* The Islanders won their first-ever playoff game at UBS Arena to cut their series deficit to 2-1, guaranteeing for the second straight year that at least seven of eight series in the First Round will require five or more games (7 in 2022). This is the first time in 30 years that has occurred in back-to-back opening rounds.
* Trevor Moore (Thousand Oaks, Calif.,) became the first California-born player to score a postseason overtime goal for a California-based team as the Kings took a 2-1 series lead over the Oilers.
* The Bruins and Wild each earned bounce-back wins in Game 3 – contests that featured Nick and Marcus Foligno both score to combine for a feat not seen in over a decade.
ISLANDERS WIN FIRST GAME AT UBS ARENA TO CUT SERIES DEFICIT
With the contest tied 1-1 late in the third period, Kyle Palmieri scored a go-ahead goal with 3:51 remaining and ignited a four-goal flurry in a span of 2:18 as New York skated to victory in the first-ever postseason game at UBS Arena. The Islanders carried their momentum from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and improved to 97-53 at home during the postseason – their .647 all-time home winning percentage trails only the Canadiens (257-134-3; .652 W%) for the highest in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.
* Palmieri’s game winner marked the Islanders’ third-latest go-ahead goal in a playoff game in the past 30 years, trailing only Brock Nelson (56:35; Game 3 of 2020 CF) and Shawn Bates (57:30; Game 4 of 2002 CQF).
HOMETOWN MOORE SCORES OVERTIME WINNER TO LIFT KINGS TO VICTORY
Trevor Moore, the Thousand Oaks, Calif., native who grew up 40 miles outside of Los Angeles, scored the overtime winner 3:24 into the extra frame to complete the Kings’ comeback and skate to a 2-1 series lead overConnor McDavid, Leon Draisaitland the Oilers – that duo also found the score sheet Friday while skating in their 40th game, a note that can be found in the most recent #NHLStats: Live Updates. Los Angeles has now earned both of its wins in the 2023 First Round in come-from-behind fashion.
* The Kings opened the scoring with 33 seconds remaining in the opening frame, marking the third time in the 2023 First Round the club has scored in the final minute of a period. Los Angeles has recorded more such goals in a single series just once before (4 in 1982 DSF vs. EDM).
* Moore recorded his first career overtime goal (regular season or playoffs) and became the first California-born player to score a Stanley Cup Playoffs overtime winner for a California-based team. Moore grew up an avid Kings fan – he has fond memories of going to games to watch franchise mainstays like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, teammates of his who were on the ice to celebrate Moore’s overtime goal.
BRUINS, WILD BOUNCE BACK FROM GAME 2 LOSSES TO TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEADS
The Bruins and Wild both took 2-1 series leads after falling in Game 2 – Boston owns an 18-7 record when leading a best-of-seven series after starting at home, while Minnesota is 1-0 when starting on the road.
* Dmitry Orlov (0-2—2) and Brad Marchand (0-1—1) both found the score sheet for the third straight game to open the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Marchand improved his career postseason totals to 51-70—121 (142 GP) and became the fourth player in Bruins playoff history to record 70 assists, joining Ray Bourque (125), David Krejci (83) and Patrice Bergeron (78).
* Marcus Foligno scored one of five Minnesota goals while Filip Gustavsson turned aside 23 of 24 shots to help the Wild skate to their second series lead over the Stars. Gustavsson, who also earned the victory in Game 1, became the first goaltender in franchise history to win each of his first two playoff appearances with the club.
WEEKLY PODCAST ROUNDUP
* La Tasse de café LNH (April 15): Place aux séries éliminatoires de la Coupe Stanley
* NHL Draft Class (April 18):Dan Marr, VP, NHL Central Scouting; Final Rankings
* The Chirp with Daren Millard (April 19): Cuthbert joins; playoff storylines & tales broadcast booth
* NHL @ The Rink (April 20): Playoffs; Fleury vs. Gus, Lyon’s net, Bergeron injury, McDavid’s production
QUICK CLICKS
* NHL announces Stanley Cup Playoffs start times for games on April 25, 26
* NHL announces Stanley Cup Playoffs start times for games on April 25, 27
*Will Ferrell rocks face paint while cheering on Kings in Game 3
* Kraken surprise Seattle teachers with Stanley Cup Playoff tickets
* The First Round continues to deliver strong viewership across ESPN & ESPN2
FOUR MORE GAME 3s SET FOR SATURDAY
Four more Game 3s are set for Saturday with six teams aiming to take a 2-1 series lead, while the Rangers will have the opportunity to take a commanding 3-0 edge over the Devils in their First Round matchup. During the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, New York held an 8-2 record at Madison Square Garden, which was tied with Tampa Bay for the most wins among all teams through the postseason.
SEATTLE TO HOST FIRST PLAYOFF GAME IN 104 YEARS
The Kraken will host their first-ever Stanley Cup Playoffs game Saturday when they welcome the Avalanche to Climate Pledge Arena in a contest which will feature both teams vying for a 2-1 series lead. It will mark the first time in 104 years that the city of Seattle has hosted a Stanley Cup Playoffs game, with the final one contested on March 29, 1919 when the Metropolitans competed against the Canadiens at Seattle Ice Arena (Game 5 of 1919 SCF).
* Four of Seattle’s first five goals in the First Round have been factored on by a Stanley Cup champion: Justin Schultz (1-1—2), Yanni Gourde (0-2—2) and Jaden Schwartz (0-1—1).
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