NHL Peachy: Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 20, 2017
STANLEY CUP FINAL TO BEGIN MONDAY, MAY 29
With both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals guaranteed to extend to at least six games, the NHL announced that the 2017 Stanley Cup Final will begin on Monday, May 29. Information on the 2017 Stanley Cup Final Media Day will be shared at a later date.
See below for the complete game schedule for the 2017 Stanley Cup Final:
Game 1 – Monday, May 29
Game 2 – Wednesday, May 31
Game 3 – Saturday, June 3
Game 4 – Monday, June 5
Game 5 – Thursday, June 8
Game 6 – Sunday, June 11
Game 7 – Wednesday, June 14
FRIDAY’S RESULT
Home Team in Caps
Pittsburgh 3, OTTAWA 2 – series tied 2-2
MURRAY HELPS PENGUINS EVEN EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
Making his first start since April 6, Matt Murray recorded 24 saves to help the Penguins even the Eastern Conference Final at two games apiece.
* The Penguins improved to 12-2 in playoff games following a loss under head coach Mike Sullivan, including a 5-1 record this postseason.
* Murray, who suffered an injury prior to Game 1 of Pittsburgh’s opening round series vs. CBJ, made his first playoff start since Game 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. He went 15-6 (2.08 GAA, .923 SV%, 1 SO) during last year’s postseason to guide the Penguins to their fourth championship.
* Sidney Crosby (1-1—2) and Jake Guentzel (0-2—2) each registered multiple points. Crosby, who ranks third with 6-11—17 this postseason (15 GP), is one helper shy of becoming the 22nd player in NHL history to collect 100 playoff assists (55-99—154 in 139 GP).
* Guentzel, meanwhile, continues to lead all rookies with 9-7—16 this postseason (16 GP). His 16 points are five shy of the NHL rookie record for a single playoff year, set by Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli in 1981 (14-7—21 in 19 GP) and matched by Philadelphia’s Ville Leino in 2010 (7-14—21 in 19 GP).
* When teams are tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the winner of Game 5 holds an all-time series record of 198-54, including a 5-0 mark this postseason.
CLOSE GAMES CONTINUE . . .
The Penguins and Senators contested the 48th one-goal game this postseason (76 GP, 63.2%), three shy of the single-year NHL record established in 2007 (51 in 81 GP, 63.0%).
* Six of the eight total games played in the Conference Finals have been decided by one goal, with another decided by two following an empty-net score.
* Overall, the Penguins are 5-3 in one-goal games this postseason (2-1 vs. OTT), while the Senators are 8-4.
. . . DID YOU KNOW?
Each series in the Conference Finals will require at least six games for the fourth straight year:
2016 – PIT: 4-3 W (vs. TBL), SJS: 4-2 W (vs. STL)
2015 – TBL: 4-3 W (vs. NYR), CHI: 4-3 W (vs. ANA)
2014 – NYR: 4-2 W (vs. MTL), LAK: 4-3 W (vs. CHI)
LOOSE PUCKS
Penguins defensemen Olli Maatta scored his first career postseason goal (47 GP), while fellow blueliner Brian Dumoulin recorded his third career goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (45 GP) – he has two goals in 163 career regular-season appearances . . . Senators captain Erik Karlsson (0-1—1) continues to lead all defensemen with 2-13—15 this postseason (16 GP) . . . Forward Evgeni Malkin skated in his 140th career playoff game (all w/ PIT) to tie Jaromir Jagr for the most in Penguins history . . . ICYMI: SHOWTIME Sports aired the first episode of ALL ACCESS: Quest for the Stanley Cup, a docuseries chronicling the four Conference Finalists. Viewers in Canada can catch the premiere on SN 360 today at 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT.
SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Nashville @ Anaheim, series tied 2-2, 7:15 p.m., CBC, TVAS, NBC
