NHL Three Stars: Predators beat Blues; Oilers down Ducks
No. 1 Star: P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators
Subban scored a goal and notched two assists in the Predators’ 4-3 Game 1 win over the St. Louis Blues. The three points were a 2017 postseason high for Subban, who came into the game with two assists in his previous four contests. The Predators are now up 1-0 in their series and remained undefeated this playoff. Nashville became the first team to start the postseason 5-0 since the Anaheim Ducks in 2015.
No. 2 Star: Adam Larsson, Edmonton Oilers
Larsson scored two goals – including the game-winner – and added an assist in his team’s 5-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of their second-round series. The two goals were a career high for Larsson and he became the first Oilers defenseman to post a two-goal playoff game since Brian Glynn on April 18, 1992 against the Los Angeles Kings. With the Win the Oilers took a 1-0 series lead. The Oilers are 9-2 all time in playoff series where they win Game 1 on the road.
No. 3 Star: Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Draisaitl scored a goal and notched three assists in his team’s victory. He became the first Oilers player age 21-or-younger to record four points in a playoff game since Wayne Gretzky on April 10, 1982. He also became the first Oilers player to have a one goal, three assist playoff game since Bernie Nicholls on April 26, 1992 against the Kings.
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Honorable Mention: Nashville forward Vernon Fiddler scored the game-winner in his team’s victory. This came at the 14:55 mark of the third period. … Predators forward Filip Forsberg scored a goal. … Nashville forward Colin Wilson scored a goal in his first game of the playoffs. … The Blues got one goal each from forwards Vladimir Sobotka and Jaden Schwartz along with defenseman Colton Parayko. … Oilers forward Mark Letestu scored two power play goals. … Edmonton defenseman Oscar Klefbom notched one assist, as did forwards Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. … Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf scored a goal and added an assist. … Anaheim forward Ryan Kesler notched two assists. … Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler notched an assist and played 26:33 in his first action this playoff. Fowler had been out since April 4 because of a knee injury.
Did you know? Road teams are now 25-19 in the NHL this postseason. Home team winning percentage in the playoffs (currently .432) has declined each year since 2013.
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Dishonorable Mention: St. Louis goaltender Jake Allen allowed four goals on 32 shots on goal. The four goals were the most the Blues had allowed in a single game this postseason. … Ducks goaltender John Gibson allowed four goals on 31 shots on goal. … The loss against the Oilers was Anaheim’s first since March 10. … The Ducks allowed two power play goals. Anaheim now has the worst penalty kill in the playoffs at 62.5 percent.
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