May 4th Stanley Cup Playoffs Morning Skate

THURSDAY RESULTS 

Pittsburgh 4 Washington 1
Nashville 2 Winnipeg 1

PREDATORS SNAP JETS’ HOME WIN STREAK WITH GAME 4 VICTORY

P.K. Subban scored the decisive goal in the second period as the Predators also evened their Second Round series at 2-2.

* Nashville snapped Winnipeg’s home winning streak at 13 games dating to March 2 (regular season and playoffs). The Predators, who also were the last team to defeat the Jets at Bell MTS Place (6-5 W on Feb. 27), shared the League lead with a franchise-record 25 road wins during the regular season.

* Nashville, which suffered a 7-4 loss in Game 3, became the fourth team in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs to earn a win immediately following a game in which it allowed at least seven goals. The Predators joined the Flyers (Game 2 of FR at PIT), Maple Leafs (Game 3 of FR vs. BOS) and Sharks (Game 2 of SR at VGK).


* Subban, who has scored in three consecutive games (3-2—5), netted his 16th career playoff goal. Only two defensemen have registered more postseason goals since Subban made his NHL debut in 2009-10: Blackhawks teammates Brent Seabrook (19) and Duncan Keith (18).


GUENTZEL CONTINUES TORRID PACE AS PENGUINS EVEN SERIES
Jake Guentzel scored twice to extend his point streak to eight games (9-8—17) and help the Penguins even their Second Round series at 2-2.

* Guentzel leads the League with 10-11—21 in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (10 GP), matching his total from the entire 2017 postseason (13-8—21 in 25 GP) when he equaled the NHL record for points by a rookie in a single playoff year. Only one other player in League history has scored 10-plus goals in each of his first two postseason appearances: Mario Lemieux, who did so in each of his first three playoff years (also w/ PIT: 1989, 1991 and 1992).

* Guentzel became the seventh different player in NHL history to record at least 20 points within his team’s first 10 games of a postseason. Wayne Gretzky achieved the feat five times and owns the top two spots on the list with 11-18—29 in 1983 and 7-18—25 in 1985, both with the Oilers. The others: Mark Messier (1983 and 1988 w/ EDM), Rick Middleton (1983 w/ BOS), Barry Pederson (1983 w/ BOS), Darryl Sittler (1977 w/ TOR) and Mike Bossy (1981 w/ NYI).

* Guentzel has collected 23-19—42 in 35 career postseason games. Only eight players in NHL history have scored more goals through their first 35 career playoff appearances, including one member of the Penguins (Lemieux):

* Sidney Crosby (0-2—2) boosted his career playoff totals to 65-118—183 to move into a tie with Bryan Trottier (71-112—183) and Nicklas Lidstrom (54-129—183) for 11th place on the NHL’s all-time postseason points list. He also passed Larry Robinson (116) for sole possession of 12th place on the League’s all-time playoff assists list.

* Evgeni Malkin (62-102—164), meanwhile, scored the winning goal to tie Denis Potvin (56-108—164) for 20th place on the NHL’s all-time playoff points list and Bobby Hull for 26th place on the League’s all-time postseason goals list.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
The Bruins look to even their series with the Lightning at 2-2, while the Golden Knights and Sharks shift back to Las Vegas with their series tied 2-2. Only one second round in NHL postseason history has featured all four series tied at 2-2 after four games (since 1974-75): 1986 (NYR vs. WSH, STL vs. TOR, EDM vs. CGY, HFD vs. MTL).

(NHL Media)