nashville and Los Angeles.
Tarasenko scores 2, Blues beat Predators 3-2 to even series
By JOE HARRIS
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) – Vladimir Tarasenko was at the right place at the right time to take advantage of a lucky bounce and help the St. Louis Blues get a big win.
Tarasenko scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 3:51 left to give the Blues a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night, tying their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
On the go-ahead goal, Jaden Schwartz led the rush and initially tried to pass it to Joel Edmundson, but the pass was off the mark and Edmundson kicked it right to Tarasenko's stick.
"It's a great play by Schwartzy and then I probably scream for Eddy to give it to me and he made a good play," Tarasenko said. "It's a good goal for us. We lost the first game, we couldn't lose this one."
It was the first lead for St. Louis in 116:09 of the series.
"It ended up actually going off a stick and in, but I'm not taking anything away from him (Tarasenko)," Predators goalie Pekka Rinne said. "He has a great shot for a reason."
Jori Lehtera also scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen stopped 22 shots - including 14 in the third period.
Ryan Ellis had a goal and an assist and James Neal also scored for the Predators, who had their franchise-high five-game postseason winning streak snapped. Rinne finished with 17 saves.
Game 3 is Sunday at Nashville, Tennessee.
Tarasenko, who scored 39 goals in the regular season, had scored just once in the Blues' first five playoff games.
"He's just a big game player and those kinds of guys find ways to make big plays at big times," Blues coach Mike Yeo said. "My only concern was that if he continued to play well and didn't get rewarded that his game would drop. And he has shown me that he hasn't done that."
Blues defenseman Colton Parayko said Tarasenko should be measured by more than just goal-scoring.
"He's always doing the little things right," Parayko said. "He's always working hard, he's shoving pucks in and he's always making our team better."
Ellis put the Predators ahead 2-1 at 3:07 of the third period as he took advantage of a turnover by Vladimir Sobotka and fired a slap shot past Allen.
"I don't think we expected to win 16 games straight and walk to a Stanley Cup," Ellis said after Nashville's first loss of the postseason. "We were bound to lose a game. Obviously, I thought we played a decent game but probably didn't deserve to win that one and obviously didn't win that one."
Lehtera tied it at 7:39. Parayko's shot came loose in front of the net and Patrik Berglund took a whack at it before Lehtera buried it for his first goal of the postseason.
Neal gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 7:49 of the first period. Ellis took the shot from the point and it deflected off Colton Sissons and then Neal before deflecting over Allen and into the net.
Tarasenko tied it 1-1 with a power-play goal with 19.4 seconds left in the opening period. It came after Nashville's Vernon Fiddler received a 5-minute major and game misconduct penalty for kneeing Parayko, who limped to the locker room but returned in the second period.
"That's a dangerous play," Blues forward Paul Stastny said. "We're fortunate that (Parayko) didn't' get too banged up. ... I think for such a big guy, I think he's a fluid mover so when he does get hit in different positions like that he doesn't stiffen up."
It was the Blues' lone power-play goal in five chances. St. Louis is just 2 for 21 with the man-advantage, last among all postseason teams.
"I think we just get too excited to go on the power play and everybody tries to be too nice and tries to make good plays," Tarasenko said. "I think we need to be more simple."
IN THE CROWD
Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan, who has a house in Nashville, attended the game wearing a Predators jersey.
NOTES: Predators D P.K. Subban, a Toronto native, spent Thursday's day off at Busch Stadium watching the Blue Jays play the Cardinals in an interleague doubleheader. ... Nashville recalled G Marek Mazanec from Milwaukee (AHL) on Thursday. ... Blues F Ivan Barbashev was in the lineup after sitting out Game 1, replacing F Magnus Paajarvi, who was a healthy scratch.
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) – Vladimir Tarasenko was at the right place at the right time to take advantage of a lucky bounce and help the St. Louis Blues get a big win.
Tarasenko scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 3:51 left to give the Blues a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night, tying their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
On the go-ahead goal, Jaden Schwartz led the rush and initially tried to pass it to Joel Edmundson, but the pass was off the mark and Edmundson kicked it right to Tarasenko's stick.
"It's a great play by Schwartzy and then I probably scream for Eddy to give it to me and he made a good play," Tarasenko said. "It's a good goal for us. We lost the first game, we couldn't lose this one."
It was the first lead for St. Louis in 116:09 of the series.
"It ended up actually going off a stick and in, but I'm not taking anything away from him (Tarasenko)," Predators goalie Pekka Rinne said. "He has a great shot for a reason."
Jori Lehtera also scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen stopped 22 shots - including 14 in the third period.
Ryan Ellis had a goal and an assist and James Neal also scored for the Predators, who had their franchise-high five-game postseason winning streak snapped. Rinne finished with 17 saves.
Game 3 is Sunday at Nashville, Tennessee.
Tarasenko, who scored 39 goals in the regular season, had scored just once in the Blues' first five playoff games.
"He's just a big game player and those kinds of guys find ways to make big plays at big times," Blues coach Mike Yeo said. "My only concern was that if he continued to play well and didn't get rewarded that his game would drop. And he has shown me that he hasn't done that."
Blues defenseman Colton Parayko said Tarasenko should be measured by more than just goal-scoring.
"He's always doing the little things right," Parayko said. "He's always working hard, he's shoving pucks in and he's always making our team better."
Ellis put the Predators ahead 2-1 at 3:07 of the third period as he took advantage of a turnover by Vladimir Sobotka and fired a slap shot past Allen.
"I don't think we expected to win 16 games straight and walk to a Stanley Cup," Ellis said after Nashville's first loss of the postseason. "We were bound to lose a game. Obviously, I thought we played a decent game but probably didn't deserve to win that one and obviously didn't win that one."
Lehtera tied it at 7:39. Parayko's shot came loose in front of the net and Patrik Berglund took a whack at it before Lehtera buried it for his first goal of the postseason.
Neal gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 7:49 of the first period. Ellis took the shot from the point and it deflected off Colton Sissons and then Neal before deflecting over Allen and into the net.
Tarasenko tied it 1-1 with a power-play goal with 19.4 seconds left in the opening period. It came after Nashville's Vernon Fiddler received a 5-minute major and game misconduct penalty for kneeing Parayko, who limped to the locker room but returned in the second period.
"That's a dangerous play," Blues forward Paul Stastny said. "We're fortunate that (Parayko) didn't' get too banged up. ... I think for such a big guy, I think he's a fluid mover so when he does get hit in different positions like that he doesn't stiffen up."
It was the Blues' lone power-play goal in five chances. St. Louis is just 2 for 21 with the man-advantage, last among all postseason teams.
"I think we just get too excited to go on the power play and everybody tries to be too nice and tries to make good plays," Tarasenko said. "I think we need to be more simple."
IN THE CROWD
Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan, who has a house in Nashville, attended the game wearing a Predators jersey.
NOTES: Predators D P.K. Subban, a Toronto native, spent Thursday's day off at Busch Stadium watching the Blue Jays play the Cardinals in an interleague doubleheader. ... Nashville recalled G Marek Mazanec from Milwaukee (AHL) on Thursday. ... Blues F Ivan Barbashev was in the lineup after sitting out Game 1, replacing F Magnus Paajarvi, who was a healthy scratch.
NHL Playoff Capsules (April 29, 2017)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Cam Talbot made 39 saves, Patrick Maroon scored a power-play goal and the Edmonton Oilers moved halfway to the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 of their second-round series Friday night.
Andrej Sekera scored an early goal for the Oilers, who took the first two games on Pacific Division champion Anaheim’s home ice. Talbot was the difference in Game 2, making all manner of impressive saves while Anaheim dominated the last 30 minutes.
Jakob Silfverberg scored and John Gibson stopped 21 shots for the Ducks, who had gone 18 games without a regulation defeat before this series. Anaheim has never recovered from an 0-2 series deficit, losing all seven series after digging that early hole.
Game 3 is Sunday in Edmonton.
BLUES 3, PREDATORS 2
ST. LOUIS (AP) – Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 3:51 left to help St. Louis tie the Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
Jori Lehtera also scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen stopped 22 shots – including 14 in the third period.
Ryan Ellis had a goal and an assist and James Neal also scored for Nashville, which had its franchise-high five-game postseason winning streak snapped. Pekka Rinne finished with 17 saves.
Game 3 is Sunday at Nashville, Tennessee.
Tarasenko’s game-winner came on lucky bounce. Jaden Schwartz led the rush and initially tried to pass it to Carl Gunnarsson, but the pass was off the mark and bounced off of Gunnarsson’s foot right to Tarasenko’s stick.
It was the first lead for St. Louis in 116:09 of the series.
Andrej Sekera scored an early goal for the Oilers, who took the first two games on Pacific Division champion Anaheim’s home ice. Talbot was the difference in Game 2, making all manner of impressive saves while Anaheim dominated the last 30 minutes.
Jakob Silfverberg scored and John Gibson stopped 21 shots for the Ducks, who had gone 18 games without a regulation defeat before this series. Anaheim has never recovered from an 0-2 series deficit, losing all seven series after digging that early hole.
Game 3 is Sunday in Edmonton.
BLUES 3, PREDATORS 2
ST. LOUIS (AP) – Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 3:51 left to help St. Louis tie the Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
Jori Lehtera also scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen stopped 22 shots – including 14 in the third period.
Ryan Ellis had a goal and an assist and James Neal also scored for Nashville, which had its franchise-high five-game postseason winning streak snapped. Pekka Rinne finished with 17 saves.
Game 3 is Sunday at Nashville, Tennessee.
Tarasenko’s game-winner came on lucky bounce. Jaden Schwartz led the rush and initially tried to pass it to Carl Gunnarsson, but the pass was off the mark and bounced off of Gunnarsson’s foot right to Tarasenko’s stick.
It was the first lead for St. Louis in 116:09 of the series.
Friday, April 28, 2017
News & Notes: Nick Bonino scores winning goal for Penguins in Game 1 vs. Capitals
Sidney Crosby scored twice in a span of 52 seconds to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 2-0 lead, but Alex Ovechkin got the first of two straight Washington Capitals goals to help even the score, setting the stage for the Penguins' Nick Bonino to score the game-winning goal in the third period for a 3-2 win in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Second Round series.
* Bonino scored his sixth game-winning goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and second against the Capitals. He scored the series-clinching overtime goal in Game 6 of the 2016 second round against the Capitals, inspiring the famous "Bonino! Bonino! Bonino!" call by play-by-play broadcaster Harnarayan Singh.
* Crosby scored each of his goals in the opening 1:04 of the second period, including one 12 seconds into the period that equaled the Penguins playoff record for fastest goal to start a period. Crosby scored 12 seconds into the first period of Game 3 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at the Ottawa Senators. Crosby scored the fastest two goals by one player to start a period in Penguins playoff history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
* Crosby, who has at least one point in each of his past five games (4-5-9), had his 51st multipoint NHL playoff game to tie Mario Lemieux for the most in Penguins history and surpass Jaromir Jagr (50) for the most among active NHL players.
* Crosby has collected 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 14 NHL playoff games against the Capitals (1.21 PPG), while Ovechkin has 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in those games (1.57 PPG).
THURSDAY'S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
OTTAWA 2, NY Rangers 1 - OTT leads 1-0
Pittsburgh 3, WASHINGTON 2 - PIT leads 1-0
KARLSSON'S LATE GOAL GIVES SENATORS GAME 1 VICTORY
Erik Karlsson scored the go-ahead goal from the Rangers goal line with 4:11 left in the third period to lift the Ottawa Senators to a 1-0 series lead on home ice.
* Karlsson, who scored his first NHL playoff game-winning goal in his 36th postseason game, leads all skaters an average ice time of 30:11 per game and all defensemen with seven points (one goal, six assists) in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was tied for second among defensemen with five game-winning goals during the regular season, one behind Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks.
* Karlsson became the second Senators defenseman to score a game-winning goal in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, joining Dion Phaneuf, who did it against the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round. The last time the Senators had at least two defensemen score a winning goal in the postseason was 2007, when a franchise-record four defensemen scored game-winners to help the Senators reach the Stanley Cup Final.
LATE GOALS STAND AS WINNERS YET AGAIN
All four games in the second round have featured a go-ahead, game-winning goal in the final eight minutes of the third period.
Game-Winning Goals in Second Round of 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs
12:36 of third period: Nick Bonino (PIT)
14:55 of third period: Vernon Fiddler (NSH)
15:20 of third period: Adam Larsson (EDM)
15:49 of third period: Erik Karlsson (OTT)
* Overall there have been 13 go-ahead, game-winning goals scored in the third period this postseason, including five in the final five minutes.
FOLIGNO, GETZLAF AND GIORDANO NAMED FINALISTS FOR MESSIER AWARD
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno, Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf and Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano are the finalists for the 2016-17 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, which is presented "to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season."
Mark Messier solicits suggestions from club and League personnel as well as NHL fans to compile a list of potential candidates for the award. However, the selection of the three finalists and ultimate winner is Messier's alone.
The winner of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, as well as the winners of the NHL Foundation Player Award and King Clancy Memorial Trophy, will be announced at the 2017 NHL Humanitarian Awards, a special event at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas that will honor the League's leaders both on and off the ice, on Tuesday, June 20. The winners of the 2017 NHL Humanitarian Awards also will be recognized the following day at the 2017 NHL Awards at T-Mobile Arena.
LOOSE PUCKS
Henrik Lundqvist (41 saves) stopped all 21 shots he faced in the opening frame, a personal NHL playoff career high for any period. Elias notes that in the NHL expansion era (since 1967-68), the only Rangers goaltender with more saves in the first period of a playoff game was Ed Giacomin (22) in Game 4 of the 1968 Quarterfinals at the Chicago Blackhawks. … Senators goaltender Craig Anderson made 34 saves to improve to 5-2 with a 1.81 goals-against average, .930 save percentage and one shutout in seven playoff games. … Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves, including a series of stops late in the third period, to improve to 5-1 with a 2.43 GAA and .934 save percentage in six playoff games. … The Penguins won Game 1 against the Capitals for the second time in 10 all-time playoff meetings; they also won 7-0 in Game 1 of the 2000 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. … Former television personality David Letterman was part of the crowd at Verizon Center for Game 1 between the Penguins and Capitals.
SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY'S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Nashville @ St. Louis, NSH leads 1-0, 8 p.m., ET, CBC, TVA Sports, NBCSN
Edmonton @ Anaheim, EDM leads 1-0, 10:30 p.m. ET, SN, TVA Sports, NBCSN
- NHL Public Relations
Letestu emerging as hired gun on Oilers' PP
By Frank Seravalli / TSN.ca
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The official slogan on the sign that welcomes you to
Mark Letestu’s hometown of Elk Point, Alta., reads:
“The Right Place to
Be.”
Letestu recited it the second he was quizzed on Thursday.
“A little bit of irony, I guess,” Letestu said. “That’s kind of the story of my two goals in Game 1: right place, right time.”
Somehow, on a unit loaded with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Milan Lucic, the undrafted free agent centre Letestu has emerged as the hired gun for the Edmonton Oilers’ power play.
Letestu made the Ducks pay for undisciplined play w hen he banged in two rebounds from nearly the same exact spot on the Honda Center ice, helping the Oilers jump out to a one-game lead in their best-of-seven second round series. Letestu now accounts for three of Edmonton’s four power play goals scored this spring. Fourteen of his 19 goals this y ear have now come with the man advantage, nearly tripling his previous career high.
“This is new territory for me,” Letestu said, smiling.
Not bad for a Swiss Army Knife player whose teammates sometimes poke fun of his name even being on the power play lineup chart. On these Oilers, it’s almost a game of Which one of these is not like the others?
Letestu matched Evgeni Malkin ($9.5 million), Logan Couture ($6M), Tyler Seguin ($5.75M), Nick Foligno ($5.5M) and Mat t Moulson ($5M) in power-play goals in the regular season. Letestu, 32 , earned $1.8 million this year.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT - PP GOALS VS. SALARY
“We crack jokes about it all the time,” Letestu said. “At times, I feel like I have to defend myself. I feel I’m a good player. I’ ve played the power play every stop I’ve been. Just this year, the amount of success that’s come my way is a little different than it’s been.
“People start asking me ‘How is a fourth line centre doing it?’”
The answer, Letestu said, is simple. He is paid to pull the trigger, which is surprising in its own right considering his shot is n’t the most accurate or the hardest.
“It’s just a willingness to shoot the puck,” Letest u said. “We’ve got a lot on that power play that are playmakers: Connor and Leo n especially. They are pass-first guys. I know when the puck gets to m e - deliver it. There’s no trying to place it anywhere. You just try to hit it as hard as you can and hope it gets over his pads.”
It’s gone over the goaltender’s pads at an astoundi ng rate for Letestu. His career ratio of 30 power-play goals to 46 at ev en strength is virtually unmatched among forwards , according to Hockey-Refe rence.com, given the relative few goals he’s scored in almost 500 ca reer games. You would have to look back to former Oiler specialist Marc-Andre Bergeron as the last defenceman with numbers that tilted tow ard the power play.
“‘Test’ doesn’t defer to others on that power play, ” coach Todd McLellan said. “The fact he doesn’t makes that work.”
Letestu said he learned pretty quickly playing on t he power play in Pittsburgh with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin that every successful unit needs that “certain element” of a shooter.
“It’s not in their makeup. It’s in their DNA to loo k for the play all the time,” Letestu said. “It’s my job to shoot. I’m not going to carry the mail a lot of the time, but I still have to make the play when it comes to me. It’s kind of simple for me in the recipe part, but the results a ren’t that simple.”
That adaptation and awareness is what McLellan said he has learned to really appreciate in Letestu.
“If I was going to pick an individual in the locker room that might eventually lead a team somewhere or coach, using hi s hockey acumen or IQ, it would be Test,” McLellan said. “He can ma ke adjustments personally, he can make adjustments with the group, he sees it happening, he sees concepts. He fits that [power pl ay] group well physically and mentally.”
Part of his fit is timing and feel. Being in the right place at the right time is no accident. Part of his fit is confidence. Letestu said he expects to score. He knows he is going to get looks playing with who he said was the “best player in the world.”
“You just have to make the most of it,” Letestu said. The Alberta boy, the pride of the AJHL's Bonnyville Pontiacs, is doing that. McLellan called Letestu “a great story” on Thursday, but he’s quickly becoming the story of the Oilers’ playoffs.
“I wasn’t a high draft pick. There wasn’t a whole l ot invested in me,” Letestu said. “My job was to win face-offs and be g ood on the penalty kill. For me, it’s just something that I’ve worked into. It was just the right fit for me at the right time.”
Letestu recited it the second he was quizzed on Thursday.
“A little bit of irony, I guess,” Letestu said. “That’s kind of the story of my two goals in Game 1: right place, right time.”
Somehow, on a unit loaded with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Milan Lucic, the undrafted free agent centre Letestu has emerged as the hired gun for the Edmonton Oilers’ power play.
Letestu made the Ducks pay for undisciplined play w hen he banged in two rebounds from nearly the same exact spot on the Honda Center ice, helping the Oilers jump out to a one-game lead in their best-of-seven second round series. Letestu now accounts for three of Edmonton’s four power play goals scored this spring. Fourteen of his 19 goals this y ear have now come with the man advantage, nearly tripling his previous career high.
“This is new territory for me,” Letestu said, smiling.
Not bad for a Swiss Army Knife player whose teammates sometimes poke fun of his name even being on the power play lineup chart. On these Oilers, it’s almost a game of Which one of these is not like the others?
Letestu matched Evgeni Malkin ($9.5 million), Logan Couture ($6M), Tyler Seguin ($5.75M), Nick Foligno ($5.5M) and Mat t Moulson ($5M) in power-play goals in the regular season. Letestu, 32 , earned $1.8 million this year.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT - PP GOALS VS. SALARY
| Player | PPG | Cap Hit |
| Evgeni Malkin | 11 | $9.5M |
| Logan Couture | 11 | $6M |
| Tyler Seguin | 11 | $5.75M |
| Nick Foligno | 11 | $5.5M |
| Matt Moulson | 11 | $5M |
| Mark Letestu | 11 | $1.8M |
“We crack jokes about it all the time,” Letestu said. “At times, I feel like I have to defend myself. I feel I’m a good player. I’ ve played the power play every stop I’ve been. Just this year, the amount of success that’s come my way is a little different than it’s been.
“People start asking me ‘How is a fourth line centre doing it?’”
The answer, Letestu said, is simple. He is paid to pull the trigger, which is surprising in its own right considering his shot is n’t the most accurate or the hardest.
“It’s just a willingness to shoot the puck,” Letest u said. “We’ve got a lot on that power play that are playmakers: Connor and Leo n especially. They are pass-first guys. I know when the puck gets to m e - deliver it. There’s no trying to place it anywhere. You just try to hit it as hard as you can and hope it gets over his pads.”
It’s gone over the goaltender’s pads at an astoundi ng rate for Letestu. His career ratio of 30 power-play goals to 46 at ev en strength is virtually unmatched among forwards , according to Hockey-Refe rence.com, given the relative few goals he’s scored in almost 500 ca reer games. You would have to look back to former Oiler specialist Marc-Andre Bergeron as the last defenceman with numbers that tilted tow ard the power play.
“‘Test’ doesn’t defer to others on that power play, ” coach Todd McLellan said. “The fact he doesn’t makes that work.”
Letestu said he learned pretty quickly playing on t he power play in Pittsburgh with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin that every successful unit needs that “certain element” of a shooter.
“It’s not in their makeup. It’s in their DNA to loo k for the play all the time,” Letestu said. “It’s my job to shoot. I’m not going to carry the mail a lot of the time, but I still have to make the play when it comes to me. It’s kind of simple for me in the recipe part, but the results a ren’t that simple.”
That adaptation and awareness is what McLellan said he has learned to really appreciate in Letestu.
“If I was going to pick an individual in the locker room that might eventually lead a team somewhere or coach, using hi s hockey acumen or IQ, it would be Test,” McLellan said. “He can ma ke adjustments personally, he can make adjustments with the group, he sees it happening, he sees concepts. He fits that [power pl ay] group well physically and mentally.”
Part of his fit is timing and feel. Being in the right place at the right time is no accident. Part of his fit is confidence. Letestu said he expects to score. He knows he is going to get looks playing with who he said was the “best player in the world.”
“You just have to make the most of it,” Letestu said. The Alberta boy, the pride of the AJHL's Bonnyville Pontiacs, is doing that. McLellan called Letestu “a great story” on Thursday, but he’s quickly becoming the story of the Oilers’ playoffs.
“I wasn’t a high draft pick. There wasn’t a whole l ot invested in me,” Letestu said. “My job was to win face-offs and be g ood on the penalty kill. For me, it’s just something that I’ve worked into. It was just the right fit for me at the right time.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)