NHL Peachy: Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 2, 2017
MONDAY’S RESULT
Home Team in Caps
Washington 3, PITTSBURGH 2 (OT) – PIT leads 2-1
CAPITALS SURVIVE LATE PENGUINS RALLY TO WIN IN OVERTIME
Washington surrendered a 2-0 lead in the final 1:53 of regulation, but Kevin Shattenkirk scored his first goal of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs on a power play at 3:13 of overtime as the Capitals cut their series deficit to 2-1.
* The Capitals improved to 4-2 in extra time in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, matching their franchise record for overtime wins in a single postseason (4-1 in 1998).
* Elias notes that Washington became just the third team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to surrender a multi-goal lead in the final two minutes of regulation and win in overtime, joining Dallas (Game 3 of 2001 CQF at EDM) and Anaheim (Game 5 of 2015 CF vs. CHI).
* Shattenkirk – who was acquired by the Capitals on Feb. 27 – scored his first career overtime goal in the postseason (56 GP). He has tallied two such markers in 490 career regular-season games.
* Shattenkirk became the third defenseman in franchise history to score an overtime goal in the postseason, joining Rod Langway (Game 4 of 1990 DF vs. NYR) and Mike Green (Game 2 of 2013 CQF vs. NYR). Elias adds that Shattenkirk joined Green as the only players in franchise history to score a power-play goal in overtime in the postseason, regardless of position.
* Nicklas Backstrom (1-1—2) opened the scoring and registered his 48th career postseason assist (all w/ WSH) to pass Dale Hunter (47) for the most in franchise history.
DID YOU KNOW?
* The Capitals and Penguins skated in the 20th overtime game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (53 GP), matching the total from last year’s entire postseason (91 GP). Elias notes the record for most overtime games in a playoff year is 28, set in 1993 (85 GP).
* The visiting team has won the first three games of the Second Round series between the Capitals and Penguins. Elias notes that road teams improved to 30-23 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (56.6%), compared to a 45-46 mark in the 2016 postseason (49.5%).
BOBROVSKY, CROSBY AND McDAVID VOTED HART TROPHY FINALISTS
Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Oilers center Connor McDavid are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.”
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Hart Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 21, during the 2017 NHL Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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LOOSE PUCKS
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (0-1—1) has collected at least one point in all three games of the Second Round (1-3—4) and has registered 11-14—25 in 16 career postseason games against the Penguins (1.56 PPG) . . . Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (1-1—2) leads the League with 4-11—15 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (8 GP), while teammate Phil Kessel (0-1—1) ranks second with 4-8—12 (8 GP) . . . The NHL announced start times for Second Round games on Saturday, May 6 . . . The Flames signed general manager Brad Treliving to a multi-year contract extension . . . Tickets to the 2017 NHL Awards and NHL Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, May 3 . . . Nashville mayor Megan Barry and her St. Louis counterpart Lyda Krewson agreed to a friendly wager on the Second Round series between the Blues and Predators . . . Renowned Canadian artist Tony Harris unveiled portraits of Patrick Roy and Mario Lemieux as part of the NHL Centennial Celebration.
SNEAK PEEK AT TUESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Ottawa @ NY Rangers, OTT leads 2-0, 7 p.m., CBC, TVAS, NBCSN
St. Louis @ Nashville, NSH leads 2-1, 9:30 p.m., SN, TVAS, NBCSN
