* For the second time in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Lightning benefited from a go-ahead goal in the final minute of regulation en route to victory.
* Nikita Kucherov factored on all three of Tampa Bay’s unanswered goals and became the sixth player in NHL history with at least 20 career three-point outings in the postseason.
* Patrice Bergeron, a Selke Trophy finalist for an NHL-best 11th straight season, claimed the award for the fifth time to surpass Bob Gainey for the most in League history.
* The Avalanche have their sights set on advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in franchise history and look to join rare company by doing so with two or fewer losses.
PALAT CAPS LIGHTNING RALLY WITH ANOTHER LATE GO-AHEAD GOAL
After Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider each scored their 10th goal of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nikita Kucherov (1-2—3) factored on three unanswered Lightning goals – including an assist on Ondrej Palat’s game winner with 42 seconds left in regulation – to lift Tampa Bay to its first win of the Eastern Conference Final.
* Palat became the fourth player in Lightning history to score a go-ahead goal in the final minute of a postseason game and the second during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, joining Ross Colton (59:56 in Game 2 of R2) – which also stands as the second-latest such tally for the franchise.
* Palat’s tally also marked his 10th career game-winning goal (all w/ TBL), surpassing Tyler Johnson for the most in franchise history. Only four active players have netted more in the Stanley Cup Playoffs: Joe Pavelski (14), Evgeni Malkin (13), Jonathan Toews (11) and Patrick Kane (11).
* Kucherov (6-14—20 in 14 GP), with his third outing of three or more points these playoffs, became the sixth player in NHL history to record 20 career games of at least three points in the postseason. The others: Wayne Gretzky (59x), Mark Messier (30x), Jari Kurri (28x), Denis Savard (21x) and Jaromir Jagr (20x).
* The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs marks the third consecutive postseason Kucherov registered at least 20 points following 2020 (7-27—34 in 25 GP) and 2021 (8-24—32 in 23 GP). Only three players in NHL history have recorded longer such stretches: Sergei Fedorov (4 from 1995-98 w/ DET), Mike Bossy (4 from 1980-83 w/ NYI) and Bryan Trottier (4 from 1980-83 w/ NYI).
* Tampa Bay avoided a 3-0 series deficit by recording its ninth multi-goal comeback win in the postseason in franchise history and just the third that concluded in regulation: Game 4 of 2021 Second Round (vs. CAR) and Game 4 of 2011 Conference Finals (vs. BOS).
RANGERS STARS CONTINUE TO FIND THE SCORE SHEET
The trio of Mika Zibanejad (1-1—2), Chris Kreider (1-0—1) and Adam Fox (0-1—1) continued to play pivotal roles for the Rangers offense, while joining rare company in the process.
* Kreider scored his 34th career playoff tally and tied Rod Gilbert (34 G in 79 GP) for the most in the postseason by a Rangers player in franchise history. It also marked his 12th career power-play goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, tying Brian Leetch for the second most by a New York skater (since 1933-34) and trailing only Adam Graves (13).
* Fox (5-18—23 in 20 GP), the fifth defenseman in the past 30 years to record an eight-game point streak in the playoffs and first since Miro Heiskanen (8 GP in 2020 w/ DAL), has now recorded the most points by a defenseman in NHL history through 20 career playoff games, surpassing Leetch (8-14—22 in 20 GP).
BERGERON CLAIMS SELKE TROPHY FOR RECORD FIFTH TIME
Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron won the 2021-22 Frank J. Selke Trophy, recognizing “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
* Bergeron claimed his fifth Selke Trophy win to surpass Bob Gainey for the most in NHL history. Bergeron was a Selke finalist for the 11th straight season, extending his own mark in that category, and surpassing the 10 consecutive years of top-three Hart Trophy finishes by Wayne Gretzky (1980 through 1989) as the longest ever for a voted NHL Award. Click here to learn more and here for complete voting results.
‘ENCEKI’ BECOMES FIRST PLAYER TO CAPTURE BACK-TO-BACK GWC CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2022 NHL Gaming World Championship wrapped up its European tournament at the GG22 sports gaming festival in Maastricht, Netherlands on June 4. A live audience witnessed overtime in Game 3 to decide a winner, but the most decorated NHL Gaming World Championship player and reigning European Champion, Erik ‘ENCEKI’ Tammenpää, added another European title to his ever-growing resume.
* Coming into the Final as the No. 1 seed and favorite to repeat, the 23-year-old native of Helsinki, Finland became the first player to win back-to-back titles in GWC history. ENCEKI, who chose to represent the New York Islanders during this year’s tournament, earned his ticket to the European Final by winning the Xbox One Console Final. Along with CHEL bragging rights, the Championship trophy and first-ever GWC belt, the titan of competition was presented a check for $15,000 USD from host Carrlyn Bathe.
QUICK CLICKS
* #NHLStats: Live Updates for Sunday, June 5
* Series Scenarios for Monday, June 6
* Victor Hedman records 100th career playoff point
*Evander Kane suspended one game by NHL for boarding in Game 3 for Oilers
* Lady Byng Trophy winner to be announced before Game 4 of Western Conference Final
AVALANCHE EYE STANLEY CUP FINAL BERTH
A berth to the 2022 Stanley Cup Final will be on the line for the Avalanche on Monday when they contest Game 4 of the Western Conference Final at Rogers Place. While only two teams in the past 10 years have swept a Conference Finals series (BOS in 2019 & 2013), teams that take a 3-0 series lead in a best-of-seven Conference Finals/Semifinals are a perfect 44-0. That record includes 26 sweeps, 14 five-game victories, two that ended in six games and two that required a winner-take-all Game 7.
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* Colorado, 11-2 this postseason, has benefited from its play on the road during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs and have won each of its past six contests as the visitor. Only six teams in NHL history have strung together at least seven consecutive road victories in a single playoff year: 2012 Kings (10 GP), 2010 Blackhawks (7 GP), 1999 Avalanche (7 GP), 1995 Devils (7 GP), 1982 Islanders (7 GP) and 1980 Islanders (7 GP).
* The Oilers have their sights set on staving off elimination and forcing a Game 5. Mike Smith played a part in helping the last team avoid a sweep in the Conference Finals, posting a 36-save shutout for the Coyotes in Game 5 of the 2012 Conference Finals against the Kings.
* Connor McDavid (9-21—30 in 15 GP), fresh off recording his 30th point of the postseason, has posted 2-3—5 in potential elimination games for the Oilers during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs (2 GP) – tied for the most in a single playoff year in franchise history. His teammate Leon Draisaitl (7-21— 28 in 15 GP), the last Edmonton skater to achieve the mark in a single postseason (3-2—5 in 2017), is also within striking distance of recording his 30th point.
