BRODEUR, LUNDQVIST, NABOKOV VEZINA TROPHY FINALISTS
Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks are the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy in 2007-08, awarded "to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position".
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Brodeur has earned his eighth career nomination as a finalist and is in quest of his fourth career win; he captured the trophy in 2003, 2004 and 2007. Brodeur posted a 44-27-6 record with a 2.17 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and four shutouts in 2007-08, ranking among League leaders in minutes played (first, 4,635), victories (second) and goals-against average (fifth). He became just the second goaltender in NHL history to reach the 500-win mark, following Patrick Roy, and ended the season with 96 career shutouts, seven shy of all-time leader Terry Sawchuk. He extended NHL records by registering his third consecutive and seventh career 40-win season, and 10th consecutive campaign with 70-or-more games.
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Lundqvist is a Vezina Trophy finalist for the third consecutive season, having placed third in 2006 and 2007. He posted a 37-24-10 record with a 2.23 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 72 games and led all NHL goaltenders with 10 shutouts. He tied his career high in victories, set last season, and is only the second goaltender in NHL history to record three consecutive 30-win seasons to begin his career, joining Philadelphia's Ron Hextall (1986-87 to 1988-89). Lundqvist's 10 shutouts were the most by a Rangers goaltender since John Ross Roach posted 13 in 1928-29.
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks
Nabokov, a Vezina Trophy finalist for the first time, led the NHL in victories (46), just two shy of Brodeur's NHL-record 48 set last season, and posted 25 one-goal victories, second to Brodeur's 26. He ranked second among NHL goaltenders in minutes played (4,561), third in goals-against average (2.14) and tied for third in shutouts (six). Nabokov posted a 43-game consecutive-start streak to begin the season, one short of the longest such streak since 1989-90. He had started 51 consecutive games dating back to March 24, 2007 before getting the night off in Anaheim Jan. 13.
The Vezina Trophy was presented to the National Hockey League in 1926-27 by former Montreal Canadiens owners Leo Dandurand, Louis Letourneau and Joe Cattarinich in memory of Georges Vezina, the outstanding Canadiens goaltender who collapsed during an NHL game on Nov. 28, 1925 and died of tuberculosis a few months later. Until 1981-82, the trophy had been awarded to the goaltender(s) on the club allowing the fewest number of goals during the regular season -- the current basis for the William Jennings Trophy.
NHLPA ANNOUNCES NEW MEMBERS OF COMPETITION COMMITTEE
Brian Campbell of the San Jose Sharks, Jeff Halpern of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres, Mathieu Schneider of the Anaheim Ducks and Jason Spezza of the Ottawa Senators have been selected by the executive board of the NHL Players' Association as the new player representatives on the competition committee.
The five new players, who will serve two-year terms, replace Rob Blake of the Los Angeles Kings, Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames, Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks and Brendan Shanahan of the New York Rangers - who had served since the committee's inception after the NHL lockout. Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils was also an original member but quit last year and was never replaced.
"The outgoing players on the committee deserve a great deal of gratitude for the work they have done to improve our game over the last three seasons," Paul Kelly, the NHLPA's executive director, said in a statement. "The NHLPA is looking forward to our newest members representing their fellow players on this important committee."
The NHL's representatives on the committee remain the same at this point: GMs Bob Gainey of the Montreal Canadiens, Kevin Lowe of the Edmonton Oilers, David Poile of the Nashville Predators, Don Waddell of the Atlanta Thrashers and owner Ed Snider of the Philadelphia Flyers.
The next competition committee meeting will take place June 13 in Toronto. By then it's possible the NHL will have new members as well.
"We will review our present status with our group before the next competition committee meeting in June," Colin Campbell, the NHL's executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, said Monday.
Campbell and NHLPA ombudsman Eric Lindros participate in the competition committee meetings but do not have voting rights.
The committee was formed in the new collective bargaining agreement as a joint effort to come up with recommendations to improve the game. The committee's findings get sent to the NHLPA's executive board (the 30 player reps) and then to the NHL's board of governors (owners).
A-ROD TO REJOIN YANKS TODAY
Alex Rodriguez is expected to rejoin the Yankees on Today in Chicago, having been diagnosed with a mild strain of his right quadriceps.
Rodriguez was injured legging out a fielder's choice in Sunday's 7-1 victory at Baltimore, flexing his right leg before being replaced by a pinch-runner.
He returned to New York to be examined and was to see a physical therapist on Monday, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo told the Associated Press
If Rodriguez is to miss games due to the injury, Morgan Ensberg will likely be used as the interim third baseman. Derek Jeter missed six games with a strained left quadriceps last week.
The Yankees will reevaluate Rodriguez on today at U.S. Cellular Field, where the club opens a three-game series with the White Sox. Rodriguez is batting .308 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 20 games this season.
Todays NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(6) Philadelphia @ (3) Washington -- Game 7 -- 6pm -- Versus (Series tied 3-3)
-(7) Calgary @ (2) San Jose -- Game 7 -- 9pm -- Versus (Series tied 3-3)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
April 21th
BERGERON WILL PLAY IF CLEARED BY DOCTORS
If Patrice Bergeron is cleared to play by doctors, Boston coach Claude Julien will put him in the lineup for the Bruins' Game 7 clash against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.
"He really looks good (in practice)," Julien told reporters Sunday. "Yeah, maybe he hasn't played in real-game situations, so there might be some little issues here and there, but the quality of player he is, there's no way you can keep a guy like that out. I wouldn't even consider it."
Bergeron has been sidelined since suffering a severe head injury last October. The Boston forward has been skating in practice and asked the Bruins' medical staff to play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference series on Saturday, but was turned down.
The Bruins defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in Boston to tie the best-of-seven series and force a seventh and deciding contest Monday in Montreal.
The 22-year-old will consult with doctors on Monday to see whether they will clear him to play later that evening.
Back on October 27, 2007, Bergeron was hit from behind by Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Randy Jones on Oct. 27, 2007. Bergeron crumpled to the ice, lost consciousness and was taken from the ice on a stretcher.
Bergeron had been participating in one-way contact in practice for the past six weeks — meaning he could hit, but he couldn't take hits or play in games until he returned to full strength.
FLYERS KNUBLE OUT FOR REST OF 1ST ROUND
Philadelphia Flyers winger Mike Knuble, who scored the winning goal in double overtime against Washington on Thursday, will be unavailable for Game 6 Monday and if necessary, Game 7 the following night.
Knuble partially tore his left hamstring in the second period of a 3-2 loss in Game 5 of the NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final Saturday afternoon when he stumbled to the ice in a moment of indecision over whether to try to block a shot.
He had 29 goals and 55 points during the regular season. Knuble was also minus-3, his worst rating since the 1999-2000 campaign (minus-7), but has collected four points in the first five games of the NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final.
"THE BIG HURT" IS LET GO
Frank Thomas's short Toronto Blue Jay career has come to an end.
The 39-year-old slugger was released by the American League club on Sunday, 24 hours after reacting angrily to being benched by manager John Gibbons and replaced by Matt Stairs as designated hitter.
Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said the decision was "mutual" and it came after he and Thomas met on Sunday morning.
"Our best opportunity is to put other guys in the lineup at this point," the GM said. "Obviously, reduced playing time is not something that he was interested in. In order to let him go forward and get on with his career, I think it's fair to do it at this point.
Thomas was off to an anemic start that had seen the future Hall of Famer go hitless in his last 13 at-bats and only 4-for-34 since homering in three straight games April 5-8.
"I'm angry," Thomas said on Saturday, claiming the decision was made so Toronto could avoid having to automatically guarantee next year's $10-million contract if he got 376 plate appearances this season.
Thomas's vesting option for 2009 was part of the $18.12-million, two-year deal signed in November of 2006.
He has 516 career homers and a lifetime batting average of .302. Last season, Thomas hit .277 with 26 homers and 95 RBIs for Toronto.
Thomas, a career .302 hitter, is one of four players in baseball history to record at least a .300 average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks. The others are Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.
Todays NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(8) Boston @ (1) Montreal--Game 7--6pm (Series tied 3-3)
-(3) Washington @ (6) Philadelphia--Game 6--6pm--Versus (Flyers lead series 3-2)
Tuesday
--IF NECESSARY-- (6) Philadelphia @ (3) Washington--Game 7--6pm
-(7) Calgary @ (2) San Jose--Game 7--9pm (Series tied 3-3)
If Patrice Bergeron is cleared to play by doctors, Boston coach Claude Julien will put him in the lineup for the Bruins' Game 7 clash against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.
"He really looks good (in practice)," Julien told reporters Sunday. "Yeah, maybe he hasn't played in real-game situations, so there might be some little issues here and there, but the quality of player he is, there's no way you can keep a guy like that out. I wouldn't even consider it."
Bergeron has been sidelined since suffering a severe head injury last October. The Boston forward has been skating in practice and asked the Bruins' medical staff to play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference series on Saturday, but was turned down.
The Bruins defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in Boston to tie the best-of-seven series and force a seventh and deciding contest Monday in Montreal.
The 22-year-old will consult with doctors on Monday to see whether they will clear him to play later that evening.
Back on October 27, 2007, Bergeron was hit from behind by Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Randy Jones on Oct. 27, 2007. Bergeron crumpled to the ice, lost consciousness and was taken from the ice on a stretcher.
Bergeron had been participating in one-way contact in practice for the past six weeks — meaning he could hit, but he couldn't take hits or play in games until he returned to full strength.
FLYERS KNUBLE OUT FOR REST OF 1ST ROUND
Philadelphia Flyers winger Mike Knuble, who scored the winning goal in double overtime against Washington on Thursday, will be unavailable for Game 6 Monday and if necessary, Game 7 the following night.
Knuble partially tore his left hamstring in the second period of a 3-2 loss in Game 5 of the NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final Saturday afternoon when he stumbled to the ice in a moment of indecision over whether to try to block a shot.
He had 29 goals and 55 points during the regular season. Knuble was also minus-3, his worst rating since the 1999-2000 campaign (minus-7), but has collected four points in the first five games of the NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final.
"THE BIG HURT" IS LET GO
Frank Thomas's short Toronto Blue Jay career has come to an end.
The 39-year-old slugger was released by the American League club on Sunday, 24 hours after reacting angrily to being benched by manager John Gibbons and replaced by Matt Stairs as designated hitter.
Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said the decision was "mutual" and it came after he and Thomas met on Sunday morning.
"Our best opportunity is to put other guys in the lineup at this point," the GM said. "Obviously, reduced playing time is not something that he was interested in. In order to let him go forward and get on with his career, I think it's fair to do it at this point.
Thomas was off to an anemic start that had seen the future Hall of Famer go hitless in his last 13 at-bats and only 4-for-34 since homering in three straight games April 5-8.
"I'm angry," Thomas said on Saturday, claiming the decision was made so Toronto could avoid having to automatically guarantee next year's $10-million contract if he got 376 plate appearances this season.
Thomas's vesting option for 2009 was part of the $18.12-million, two-year deal signed in November of 2006.
He has 516 career homers and a lifetime batting average of .302. Last season, Thomas hit .277 with 26 homers and 95 RBIs for Toronto.
Thomas, a career .302 hitter, is one of four players in baseball history to record at least a .300 average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks. The others are Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.
Todays NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(8) Boston @ (1) Montreal--Game 7--6pm (Series tied 3-3)
-(3) Washington @ (6) Philadelphia--Game 6--6pm--Versus (Flyers lead series 3-2)
Tuesday
--IF NECESSARY-- (6) Philadelphia @ (3) Washington--Game 7--6pm
-(7) Calgary @ (2) San Jose--Game 7--9pm (Series tied 3-3)
Today in MLB History April 21th
1898: In a game against the Giants, Philadelphia Nationals' pitcher Bill Duggelby hits a grand slam in his first major league at-bat. Bobby Bonds will hit one in his first game in his third at-bat, but Duggleby's feat will not be accomplished again until August 31, 2005 when Jeremy Hermida of the Marlins goes yard with the bases full.
1900: In a small wooden ballpark located at 39th and Princeton, the White Sox play their first game in franchise history losing to Milwaukee, 5-4.
1904: Ty Cobb makes his professional debut for Augusta (South Atlantic League), hitting a double and home run in an 8-7 loss to Columbus.
1910: The new League Park opens in Cleveland with a capacity of 21,000. 18,832 watch Detroit and Ed Willett beat the Naps 5-0.
1934: Moe Berg, little-used Senators catcher, plays his 117th consecutive errorless game, dating back to 1931. It sets an A.L. record.
1943: The Browns win their seventh consecutive Opening Day game in front of a reduced crowd of 4000 due to war-time travel restrictions.
1944: After hitting just one home run in 297 games, Browns' outfielder Mike Kreevich hits two round-trippers to beat the White Sox, 5-3.
1946: Cleveland's Frank Hayes plays the last of his 1,312th consecutive games as a catcher. The streak started as a player with the Browns on October 12, 1943.
1951: At Fenway Park, Senator Gil Coan hits two triples in the same inning.
1955: Brooklyn wins its 10th in a row, trouncing Robin Roberts of the Phils 14-2. This sets a new major league record for consecutive wins to start a season (since broken).
1961: The Minnesota Twins, formerly known as the Washington Senators, play their first home game in Minnesota at Metropolitan Stadium losing to the 'new' expansion Washington Senator.
1967: After 737 consecutive games, the Dodgers were rained out for the first time since moving to Los Angeles.
1982: The Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 for their 13th straight victory.
1984: In only his second start since August 1982, Montreal pitcher David Palmer threw five perfect innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 4-0 victory stopped by rain.
1987: The White Sox beat the Brewers 7-1, ending their season-opening winning streak at 13 games. Milwaukee's 13-0 start tied the major league record set by the 1982 Braves.
1991: In the greatest extra-inning comeback in major league history, Pittsburgh scores six in the bottom of the 11th inning to erase a five-run Cubs lead built in the top of the inning on Andre Dawson's grand slam. The Pirates had rallied earlier from a 7-2 deficit to tie the game in the ninth.
1994: Indians first baseman Eddie Murray hits home runs from both sides of the plate in a game for the 11th time in his career to break Mickey Mantle's record. The two homers also move Murray past Dave Kingman into 20th place on the all-time list with 444.
2000: In Cincinnati, the Dodger/Red game is delayed for 27 minutes due to the umpires' equipment being accidentally been shipped to New York. Replacement gear is secured from a downtown store but due to heavy traffic a police escort is needed to get the goods to Cinergy Field.
2002: Atlanta shortstop Rafael Furcal ties a major league record, which was most previously done by White Sox outfielder Lance Johnson in 1995, by hitting three triples in a game. The last time a Braves' player hit three three-baggers in one contest was on June 13, 1956 when Danny O'Connell accomplished the feat.
1900: In a small wooden ballpark located at 39th and Princeton, the White Sox play their first game in franchise history losing to Milwaukee, 5-4.
1904: Ty Cobb makes his professional debut for Augusta (South Atlantic League), hitting a double and home run in an 8-7 loss to Columbus.
1910: The new League Park opens in Cleveland with a capacity of 21,000. 18,832 watch Detroit and Ed Willett beat the Naps 5-0.
1934: Moe Berg, little-used Senators catcher, plays his 117th consecutive errorless game, dating back to 1931. It sets an A.L. record.
1943: The Browns win their seventh consecutive Opening Day game in front of a reduced crowd of 4000 due to war-time travel restrictions.
1944: After hitting just one home run in 297 games, Browns' outfielder Mike Kreevich hits two round-trippers to beat the White Sox, 5-3.
1946: Cleveland's Frank Hayes plays the last of his 1,312th consecutive games as a catcher. The streak started as a player with the Browns on October 12, 1943.
1951: At Fenway Park, Senator Gil Coan hits two triples in the same inning.
1955: Brooklyn wins its 10th in a row, trouncing Robin Roberts of the Phils 14-2. This sets a new major league record for consecutive wins to start a season (since broken).
1961: The Minnesota Twins, formerly known as the Washington Senators, play their first home game in Minnesota at Metropolitan Stadium losing to the 'new' expansion Washington Senator.
1967: After 737 consecutive games, the Dodgers were rained out for the first time since moving to Los Angeles.
1982: The Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 for their 13th straight victory.
1984: In only his second start since August 1982, Montreal pitcher David Palmer threw five perfect innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 4-0 victory stopped by rain.
1987: The White Sox beat the Brewers 7-1, ending their season-opening winning streak at 13 games. Milwaukee's 13-0 start tied the major league record set by the 1982 Braves.
1991: In the greatest extra-inning comeback in major league history, Pittsburgh scores six in the bottom of the 11th inning to erase a five-run Cubs lead built in the top of the inning on Andre Dawson's grand slam. The Pirates had rallied earlier from a 7-2 deficit to tie the game in the ninth.
1994: Indians first baseman Eddie Murray hits home runs from both sides of the plate in a game for the 11th time in his career to break Mickey Mantle's record. The two homers also move Murray past Dave Kingman into 20th place on the all-time list with 444.
2000: In Cincinnati, the Dodger/Red game is delayed for 27 minutes due to the umpires' equipment being accidentally been shipped to New York. Replacement gear is secured from a downtown store but due to heavy traffic a police escort is needed to get the goods to Cinergy Field.
2002: Atlanta shortstop Rafael Furcal ties a major league record, which was most previously done by White Sox outfielder Lance Johnson in 1995, by hitting three triples in a game. The last time a Braves' player hit three three-baggers in one contest was on June 13, 1956 when Danny O'Connell accomplished the feat.
Today in NHL History April 21th
1928: Former NHL defenseman Jack Evans born in Garnant, South Wales. Evans played in the NHL 1948-49 through 1962-63 with the New York Rangers and Chicago. Evans later coached with Oakland, Cleveland, and Hartford.
1938: Toe Blake scored the winning goal in overtime, as Montreal beat Detroit 5-4 before a crowd of 8,000 in Earlscourt, England, in the first of a nine game European tour between the two teams. Games were played in England and France.
1945: Detroit's rookie goalie Harry Lumley recorded his second career playoff shutout and Ed "Mud" Bruneteau scored at 14:16 of overtime to give the Red Wings a 1-0 win at Toronto, in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals.
1947: Former NHL defenseman Nick Beverley born in Toronto, Ont. Beverley played in the NHL 1966-67 through 1979-80 with Boston, Pittsburgh, the New York Rangers, Minnesota, Los Angeles and the Colorado Rockies.
1951: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bill Barilko scored the Cup-winning goal at 2:53 of overtime to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game Five of the 1951 Final. It was the only Stanley Cup series in which every game had ended in overtime. Toronto’s Sid Smith, Ted Kennedy, Harry Watson, Barilko and Montreal’s Maurice “Rocket” Richard each netted overtime winners during the five-game matchup. Barilko died in an off-season plane crash in the summer of 1951, though his remains would not be discovered until 1962.
1968: Dickie Moore scored a goal and added two assists to lead the Blues to a 5-3 playoff win over the Minnesota North Stars, in Game One of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals in St. Louis.
1974: Boston's John Bucyk tied a Stanley Cup playoff record set in 1939 for most power play goals in one game, when he had three (along with an assist) in an 8-6 Bruins' win over the visiting Chicago Black Hawks in Game 2 of the Semi-Finals.
1978: In a WHA game at Edmonton, Hartford's Gordie Howe scored on the first shift, just minutes after finding out that he had become a grandfather! Mark and Ginger Howe's first son Travis made Gordie the first Grandpa in pro hockey history.
1985: Rookie Chris Chelios scored a goal and added two assists as the Canadiens won 6-4 over the Quebec Nordiques in Game 2 of the Division Finals, at the Forum.
1988: Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky scored a shorthanded goal at 7:54 of overtime to give the Oilers a 5-4 win at Calgary, in Game Two of the Smythe Division Finals. It was just the third shorthanded OT winner in Stanley Cup history.
1989: Phil Bourque fired in a shot from the slot at 12:08 of overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 victory over the Flyers at Philadelphia, and a 2-1 lead in the Patrick Division Finals.
1992: Bryan Trottier became just the second player in NHL history to appear in 200 career playoff games, in a 6-2 Penguins' loss, at Washington. Trottier trailed only Larry Robinson, who retired with 227 career playoff games.
1994: Brian Leetch scored a goal and added three assists as the Rangers won 5-1 over the Islanders, at Long Island in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals. Rangers took a 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.....Joe Reekie scored two goals and goaltender Don Beaupre stopped 27 shots as the Capitals won 2-0 against the Penguins in Washington, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals. Capitals took a 2-1 lead in their first-round series.
1995: Los Angeles Kings fired head coach Barry Melrose. Rogie Vachon was named as interim coach, and in his first game, the Kings tied 3-3 with Edmonton, at the Forum.
1996: Lightning became the 1st NHL team to win its first 2 playoff games in overtime when Alexander Selivanov scored at 2:13 of OT in a 5-4 win over the Flyers before a record crowd of 25,945 in Tampa Bay, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conf. Quarter-Finals.....Glenn Anderson scored the winner at 1:24 of overtime as the Blues won 3-2 over the visiting Leafs, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. Mike Keenan became the 4th man to coach 150 playoff games.
2000: Peter Forsberg scored the winning goal and added an assist as Colorado beat the Coyotes 2-1 to eliminate Phoenix from the playoffs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. It was the Coyotes 10th straight playoff series loss.....Mike Modano had two assists to become the Stars' all-time leader in playoff points as Dallas won 3-2 against the visiting Oilers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. Modano's 84th playoff point put him one ahead of Brian Bellows.
1938: Toe Blake scored the winning goal in overtime, as Montreal beat Detroit 5-4 before a crowd of 8,000 in Earlscourt, England, in the first of a nine game European tour between the two teams. Games were played in England and France.
1945: Detroit's rookie goalie Harry Lumley recorded his second career playoff shutout and Ed "Mud" Bruneteau scored at 14:16 of overtime to give the Red Wings a 1-0 win at Toronto, in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals.
1947: Former NHL defenseman Nick Beverley born in Toronto, Ont. Beverley played in the NHL 1966-67 through 1979-80 with Boston, Pittsburgh, the New York Rangers, Minnesota, Los Angeles and the Colorado Rockies.
1951: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bill Barilko scored the Cup-winning goal at 2:53 of overtime to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game Five of the 1951 Final. It was the only Stanley Cup series in which every game had ended in overtime. Toronto’s Sid Smith, Ted Kennedy, Harry Watson, Barilko and Montreal’s Maurice “Rocket” Richard each netted overtime winners during the five-game matchup. Barilko died in an off-season plane crash in the summer of 1951, though his remains would not be discovered until 1962.
1968: Dickie Moore scored a goal and added two assists to lead the Blues to a 5-3 playoff win over the Minnesota North Stars, in Game One of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals in St. Louis.
1974: Boston's John Bucyk tied a Stanley Cup playoff record set in 1939 for most power play goals in one game, when he had three (along with an assist) in an 8-6 Bruins' win over the visiting Chicago Black Hawks in Game 2 of the Semi-Finals.
1978: In a WHA game at Edmonton, Hartford's Gordie Howe scored on the first shift, just minutes after finding out that he had become a grandfather! Mark and Ginger Howe's first son Travis made Gordie the first Grandpa in pro hockey history.
1985: Rookie Chris Chelios scored a goal and added two assists as the Canadiens won 6-4 over the Quebec Nordiques in Game 2 of the Division Finals, at the Forum.
1988: Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky scored a shorthanded goal at 7:54 of overtime to give the Oilers a 5-4 win at Calgary, in Game Two of the Smythe Division Finals. It was just the third shorthanded OT winner in Stanley Cup history.
1989: Phil Bourque fired in a shot from the slot at 12:08 of overtime to give the Penguins a 4-3 victory over the Flyers at Philadelphia, and a 2-1 lead in the Patrick Division Finals.
1992: Bryan Trottier became just the second player in NHL history to appear in 200 career playoff games, in a 6-2 Penguins' loss, at Washington. Trottier trailed only Larry Robinson, who retired with 227 career playoff games.
1994: Brian Leetch scored a goal and added three assists as the Rangers won 5-1 over the Islanders, at Long Island in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals. Rangers took a 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.....Joe Reekie scored two goals and goaltender Don Beaupre stopped 27 shots as the Capitals won 2-0 against the Penguins in Washington, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals. Capitals took a 2-1 lead in their first-round series.
1995: Los Angeles Kings fired head coach Barry Melrose. Rogie Vachon was named as interim coach, and in his first game, the Kings tied 3-3 with Edmonton, at the Forum.
1996: Lightning became the 1st NHL team to win its first 2 playoff games in overtime when Alexander Selivanov scored at 2:13 of OT in a 5-4 win over the Flyers before a record crowd of 25,945 in Tampa Bay, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conf. Quarter-Finals.....Glenn Anderson scored the winner at 1:24 of overtime as the Blues won 3-2 over the visiting Leafs, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. Mike Keenan became the 4th man to coach 150 playoff games.
2000: Peter Forsberg scored the winning goal and added an assist as Colorado beat the Coyotes 2-1 to eliminate Phoenix from the playoffs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. It was the Coyotes 10th straight playoff series loss.....Mike Modano had two assists to become the Stars' all-time leader in playoff points as Dallas won 3-2 against the visiting Oilers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. Modano's 84th playoff point put him one ahead of Brian Bellows.
Friday, April 18, 2008
April 18th
WILD GAME NOTES (4/17, 3-2 loss to Avalanche)
G Niklas Backstrom made 14 saves for Minnesota in suffering his third loss of the postseason.
RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard's first period power-play goal marked the Wild's first goal in the opening 40 minutes of any game in this series. The Wild has been outscored 10-0 in the first two periods, including LW Andrew Brunette's goal at 12:24 of the first, and hadn't scored a goal on it's first 50 first period shots of the series. Bouchard netted his second goal of the series and third of his post-season career. He scored the game-winner in overtime in Game 3.
LW Brian Rolston's goal at 19:57 of the final stanza marked the fifth consecutive playoff game that the Wild has scored in the third period. It marked Rolston's second goal of the postseason and, combined with his assist on Bouchard's second period goal, gives him a team-leading six points i the postseason (2-4=6)
C James Sheppard earned the first point in his playoff career with an assist on Rolston's goal.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, when a best-of-seven NHL post-season series is tied 2-2, the Game 5 victor has gone on to win the seres 158 of 196 times (80.6 percent). Minnesota is a combined 6-2 in games five, six and seven.
The Wild has twice won a series when trailing 3-2. The Wild is the lone team in NHL history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in back-to-back playoff series - against Colorado and Vancouver in 2003. Minnesota is 7-2 all-time in elimination games.
Colorado has won games 4 and 5 by a combined 8-3 margin.
Before the Avs tallied a pair of third period goals tonight, the Wild had a 7-2 third-period advantage in the series, and a 9-3 bulge counting overtime. The Wild has led for 4:31 of the 324:23 played in the series - 1.4 percent of the time played.
The Wild fell to 4-9 all-time in home playoff games. A victory tonight would have marked Minnesota's first set of back-to-back victories at home in franchise history.
Minnesota has allowed the game's first goal in nine straight playoff games, dating back to Game 1 of the 2007 Western Conference Quarterfinals versus Anaheim - the last time the Wild scored first.
Wild D Erik Reitz made his NHL playoff debut.
Minnesota's 40 shots toed a team record for a playoff game last accomplished on April 17, 2007, in a 4-1 win over Anaheim in Game 4 of the conference quarterfinals. The Wild's 17 first-period shots were a team playoff record. The old mark of 16 was set May 14, 2003, inthe first period of a 4-0 loss at Anaheim in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
OSSY TO START GAME 5 FOR WINGS
Mike Babcock's plan to abandon his goalie rotation in the Stanley Cup playoffs was short-lived.
Dominik Hasek, who started Detroit's first four games of a Western Conference quarter-final against Nashville, was told by the Red Wings coach on Thursday he would be sitting for Game 5.
Instead, Chris Osgood will get the call at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit after stopping all 13 shots he faced in relief of Hasek in a 3-2 loss Wednesday in Nashville.
The Predators beat Hasek three times on 14 shots in Game 4 to even the first-round series at two games apiece.
Osgood appeared in 43 regular-season games and Hasek in 41, but Babcock had planned only to play the six-time Vezina Trophy winner in the post-season.
Both goaltenders have plenty of playoff experience. Osgood was in net when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1998, with Hasek a starter for Detroit's championship team four years later.
Todays NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(8) Nashville @ (1) Detroit--Game 5--630pm--Versus (series tied 2-2)
-(5) NY Rangers @ (4) New Jersey--Game 5--630pm (Rangers lead series 3-1)
-(5) Dallas @ (4) Anaheim--Game 5--930pm--Versus (Stars lead series 3-1)
G Niklas Backstrom made 14 saves for Minnesota in suffering his third loss of the postseason.
RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard's first period power-play goal marked the Wild's first goal in the opening 40 minutes of any game in this series. The Wild has been outscored 10-0 in the first two periods, including LW Andrew Brunette's goal at 12:24 of the first, and hadn't scored a goal on it's first 50 first period shots of the series. Bouchard netted his second goal of the series and third of his post-season career. He scored the game-winner in overtime in Game 3.
LW Brian Rolston's goal at 19:57 of the final stanza marked the fifth consecutive playoff game that the Wild has scored in the third period. It marked Rolston's second goal of the postseason and, combined with his assist on Bouchard's second period goal, gives him a team-leading six points i the postseason (2-4=6)
C James Sheppard earned the first point in his playoff career with an assist on Rolston's goal.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, when a best-of-seven NHL post-season series is tied 2-2, the Game 5 victor has gone on to win the seres 158 of 196 times (80.6 percent). Minnesota is a combined 6-2 in games five, six and seven.
The Wild has twice won a series when trailing 3-2. The Wild is the lone team in NHL history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in back-to-back playoff series - against Colorado and Vancouver in 2003. Minnesota is 7-2 all-time in elimination games.
Colorado has won games 4 and 5 by a combined 8-3 margin.
Before the Avs tallied a pair of third period goals tonight, the Wild had a 7-2 third-period advantage in the series, and a 9-3 bulge counting overtime. The Wild has led for 4:31 of the 324:23 played in the series - 1.4 percent of the time played.
The Wild fell to 4-9 all-time in home playoff games. A victory tonight would have marked Minnesota's first set of back-to-back victories at home in franchise history.
Minnesota has allowed the game's first goal in nine straight playoff games, dating back to Game 1 of the 2007 Western Conference Quarterfinals versus Anaheim - the last time the Wild scored first.
Wild D Erik Reitz made his NHL playoff debut.
Minnesota's 40 shots toed a team record for a playoff game last accomplished on April 17, 2007, in a 4-1 win over Anaheim in Game 4 of the conference quarterfinals. The Wild's 17 first-period shots were a team playoff record. The old mark of 16 was set May 14, 2003, inthe first period of a 4-0 loss at Anaheim in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
OSSY TO START GAME 5 FOR WINGS
Mike Babcock's plan to abandon his goalie rotation in the Stanley Cup playoffs was short-lived.
Dominik Hasek, who started Detroit's first four games of a Western Conference quarter-final against Nashville, was told by the Red Wings coach on Thursday he would be sitting for Game 5.
Instead, Chris Osgood will get the call at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit after stopping all 13 shots he faced in relief of Hasek in a 3-2 loss Wednesday in Nashville.
The Predators beat Hasek three times on 14 shots in Game 4 to even the first-round series at two games apiece.
Osgood appeared in 43 regular-season games and Hasek in 41, but Babcock had planned only to play the six-time Vezina Trophy winner in the post-season.
Both goaltenders have plenty of playoff experience. Osgood was in net when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1998, with Hasek a starter for Detroit's championship team four years later.
Todays NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule
-(8) Nashville @ (1) Detroit--Game 5--630pm--Versus (series tied 2-2)
-(5) NY Rangers @ (4) New Jersey--Game 5--630pm (Rangers lead series 3-1)
-(5) Dallas @ (4) Anaheim--Game 5--930pm--Versus (Stars lead series 3-1)
Today in MLB History April 18th
1899: John McGraw, only 26, made his managerial debut with the Orioles. He led them to a 5-3 victory over the New York Giants, a team he would later manage for more than 30 years.
1923: The debut of Yankee Stadium is a huge success with an announced attendance of 74,217. Bob Shawkey, aided by Babe Ruth's three-run home run, beats Howard Ehmke and the Red Sox 4-1.....At South Field on Columbia’s campus in New York City, a collegian hurler strikes out seventeen batters to establish a school record, but loses the game due to wildness to Williams, 5-1. The young southpaw’s, whose name is Lou Gehrig, will become better known for his hitting,
1925: Charles Ebbets, Dodgers president, dies on the morning of the opener at Ebbets Field, won by New York 7-1. No N.L. games will be played on the April 21, the day of his funeral. Ed McKeever, the new club president, will catch a cold that turns into pneumonia and die on May 27.
1942: Due to the fear of a Japanese attack, west coast military leaders ask the Pacific Coast League to limit crowds to 3,000 fans.
1945: In his major league debut, one-armed outfielder Pete Gray got one hit in four at-bats in the St. Louis Browns' 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
1946: Jackie Robinson debuts as second baseman for the Montreal Royals (International League) and is the first recognized black to play in organized ball this century. A home run and three singles against Jersey City start off the season in which he will win the IL batting championship at .349.
1947: Dodger scout Burt Shotton is the surprise choice to replace Leo Durocher on the third day of the season. Taken to the stadium in a taxi, Shotton manages the club from the dugout in street clothes, a la Connie Mack.
1950: Sam Jethroe becomes the first black to play for the Boston Braves. He has two hits in his major league debut, including a home run. He will go on to become N.L. Rookie of the Year.....The first opening-night game was held in St. Louis. The Cardinals, behind a complete game byGerry Staley and home runs from Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2.
1951: Mickey Mantle goes 1-for-4 in his first game as Yankee southpaw Ed Lopat two-hits the Red Sox, winning 6-1.
1958: Following a downtown parade in the morning, the Giants-Dodgers game in Los Angeles sets an N.L. single-game record with 78,682 fans in attendance, as the Dodgers prevail 6-5. Hank Sauer hits two home runs for the Giants, including the first at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After he scores what would have been the tying run in the ninth, Giants infielder Jim Davenport is called out for falling to touch third base.
1964: Sandy Koufax fans the side on nine pitches in the third inning, becoming the first pitcher to do it twice, but Cincinnati wins 3-0.
1965: California Angels rookie Rudy May has a no-hitter ruined in the eighth inning of his major league debut by Jake Wood's double. The Angels lift him after nine innings of one-hit ball, and Detroit wins in 13 innings.
1981: Reds pitcher Tom Seaver strikes out Keith Hernandez in the fourth inning of a 10-4 loss to the Cardinals, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to register 3,000 career strikeouts.
1982: The Atlanta Braves defeated the Astros 6-5 in Houston to set a National League record as they won their 11th straight game to start the season.
1986: Despite allowing no hits (and only three fair balls hit) with ten strikeouts in five innings, Texas rookie Bobby Witt is lifted in a game in Milwaukee. Why? Witt walks eight, and throws four wild pitches, allowing two runs. Texas rallies for three runs in the ninth to win 7-5.
1987: Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run, a three-run shot off Pittsburgh's Don Robinson in the top of the ninth inning, to give the Phillies an 8-6 win. Schmidt is the 15th major league player to reach 500 home runs.
1991: New Comiskey Park opens with fanfare and a rout. The Tigers are the stars of the day as Detroit mauls the White Sox 16-0.
2000: During the Angel's 16-10 victory over the Blue Jays, a SkyDome promotion becomes a bit too frank as fans get hit with bits of hot dogs when the wieners fall apart after being shot from the 'Hot Dog Blaster'. Undaunted by the fall out, promoters continue to propel the missiles even though the hot dogs repeatedly splatter the onlookers.
1923: The debut of Yankee Stadium is a huge success with an announced attendance of 74,217. Bob Shawkey, aided by Babe Ruth's three-run home run, beats Howard Ehmke and the Red Sox 4-1.....At South Field on Columbia’s campus in New York City, a collegian hurler strikes out seventeen batters to establish a school record, but loses the game due to wildness to Williams, 5-1. The young southpaw’s, whose name is Lou Gehrig, will become better known for his hitting,
1925: Charles Ebbets, Dodgers president, dies on the morning of the opener at Ebbets Field, won by New York 7-1. No N.L. games will be played on the April 21, the day of his funeral. Ed McKeever, the new club president, will catch a cold that turns into pneumonia and die on May 27.
1942: Due to the fear of a Japanese attack, west coast military leaders ask the Pacific Coast League to limit crowds to 3,000 fans.
1945: In his major league debut, one-armed outfielder Pete Gray got one hit in four at-bats in the St. Louis Browns' 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
1946: Jackie Robinson debuts as second baseman for the Montreal Royals (International League) and is the first recognized black to play in organized ball this century. A home run and three singles against Jersey City start off the season in which he will win the IL batting championship at .349.
1947: Dodger scout Burt Shotton is the surprise choice to replace Leo Durocher on the third day of the season. Taken to the stadium in a taxi, Shotton manages the club from the dugout in street clothes, a la Connie Mack.
1950: Sam Jethroe becomes the first black to play for the Boston Braves. He has two hits in his major league debut, including a home run. He will go on to become N.L. Rookie of the Year.....The first opening-night game was held in St. Louis. The Cardinals, behind a complete game byGerry Staley and home runs from Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2.
1951: Mickey Mantle goes 1-for-4 in his first game as Yankee southpaw Ed Lopat two-hits the Red Sox, winning 6-1.
1958: Following a downtown parade in the morning, the Giants-Dodgers game in Los Angeles sets an N.L. single-game record with 78,682 fans in attendance, as the Dodgers prevail 6-5. Hank Sauer hits two home runs for the Giants, including the first at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After he scores what would have been the tying run in the ninth, Giants infielder Jim Davenport is called out for falling to touch third base.
1964: Sandy Koufax fans the side on nine pitches in the third inning, becoming the first pitcher to do it twice, but Cincinnati wins 3-0.
1965: California Angels rookie Rudy May has a no-hitter ruined in the eighth inning of his major league debut by Jake Wood's double. The Angels lift him after nine innings of one-hit ball, and Detroit wins in 13 innings.
1981: Reds pitcher Tom Seaver strikes out Keith Hernandez in the fourth inning of a 10-4 loss to the Cardinals, becoming the fifth pitcher in major league history to register 3,000 career strikeouts.
1982: The Atlanta Braves defeated the Astros 6-5 in Houston to set a National League record as they won their 11th straight game to start the season.
1986: Despite allowing no hits (and only three fair balls hit) with ten strikeouts in five innings, Texas rookie Bobby Witt is lifted in a game in Milwaukee. Why? Witt walks eight, and throws four wild pitches, allowing two runs. Texas rallies for three runs in the ninth to win 7-5.
1987: Mike Schmidt hits his 500th career home run, a three-run shot off Pittsburgh's Don Robinson in the top of the ninth inning, to give the Phillies an 8-6 win. Schmidt is the 15th major league player to reach 500 home runs.
1991: New Comiskey Park opens with fanfare and a rout. The Tigers are the stars of the day as Detroit mauls the White Sox 16-0.
2000: During the Angel's 16-10 victory over the Blue Jays, a SkyDome promotion becomes a bit too frank as fans get hit with bits of hot dogs when the wieners fall apart after being shot from the 'Hot Dog Blaster'. Undaunted by the fall out, promoters continue to propel the missiles even though the hot dogs repeatedly splatter the onlookers.
Today in NHL History April 18th
1942: The Toronto Maple Leafs completed the greatest comeback in Stanley Cup history with their fourth straight victory after losing the first three games of the Final to the Detroit Red Wings. Leafs goaltender Turk Broda provided the heroics, allowing the Red Wings only seven goals in the last four games, including this 3-1 series-ending victory.
1959: Montreal Canadiens left winger Marcel Bonin scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal at 9:55 of the second period en route to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six. This victory ended the series and gave Montreal the fourth of its record five straight Stanley Cup titles.
1963: In Game Five of the 1963 Final, Toronto Maple Leafs center Dave Keon scored two shorthanded goals against the Detroit Red Wings, setting a single-game playoff record. Keon’s heroics led Toronto to a 3-1 Cup-winning triumph over Detroit. It marked the second of three straight Stanley Cups for the Leafs.
1968: Milan Marcetta scored two goals and two assists and Dave Balon had a goal and three assists in the Minnesota North Stars' 9-4 playoff win against the Kings, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals, in Los Angeles.....St. Louis Blues beat the Flyers 3-1 in the seventh (and final) game of their Quarter-Final series -- the first playoff series win in St. Louis' first NHL season. The Blues advanced to the finals, where they lost to Montreal.
1972: Rod Gilbert scored twice in the final period to lead the Rangers to a 5-3 win at Chicago, in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals.
1987: Pat LaFontaine scored the dramatic game-winning goal at 8:42 of the fourth overtime period in Game Seven of the Patrick Division Semifinal versus Washington. Islanders' goalie Kelly Hrudey made 73 saves for the victory.
1992: Larry Robinson tied Gordie Howe's all time record for most years in the playoffs when he appeared for the 20th year, in the Kings' 3-1 loss to Edmonton. He also extended his own NHL record for consecutive playoff appearances.
1993: Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-3 over the Devils at the Civic Arena to tie an NHL record with their 12th consecutive playoff victory. The record was set in 1984-85 by the Edmonton Oilers. Mario Lemieux scored two goals and two assists.....Defenseman Darryl Sydor scored 16 seconds into the game, and Jimmy Carson added two goals to give the Kings a 6-1 win at Calgary, in Game 1 of the Smythe Division Semi-Finals.
1994: The San Jose Sharks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in Game One of their Western Conference Quarter-final series to become the first club since the 1975 New York Islanders to win the first Stanley Cup playoff game in franchise history. Since the Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 on April 8, 1975, seven clubs had lost their playoff debuts prior to San Jose’s win.....The New York Rangers posted their second consecutive 6-0 shutout to open the Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Islanders. The Rangers became the first club to open the postseason with consecutive shutouts since the Buffalo Sabres defeated Montreal 1-0 and 3-0 in 1983.....Vancouver goalie Kirk McLean recorded the first of his four 1994 playoff shutout (and the third of his playoff career) as the Canucks won 5-0 at Calgary, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.
1996: Brian Bellows scored the winning goal at 9:05 of overtime as the Lightning won 2-1, at Philadelphia in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals, for Tampa Bay's first all-time playoff victory.
1997: Red Wings' Larry Murphy became the first defenseman to score playoff goals for 5 different NHL teams, as Detroit won 2-1 over the visiting St. Louis Blues, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.....Boston Bruins fired head coach Steve Kasper, one week after the Bruins' 1996-97 season ended, after the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 1967. He was later replaced by Pat Burns.
1998: Peter Bondra scored his 50th goal of the season for the second time in his career (the fourth NHL player to reach 50 goals in 1997-98) in the Capitals 4-3 win against the Hurricanes, in North Carolina.
1999: Wayne Gretzky got his final point (2,847) of his NHL career on an assist when the Rangers lost 2-1 in overtime against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, in the Rangers' final game of the season.
2001: Kings capped a comeback from a 3-goal deficit with 3 goals in the final 6:02 of the game. Then rookie Eric Belanger's OT goal at 2:36 won it, as Los Angeles beat the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-3, in Game 4 of the West. Conference Quarter-Finals.....Colorado's Patrick Roy became the first goaltender in NHL history to play in 200 playoff games, and picked up his 125th playoff victory as the Avalanche won 5-1 against the Canucks, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals, in Vancouver.
1959: Montreal Canadiens left winger Marcel Bonin scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal at 9:55 of the second period en route to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six. This victory ended the series and gave Montreal the fourth of its record five straight Stanley Cup titles.
1963: In Game Five of the 1963 Final, Toronto Maple Leafs center Dave Keon scored two shorthanded goals against the Detroit Red Wings, setting a single-game playoff record. Keon’s heroics led Toronto to a 3-1 Cup-winning triumph over Detroit. It marked the second of three straight Stanley Cups for the Leafs.
1968: Milan Marcetta scored two goals and two assists and Dave Balon had a goal and three assists in the Minnesota North Stars' 9-4 playoff win against the Kings, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Quarter-Finals, in Los Angeles.....St. Louis Blues beat the Flyers 3-1 in the seventh (and final) game of their Quarter-Final series -- the first playoff series win in St. Louis' first NHL season. The Blues advanced to the finals, where they lost to Montreal.
1972: Rod Gilbert scored twice in the final period to lead the Rangers to a 5-3 win at Chicago, in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals.
1987: Pat LaFontaine scored the dramatic game-winning goal at 8:42 of the fourth overtime period in Game Seven of the Patrick Division Semifinal versus Washington. Islanders' goalie Kelly Hrudey made 73 saves for the victory.
1992: Larry Robinson tied Gordie Howe's all time record for most years in the playoffs when he appeared for the 20th year, in the Kings' 3-1 loss to Edmonton. He also extended his own NHL record for consecutive playoff appearances.
1993: Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-3 over the Devils at the Civic Arena to tie an NHL record with their 12th consecutive playoff victory. The record was set in 1984-85 by the Edmonton Oilers. Mario Lemieux scored two goals and two assists.....Defenseman Darryl Sydor scored 16 seconds into the game, and Jimmy Carson added two goals to give the Kings a 6-1 win at Calgary, in Game 1 of the Smythe Division Semi-Finals.
1994: The San Jose Sharks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in Game One of their Western Conference Quarter-final series to become the first club since the 1975 New York Islanders to win the first Stanley Cup playoff game in franchise history. Since the Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 on April 8, 1975, seven clubs had lost their playoff debuts prior to San Jose’s win.....The New York Rangers posted their second consecutive 6-0 shutout to open the Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Islanders. The Rangers became the first club to open the postseason with consecutive shutouts since the Buffalo Sabres defeated Montreal 1-0 and 3-0 in 1983.....Vancouver goalie Kirk McLean recorded the first of his four 1994 playoff shutout (and the third of his playoff career) as the Canucks won 5-0 at Calgary, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.
1996: Brian Bellows scored the winning goal at 9:05 of overtime as the Lightning won 2-1, at Philadelphia in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals, for Tampa Bay's first all-time playoff victory.
1997: Red Wings' Larry Murphy became the first defenseman to score playoff goals for 5 different NHL teams, as Detroit won 2-1 over the visiting St. Louis Blues, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals.....Boston Bruins fired head coach Steve Kasper, one week after the Bruins' 1996-97 season ended, after the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 1967. He was later replaced by Pat Burns.
1998: Peter Bondra scored his 50th goal of the season for the second time in his career (the fourth NHL player to reach 50 goals in 1997-98) in the Capitals 4-3 win against the Hurricanes, in North Carolina.
1999: Wayne Gretzky got his final point (2,847) of his NHL career on an assist when the Rangers lost 2-1 in overtime against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, in the Rangers' final game of the season.
2001: Kings capped a comeback from a 3-goal deficit with 3 goals in the final 6:02 of the game. Then rookie Eric Belanger's OT goal at 2:36 won it, as Los Angeles beat the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-3, in Game 4 of the West. Conference Quarter-Finals.....Colorado's Patrick Roy became the first goaltender in NHL history to play in 200 playoff games, and picked up his 125th playoff victory as the Avalanche won 5-1 against the Canucks, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals, in Vancouver.
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