NHL Peachy: Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – April 13, 2016 Our Coverage Sponsored by Martin's Tavern of Georgetown Est. 1933
Established in 1933, Martin's Tavern is one of Washington DC’s most historic family-owned enterprises. For 80 years, Martin’s Tavern has been a renowned fixture in the mid-Atlantic and a must-visit establishment in historic Georgetown. In the late 1890's, William S. Martin traveled from Galway, Ireland to America. Forty years later, he and his son, William G. Martin, the current Billy's grandfather, opened Martin’s Tavern on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and N Street NW which is run today by our friend, William A. Martin Jr. You can call him Billy! From sitting Presidents and media icons, to city residents and worldly travelers, Martin’s Tavern is a welcoming home to the many who have long embraced its warm atmosphere. Its quintessentially classic American fare has delighted discriminating palates for decades from the Oakwood Atlantic Smoked Salmon to the Filet Mignon to whatever your little heart desires from the convincing menu. Every President from Truman to George W. Bush has happily dined at Martin's Tavern, and you can see the delicious culinary choices preferred by each in our review: Martin's Tavern is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know:
The President’s favorite booths, The Proposal Booth of Jack and Jackie Kennedy, Mickey Mantle in The Dugout Room, George W. Bush and family at Table 12 are just a few of the iconic stories. Fourth generation owner Billy Martin, Jr. continues the tradition of Washington’s oldest family owned restaurant and Georgetown landmark.
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QUEST FOR THE STANLEY CUP BEGINS . . .
* Click here to view the complete schedule for the First Round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
* Click here to enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge powered by Samsung. Fans and media can enter their predictions until 6:59 p.m. ET – just prior to the opening puck drop for the postseason.
REMINDER: UPDATED STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS INFORMATION GUIDE
An updated version of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs Information Guide, featuring series-by-series breakdowns of all eight First Round matchups, now is available for download viathe NHL’s Media site.
Playoff guides for all 16 qualifying teams also now are posted on the League’s Media site.
SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Detroit @ Tampa Bay, Game 1, 7:00 p.m., NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, FS-D, FS-F
NY Rangers @ Pittsburgh, Game 1, 8:00 p.m., USA, SN, TVAS, MSG, ROOT
Chicago @ St. Louis, Game 1, 9:30 p.m., NBCSN, SN360, TVAS, CSN-CH, FS-MW
LIGHTNING, RED WINGS AGAIN FACE OFF IN OPENING ROUND . . .
The defending Eastern Conference champion Lightning face the Red Wings in the First Round of the postseason for the second straight year when the teams begin their series at Amalie Arena. In 2015 – their lone other playoff meeting – Tampa Bay won a seven-game series, powered by a 31-save shutout from Ben Bishop in a 2-0 Game 7 victory. Bishop, who led the NHL with a 2.06 goals-against average and ranked second with a .926 save percentage this season, stopped 153 of the 166 shots he faced in last year’s series vs. DET (1.87 GAA, .922 SV%, 1 SO). The Lightning and Red Wings split their four-game series in 2015-16, with each club winning both of its contests on home ice.
. . . PENGUINS, RANGERS MEET IN THIRD STRAIGHT POSTSEASON
The red-hot Penguins, who won 14 of their final 16 games of the season, play host to the Rangers at CONSOL Energy Center in Game 1 of their opening round series. These teams are meeting in the playoffs for the seventh time overall and third consecutive season. Pittsburgh won the first four series between these clubs, but New York has claimed each of the past two – that includes a seven-game victory in the 2014 Second Round in which it overcame a 3-1 series deficit for the first time in franchise history (a feat duplicated in the 2015 SR vs. WSH). The Penguins posted a 3-1-0 record against the Rangers in 2015-16 (NYR: 1-2-1), with all three victories coming during their final 20 games of the season.
DEFENDING CHAMPION BLACKHAWKS VISIT BLUES IN GAME 1
The defending champion Blackhawks, who are looking to become the first repeat Stanley Cup winners since the 1997-98 Red Wings, visit the rival Blues at Scottrade Center in Game 1 of their First Round series. This marks the 12th all-time playoff meeting between these teams and second in the last three seasons. In 2014, Chicago overcame a 2-0 series deficit – led by three game-winning goals from captain Jonathan Toews (including the GWG in OT of Game 5 at STL) – to eliminate St. Louis in six contests in the opening round. The Blues won three of the five matchups between these clubs this season, with all three of their victories coming after regulation (STL: 3-2-0, CHI: 2-0-3).
GAME 1: DID YOU KNOW?
Via Elias, teams that win Game 1 in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs series hold an all-time series record of 437-200 (68.6%).
CENTRAL SCOUTING REVEALS FINAL RANKINGS FOR 2016 NHL DRAFT
NHL Central Scouting announced that Zurich forward Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.) is the top eligible skater for the 2016 NHL Draft. Matthews, who averaged more than a point per game in Switzerland’s top men’s league this season, is looking to become the seventh U.S.-born player drafted first overall and the first since Blackhawks forwardPatrick Kane in 2007.
See below for the complete final rankings:
ICYMI: MAPLE LEAFS INK KADRI, RIELLY TO EXTENSIONS
The Maple Leafs signed forward Nazem Kadri and defenseman Morgan Rielly to six-year contract extensions.
Kadri paced the team with 17-28—45 in 76 games this season, while Rielly led the club’s defensemen with 9-27—36 in 82 contests – career highs in all three scoring categories.
Click here for more details.
NHL NETWORK DAILY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
All Times Eastern
5:00 p.m. – NHL Live
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – NHL Tonight: 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff Edition
Postgame – NHL Tonight: 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff Edition
