Leon Draisaitl (1-3—4) and Adam Larsson (2-1—3) collected three points apiece during a six-goal third period to help the Oilers outlast the Ducks, 5-3, and take a 1-0 series lead.
Draisaitl, 21, became just the second player in Oilers history to record at least four points in a playoff game before his 22nd birthday – Wayne Gretzky achieved the feat twice in 1981 at age 20 and twice in 1982 at age 21.
Larsson became the first Oilers defenseman to post multiple goals in a playoff game since Brian Glynn in Game 1 of the 1992 Division Semifinals at LAK. Elias says that Larsson is the first defenseman in Oilers history to register at least three points in the third period of a playoff game.
Draisaitl and Larsson – who each matched a career high for points in a game (regular-season and playoffs) – became just the third pair of Oilers teammates to each record at least three points in the same period of a playoff game and the first to do so in the third period.
Edmonton became the first team to defeat Anaheim in regulation since March 10, ending the Ducks’ run at 18 games (15-0-3, regular-season and playoffs). The Oilers also became the first visiting team to win in regulation at Honda Center since March 5, ending Anaheim’s 12-game streak (11-0-1, regular season and playoffs).
Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (1-1—2) scored his 33rd career playoff goal (all w/ ANA) to tie Corey Perry for second place in Ducks history, behind Teemu Selanne (35).
PREDATORS POST FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN TO OPEN SECOND ROUND
P.K. Subban collected 1-2—3 and Vernon Fiddler scored the go-ahead goal with 5:05 remaining in regulation to lead Nashville past St. Louis in their first ever playoff meeting.
The Predators, who swept the Blackhawks in the First Round, are the first team to start a postseason with five consecutive victories since 2015, when the Ducks won their first six contests. Nashville last won five consecutive games during the 2015-16 regular season, when they posted a 5-0-0 run from Feb. 22 – March 1, 2016.
Subban established a franchise playoff record for points in a game by a defenseman, his second such performance in the postseason (0-3—3 in Game 3 of 2010 CF vs. PHI w/ MTL). Paul Kariya is the only Predators player to register more points in a playoff game (0-4—4 in Game 1 of 2006 CQF vs. SJS).
Fiddler, who played his first game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scored his fifth career playoff goal and first game-winner (43 GP). Colin Wilson also scored in his first game this postseason.
OVECHKIN RENEWS PLAYOFF RIVALRY WITH CROSBY
Captains Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are set to face off in the playoffs for the third time (and second in as many years) when the Capitals and Penguins begin their 10th all-time playoff meeting at Verizon Center in Washington. Ovechkin (10-11—21) and Crosby (8-7—15) have each averaged more than a point per game in their previous 13 playoff meetings. Pittsburgh has won eight of their nine previous playoff series against Washington and has eliminated the Capitals en route to each of their four championships (1991, 1992, 2009 and 2016).
SENATORS, RANGERS SET FOR SECOND ALL-TIME PLAYOFF MEETING
The Rangers visit the Senators for Game 1 of their second all-time playoff meeting and first since the 2012 Conference Quarterfinals, a seven-game series won by New York. The Senators held a 2-1-0 record in their regular-season series against the Rangers (1-2-0) in 2016-17, highlighted by a 33-save shutout by goaltender Craig Anderson on Nov. 27. These teams made one of the biggest trades of last summer when Ottawa acquired forward Derick Brassard from New York in exchange for forward Mika Zibanejad – both Brassard (2-6—8) and Zibanejad (1-3—4) led their clubs in scoring during the First Round.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Nashville 4, ST. LOUIS 3 – NSH leads 1-0
Edmonton 5, ANAHEIM 3 – EDM leads 1-0
THURSDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)
NY Rangers @ Ottawa, Game 1, 7 p.m., CNBC, CBC, TVAS
Pittsburgh @ Washington, Game 1, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN, SN, TVAS2
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
