2016 Stanley Cup playoffs

August 2023 Playoff tournament of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs logo.svg 2016 April 13–June 12, 2016 16 Chicago Blackhawks Pittsburgh Penguins San Jose Sharks Scoring leader(s) Logan Couture (Sharks) 30 points MVP Sidney Crosby (Penguins) 2015 2017 The 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2015–16 season. They began on April 13, 2016, and ended on June 12, 2016, with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning the cup by defeating the San Jose Sharks four games to two, for their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history. For only the second time in league history (1970 being the only other time), none of the NHL's seven Canadian-based teams qualified for the postseason.Stubbs Dave Woe Canada. No playoffs this year north of border https://www.nhl.com/news/no-canadian-nhl-teams-in-stanley-cup-playoffs-279984346 NHL.com NHL Enterprises, L.P. March 31, 2016 March 31, 2016 In addition, for the second season in a row and only the fifth (and most recent) time since joining the league in 1979, all four former WHA teams (the Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche) missed the playoffs. The Washington Capitals made the playoffs as the Presidents' Trophy winners with the most points (i.e. best record) during the regular season. This was the final season of the Detroit Red Wings' 25-season playoff appearance streak, the longest streak at the time and tied for third longest in NHL history.Stars secure No. 1 seed in West https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-detroit-red-wings-make-stanley-cup-playoffs-for-25th-stra-280215548 NHL.com NHL Enterprises, L.P. April 10, 2016 April 10, 2016 The Florida Panthers qualified for the playoffs for only the second time since the 1999–2000 season—both times winning their division—and fifth time in franchise history.Fialkov Harvey Florida Panthers clinch fifth playoff berth in franchise history http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-panthers/sfl-florida-panthers-clinch-playoff-berth-with-bruins-loss-20160403-story.html April 10, 2016 Sun-Sentinel Tribune Publishing April 3, 2016 For the fourth time in six years, all three California-based teams made the playoffs in the same season. And, for only the second time ever (1996 being the only other time), both Florida-based teams made the playoffs in the same season. For the first time since 2006, and only the third time in league history, all Original Six teams who made the playoffs (three in total) were eliminated in the first round. The New York Islanders won their first post-season series since the 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs, ending the third longest post-season win drought in NHL history. For the seventh consecutive season and eleventh out of thirteen seasons, a team from California was in the Western Conference final.http://www.todaysslapshot.com/from-the-ice/sharks-dominate-predators-advance-conference-final/ Sharks dominate Predators, advance to conference final Erskine Scott Nafstrops Media, LLC May 12, 2016 Today's Slapshot May 14, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160822142754/http://www.todaysslapshot.com/from-the-ice/sharks-dominate-predators-advance-conference-final August 22, 2016 dead For the first time since 2002, no team lost in a four-game sweep in a playoff series.http://www.puckreport.com/2009/05/nhl-playoff-sweeps.html NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Sweeps MG June 5, 2016 The Puck Report June 16, 2016 Playoff seeds Stanley Cup playoffs#Current format This was the third year in which the top three teams in each division make the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference (for a total of eight playoff teams from each conference). The following teams qualified for the playoffs: Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Florida Panthers, Atlantic Division champions – 103 points Tampa Bay Lightning – 97 points Detroit Red Wings – 93 points Metropolitan Division Washington Capitals, Metropolitan Division champions, Eastern Conference regular season champions, Presidents' Trophy winners – 120 points Pittsburgh Penguins – 104 points New York Rangers – 101 points Wild cards New York Islanders – 100 points Philadelphia Flyers – 96 points Western Conference Central Division Dallas Stars, Central Division champions, Western Conference regular season champions – 109 points St. Louis Blues – 107 points Chicago Blackhawks – 103 points Pacific Division Anaheim Ducks, Pacific Division champions – 103 points Los Angeles Kings – 102 points San Jose Sharks – 98 points Wild cards Nashville Predators – 96 points Minnesota Wild – 87 points Playoff bracket In each round, teams competed in a best-of-seven series following a 2–2–1–1–1 format (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each best-of-seven series). The team with home ice advantage played at home for games one and two (and games five and seven, if necessary), and the other team was at home for games three and four (and game six, if necessary). The top three teams in each division made the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference, for a total of eight teams from each conference. The Wild Card seeded in the Western Conference were previously Central 1 vs Wild Card 1 and Pacific 1 vs Wild Card 2 in the 2014 and 2015 playoffs. In the 2016 playoffs the Wild Card seeded in the Western Conference swapped places Central 1 vs Wild Card 2 and Pacific 1 vs Wild Card 1, while the Eastern Conference Wild Card seeded remain to the same Atlantic 1 vs Wild Card 1 and Metropolitan 1 vs Wild Card 2. In the first round, the lower seeded wild card in the conference played against the division winner with the best record while the other wild card played against the other division winner, and both wild cards were de facto #4 seeds. The other series matched the second and third place teams from the divisions. In the first two rounds, home ice advantage was awarded to the team with the better seed; in the last two rounds, it was awarded to the team that had the better regular season record. main Bracket First round Second round Conference finals Stanley Cup Finals Eastern Conference Western Conference A1 Florida 2 WC1 NY Islanders 4 A2 Tampa Bay 4 A3 Detroit 1 M1 Washington 4 WC2 Philadelphia 2 M2 Pittsburgh 4 M3 NY Rangers 1 C1 Dallas 4 WC2 Minnesota 2 C2 St. Louis 4 C3 Chicago 3 P1 Anaheim 3 WC1 Nashville 4 P2 Los Angeles 1 P3 San Jose 4 WC1 NY Islanders 1 A2 Tampa Bay 4 M1 Washington 2 M2 Pittsburgh 4 C1 Dallas 3 C2 St. Louis 4 WC1 Nashville 3 P3 San Jose 4 A2 Tampa Bay 3 M2 Pittsburgh 4 C2 St. Louis 2 P3 San Jose 4 M2 Pittsburgh 4 P3 San Jose 2 Legend A1, A2, A3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Atlantic Division, respectively M1, M2, M3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Metropolitan Division, respectively C1, C2, C3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Central Division, respectively P1, P2, P3 – The first, second, and third place teams from the Pacific Division, respectively WC1, WC2 – The first and second place teams in the Wild Card, respectively First round Eastern Conference first round (A1) Florida Panthers vs. (WC1) New York Islanders The Florida Panthers finished first in the Atlantic Division, earning 103 points. The New York Islanders finished as the Eastern Conference's first wild-card, earning 100 points. This was the first meeting between these two teams. Florida won two of the three games of the regular season series. This was the first time that a Stanley Cup playoff series was played at the Barclays Center. The series contained the two teams with the longest playoff win drought in the league (the Islanders had not won a series since 1993, and the Panthers since 1996).Compton Brian Poupart Alain Islanders vs. Panthers First Round series preview https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-florida-panthers-first-round-series-preview-280253594 NHL.com NHL Enterprises, L.P. April 11, 2016 April 11, 2016 The team that both clubs defeated for their last respective playoff series victory were the Pittsburgh Penguins, of which Panthers' right winger Jaromir Jagr was a member. The Islanders defeated the Panthers in six games and won a playoff series for the first time since 1993. John Tavares scored a goal and two assists for the Islanders in a 5–4 win in game one.https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-panthers-in-game-1-280314378?tid=280285222 Tavares, Islanders defeat Panthers in Game 1 Poupart Alain NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 14, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In game two, Roberto Luongo recorded 41 saves in a 3–1 win to help the Panthers tie the series.https://www.nhl.com/news/luongo-helps-panthers-even-series/c-280329378 https://web.archive.org/web/20160423050111/https://www.nhl.com/news/luongo-helps-panthers-even-series/c-280329378 dead April 23, 2016 Luongo makes 41 saves, helps Panthers even series Poupart Alain NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 15, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 The Islanders came back from a two-goal deficit in the second period to win game three in overtime on Thomas Hickey's wrist shot.https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-panthers-game-3-280358950?tid=280345022 Hickey lifts Islanders by Panthers in overtime Satriano David NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 17, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In game four, Jaromir Jagr had an assist to reach 200 points overall in the playoffs. The Panthers won the game 2–1.https://www.nhl.com/news/panthers-defeat-islanders-game-4-280402388?tid=280354240 Petrovic, Panthers top Islanders in Game 4 Kreiser John National Hockey League April 20, 2016 NHL.com April 22, 2016 Games five and six both ended in double-overtime with identical scores of 2–1 and New York winning both games. In game five, Alan Quine scored the game-winner on a power play 16:00 into the second overtime. Thomas Greiss made 47 saves in the victory.https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-panthers-game-5-double-overtime-280435956 Quine lifts Islanders to double-overtime Game 5 win Poupart Alain NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 22, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In game six, Tavares scored the first New York goal with 54 seconds left in the third period to send the game into overtime. In the second overtime, Tavares scored his second goal and the series winner.https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-panthers-game-6-280464574 Tavares scores in double overtime, Islanders advance Morreale Mike G. NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 24, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 New York Islanders Florida Panthers Barclays Center BB&T Center April 14 5–4 1 www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-panthers-in-game-1/c-280314378 Brock Nelson (1) – 06:39Frans Nielsen (1) – pp – 16:46 01:55 – Teddy Purcell (1)13:51 – pp – Jussi Jokinen (1) John Tavares (1) – 19:38 01:31 – Reilly Smith (1) Kyle Okposo (1) – 02:33Ryan Strome (1) – 06:01 06:56 – Reilly Smith (2) Thomas Greiss 42 saves / 46 shots Roberto Luongo 21 saves / 26 shots April 15 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/news/luongo-helps-panthers-even-series/c-280329378 No scoring 04:32 – Reilly Smith (3) No scoring 06:17 – Nick Bjugstad (1) John Tavares (2) – 16:27 19:50 – en – Dmitry Kulikov (1) Thomas Greiss 28 saves / 30 shots Roberto Luongo 41 saves / 42 shots April 17 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-panthers-game-3/c-280358950 No scoring Reilly Smith (4) – 02:25 05:21 – pp – Ryan Pulock (1)11:48 – Shane Prince (1)16:55 – pp – Frans Nielsen (2) Aleksander Barkov (1) – 01:11Nick Bjugstad (2) – 07:23 No scoring No scoring 12:31 – Thomas Hickey (1) No scoring Thomas Greiss 36 saves / 39 shots Roberto Luongo 35 saves / 39 shots April 20 2–1 2 www.nhl.com/news/panthers-defeat-islanders-game-4/c-280402388 No scoring No scoring 19:44 – pp – John Tavares (3) Teddy Purcell (2) – pp – 15:18 No scoring Alex Petrovic (1) – 09:25 Thomas Greiss 27 saves / 29 shots Roberto Luongo 26 saves / 27 shots April 22 2–1 2 1 www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-panthers-game-5/c-280435956 Frans Nielsen (3) – 13:31 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 01:59 – Aleksander Barkov (2) Alan Quine (1) – pp – 16:00 No scoring Thomas Greiss 47 saves / 48 shots Roberto Luongo 40 saves / 42 shots April 24 1–2 2 1 www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-panthers-game-7/c-280464574 No scoring Jonathan Huberdeau (1) – 18:58 No scoring No scoring 19:06 – John Tavares (4) No scoring 10:41 – John Tavares (5) No scoring Thomas Greiss 41 saves / 42 shots Roberto Luongo 49 saves / 51 shots New York won series 4–2 (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Detroit Red Wings The Tampa Bay Lightning finished second in the Atlantic Division, earning 97 points. The Detroit Red Wings earned 93 points to finish third in the Atlantic. This was the second meeting between these teams; their only previous meeting was in last year's Eastern Conference First Round which Tampa Bay won in seven games. The teams split their four-game regular season series this year. The Lightning defeated the Red Wings in five games. Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov scored twice and goalie Ben Bishop made 34 saves in a 3–2 win in Game 1.https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-defeat-red-wings-in-game-1-280296528?tid=280283716 Lightning strike first against Red Wings Long Corey National Hockey League April 13, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016 Tyler Johnson recorded two goals in Game 2 in a 5–2 win for the Lightning.https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-defeat-red-wings-game-2-280328250 Johnson leads Lightning to Game 2 win vs. Red Wings Long Corey National Hockey League April 15, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016 In Game 3, Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard was replaced with Petr Mrazek, who stopped all 16 shots in a 2–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/red-wings-defeat-lightning-game-3-280357616?tid=280345020 Red Wings stifle Lightning, get crucial win Harris Paul National Hockey League April 17, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016 In Game 4, Kucherov had two goals and an assist and Jonathan Drouin assisted on all three goals scored by Tampa Bay in a 3–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/palat-gives-lightning-game-4-win-280385170 Palat gives Lightning Game 4 win Harris Paul National Hockey League April 19, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016 In the final game of the series, Alex Killorn scored with 1:43 left in the third period to give the Lightning a 1–0 lead and the series win.https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-defeat-red-wings-to-advance-280418270 Lightning defeat Red Wings, advance to second round Long Corey NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 21, 2016 NHl.com April 22, 2016 Games 3 and 4 were the last playoff games ever played at Joe Louis Arena. The arena closed after the 2016-17 as the Red Wings moved into Little Caesars Arena. This was the last of 25 consecutive playoff appearances by the Red Wings, and is to date the last time in which they made the playoffs. Detroit Red Wings Tampa Bay Lightning Joe Louis Arena Amalie Arena April 13 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/news/lightning-defeat-red-wings-in-game-1/c-280296528 No scoring 06:23 – Nikita Kucherov (1) Mike Green (1) – 02:11Justin Abdelkader (1) – 04:07 09:29 – Nikita Kucherov (2) No scoring 08:52 – Alex Killorn (1) Jimmy Howard 31 saves / 34 shots Ben Bishop 34 saves / 36 shots April 15 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/news/lightning-defeat-red-wings-game-2/c-280328250 No scoring 15:17 – pp – Nikita Kucherov (3) Dylan Larkin (1) – 03:30 06:46 – Brian Boyle (1) Brad Richards (1) – pp – 04:27 06:32 – Tyler Johnson (1)14:48 – Tyler Johnson (2)17:16 – en – Alex Killorn (2) Jimmy Howard 26 saves / 30 shots Ben Bishop 30 saves / 32 shots April 17 0–2 1 www.nhl.com/news/red-wings-defeat-lightning-game-3/c-280357616 No scoring No scoring 12:42 – Andreas Athanasiou (1)17:22 – Henrik Zetterberg (1) No scoring No scoring No scoring Petr Mrazek 16 saves / 16 shots Ben Bishop 28 saves / 30 shots April 19 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/palat-gives-lightning-game-4-win/c-280385170 No scoring Nikita Kucherov (4) – pp – 05:41 14:53 – Darren Helm (1)19:50 – Gustav Nyquist (1) Nikita Kucherov (5) – pp – 10:31 No scoring Ondrej Palat (1) – pp – 17:01 Petr Mrazek 30 saves / 33 shots Ben Bishop 26 saves / 28 shots April 21 0–1 2 www.nhl.com/news/lightning-defeat-red-wings-to-advance/c-280418270 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 18:17 – Alex Killorn (3) Petr Mrazek 23 saves / 24 shots Ben Bishop 34 saves / 34 shots Tampa Bay won series 4–1 (M1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Philadelphia Flyers The Washington Capitals earned the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best regular season team with 120 points. The Philadelphia Flyers finished as the Eastern Conference's second wild-card, earning 96 points. This was the fifth meeting between these teams; with both teams splitting the four previous series. They last met in the 2008 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which Philadelphia won in seven games. These teams split the four-game regular season series. The Capitals defeated the Flyers in six games. Capitals goalie Braden Holtby shut out the Flyers in game one, stopping all 19 shots he faced in a 2–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-defeat-flyers-in-game-1-280313136?tid=280285220 Holtby shutout lifts Capitals past Flyers in Game 1 Brown Katie NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 14, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In game two, Holtby made 41 saves and a fluke goalAllen Scott April 16, 2016 Jason Chimera scores fluke goal on Steve Mason with deflection from red line https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2016/04/16/jason-chimera-scores-fluke-goal-on-steve-mason-with-deflection-from-red-line/ The Washington Post May 1, 2016 by Capitals forward Jason Chimera turned to be the game-winning goal in a 4–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-defeat-flyers-in-game-2-280343658?tid=280335472 Holtby makes 41 saves, Capitals defeat Flyers Brown Katie NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 16, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 The Capitals scored a franchise record five power play goals to rout the Flyers 6–1 in game three.https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-defeat-flyers-in-game-3-280370374?tid=280350984 Capitals ride power play to big win against Flyers Kimelman Adam NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 18, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In game four, Philadelphia avoided elimination by switching goaltender Steve Mason, who gave up six goals in the previous game, to Michal Neuvirth who made 31 saves in a 2–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/flyers-defeat-capitals-in-game-4-280401612 Neuvirth, Flyers avoid elimination in Game 4 Kimelman Adam NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 20, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 The Flyers forced a sixth game after Neuvirth made 44 saves in a 2–0 win in game five; the Flyers had 11 shots in a playoff win, the fewest ever in franchise history.https://www.nhl.com/news/flyers-defeat-capitals-game-5-280434540 Neuvirth, Flyers shut out Capitals in Game 5 win Brown Katie NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 22, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/flyers-set-franchise-record-fewest-shots-playoff-game-win-anyway/ Flyers set franchise record for fewest shots in a playoff game, win anyway Boylen Ryan Rogers Media April 22, 2016 Sportsnet.ca July 4, 2016 Nicklas Backstrom scored the only goal for the Capitals in game six for his team to move onto the second round.https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-defeat-flyers-game-6-recap-280456932 Capitals defeat Flyers to advance to second round Kimelman Adam NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 24, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 Philadelphia Flyers Washington Capitals Wells Fargo Center Verizon Center April 14 0–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/capitals-defeat-flyers-in-game-1/c-280313136 No scoring No scoring No scoring 16:21 – pp – John Carlson (1) No scoring 16:36 – Jay Beagle (1) Steve Mason 29 saves / 31 shots Braden Holtby 19 saves / 19 shots April 16 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/news/capitals-defeat-flyers-in-game-2/c-280343658 No scoring 14:09 – pp – John Carlson (2) Jakub Voracek (1) – 09:37 02:26 – Jason Chimera (1)17:21 – pp – Alexander Ovechkin (1) No scoring 17:47 – Nicklas Backstrom (1) Steve Mason 19 saves / 23 shots Braden Holtby 41 saves / 42 shots April 18 6–1 2 www.nhl.com/news/capitals-defeat-flyers-in-game-3/c-280370374 00:57 – Michael Raffl (1) Marcus Johansson (1) – pp – 04:43 No scoring Alexander Ovechkin (2) – 08:50 No scoring Evgeny Kuznetsov (1) – pp – 01:58John Carlson (3) – pp – 07:37Alexander Ovechkin (3) – pp – 14:58Jay Beagle (2) – pp – 18:20 Steve Mason 21 saves / 27 shots Braden Holtby 31 saves / 32 shots April 20 1–2 1 www.nhl.com/news/flyers-defeat-capitals-in-game-4/c-280401612 05:51 – pp – Shayne Gostisbehere (1) No scoring 03:51 – Andrew MacDonald (1) No scoring No scoring T. J. Oshie (1) – 02:38 Michal Neuvirth 31 saves / 32 shots Braden Holtby 23 saves / 25 shots April 22 2–0 1 www.nhl.com/news/flyers-defeat-capitals-game-5/c-280434540 No scoring No scoring Ryan White (1) – 07:52 No scoring Chris VandeVelde (1) – en – 19:29 No scoring Michal Neuvirth 44 saves / 44 shots Braden Holtby 9 saves / 10 shots April 24 1–0 2 www.nhl.com/news/capitals-defeat-flyers-game-6-recap/c-280456932 No scoring No scoring No scoring Nicklas Backstrom (2) – 08:59 No scoring No scoring Michal Neuvirth 28 saves / 29 shots Braden Holtby 26 saves / 26 shots Washington won series 4–2 (M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (M3) New York Rangers The Pittsburgh Penguins finished second in the Metropolitan Division, earning 104 points. The New York Rangers earned 101 points in the regular season to finish third in the Metropolitan. This was the seventh meeting between these teams, and the third meeting in three consecutive seasons, with Pittsburgh losing the last two but winning four of the six overall. They last met in last year's Eastern Conference First Round, which the Rangers won in five games. Pittsburgh won three of the four games of the regular season series. The Penguins defeated the Rangers in five games. Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist scored a hat trick in a 5–2 win in game one.https://www.nhl.com/news/c-280297750?tid=280283838 https://web.archive.org/web/20160602105028/https://www.nhl.com/news/c-280297750?tid=280283838 dead June 2, 2016 Zatkoff pushes Penguins past Rangers in Game 1 Crosby Wes NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 13, 2016 NHL.com April 23, 2016 Pittsburgh J. T. Miller had three assists to help the Rangers win 4–2 in game two.https://www.nhl.com/news/rangers-defeat-penguins-game-2-280339934?tid=280335470 Second-period surge leads Rangers by Penguins Crosby Wes NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 16, 2016 NHL.com April 23, 2016 Pittsburgh In game three, Pittsburgh scored three times after New York took a 1–0 lead to win 3–1.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-defeat-rangers-in-game-3-280384608 Murray, Cullen lift Penguins by Rangers in Game 3 Lane John NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 19, 2016 NHL.com April 23, 2016 Evgeni Malkin scored two power play goals and Matt Murray made 31 saves in game four for the Penguins in a 5–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-defeat-rangers-in-game-4-280418826 Malkin, Murray propel Penguins in Game 4 Satriano David NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 21, 2016 NHL.com April 23, 2016 New York City In game five, after the Penguins' four-goal second period, of which Bryan Rust had two goals and an assist, Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault pulled Henrik Lundqvist, who had given up six goals on 23 shots. The Penguins ended the series with a 6–3 victory. It was the first time the Rangers were eliminated in the opening round since 2011, snapping a five-year advancement streak. This was also the first playoff series in which two goaltenders on the same team played in and subsequently won their playoff debut, with Jeff Zatkoff winning game one and Matt Murray winning game three.https://penslabyrinth.com/2016/04/22/pittsburgh-penguins-goaltending-future-bright Pittsburgh Penguins' Goaltending Future is Bright Sparks Sidney FanSided Inc. April 22, 2016 Pens' Labyrinth April 23, 2016/ New York Rangers Pittsburgh Penguins Madison Square Garden Consol Energy Center April 13 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/news/c-280297750 No scoring 19:42 – Patric Hornqvist (1) No scoring 18:56 – Sidney Crosby (1) Derek Stepan (1) – pp – 03:10Derek Stepan (2) – 10:11 05:31 – sh – Tom Kuhnhackl (1)08:02 – pp – Patric Hornqvist (2)17:10 – en – Patric Hornqvist (3) Henrik Lundqvist 10 saves / 11 shotsAntti Raanta 16 saves / 19 shots Jeff Zatkoff 35 saves / 37 shots April 16 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/news/rangers-defeat-penguins-game-2/c-280339934 No scoring No scoring Keith Yandle (1) – 12:38Derick Brassard (1) – 12:56Mats Zuccarello (1) – 16:52 03:21 – pp – Phil Kessel (1) Chris Kreider (1) – 00:39 05:42 – pp – Phil Kessel (2) Henrik Lundqvist 29 saves / 31 shots Jeff Zatkoff 24 saves / 28 shots April 19 3–1 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-defeat-rangers-in-game-3/c-280384608 No scoring No scoring 00:39 – sh – Rick Nash (1) Sidney Crosby (2) – pp – 19:18 No scoring Matt Cullen (1) – 04:16Kris Letang (1) – en – 19:47 Henrik Lundqvist 28 saves / 30 shots Matt Murray 16 saves / 17 shots April 21 5–0 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-defeat-rangers-in-game-4/c-280418826 No scoring Eric Fehr (1) – 01:09Sidney Crosby (3) – pp – 07:11Conor Sheary (1) – 16:12 No scoring Evgeni Malkin (1) – pp – 04:00 No scoring Evgeni Malkin (2) – pp – 03:28 Henrik Lundqvist 14 saves / 18 shotsAntti Raanta 13 saves / 14 shots Matt Murray 31 saves / 31 shots April 23 3–6 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-eliminate-rangers-in-game-5/c-280447060 Rick Nash (2) – 01:02Dominic Moore (1) – 10:35 09:50 – Carl Hagelin (1)11:39 – pp – Phil Kessel (3) No scoring 05:21 – Bryan Rust (1)09:26 – Matt Cullen (2)16:18 – Conor Sheary (2)19:01 – Bryan Rust (2) Chris Kreider (2) – pp – 05:38 No scoring Henrik Lundqvist 17 saves / 23 shotsAntti Raanta 5 saves / 5 shots Matt Murray 38 saves / 41 shots Pittsburgh won series 4–1 Western Conference first round (C1) Dallas Stars vs. (WC2) Minnesota Wild The Dallas Stars finished first in the Central Division, earning 109 points. The Minnesota Wild finished as the Western Conference's second wild-card, earning 87 points. This was the first meeting in the playoffs between Minnesota's current NHL franchise and its former NHL franchise (then known as the North Stars). Dallas won four of the five games of the regular season series. The Stars defeated the Wild in six games. Jamie Benn scored a goal and two assists and goalie Kari Lehtonen made 22 saves for the Stars in game one in a 4–0 victory.https://www.nhl.com/news/stars-win-game-1-against-wild-280315596?tid=280285256 Benn, Spezza lift Stars to Game 1 win against Wild Hunt Steven NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 14, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 Jamie Benn scored the game winner in game two in a 2–1 win for the Stars to take a 2–0 lead in the series.https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-minnesota-wild-game-2-kari-lehtonen-280345496?tid=280335474 Roussel's strange goal helps Stars defeat Wild again Hunt Steven NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 16, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In game three, after Patrick Sharp scored two goals in the first period for the Stars, the Wild scored four consecutive goals to take the lead. Jason Pominville scored two of the Wild goals in a 5–3 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-dallas-stars-stanley-cup-playoffs-game-3-280372490?tid=280350986 Wild have offensive outburst in Game 3 win Myers Dan NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 18, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 Antti Niemi made 28 saves to help the Stars take a 3–1 series lead in a 3–2 win in game four.https://www.nhl.com/news/stars-defeat-wild-in-game-4-280405272 Stars push Wild to brink with Game 4 win Myers Dan NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 20, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 The Wild avoided elimination in game five when forward Mikko Koivu scored his second goal of the game at 4:55 of the first overtime period, in a 5–4 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/wild-win-game-5-against-stars-in-ot-280438796 Wild stay alive with OT win against Stars Hunt Steven NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 22, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In Game six, the Stars took a four-goal lead before the Wild attempted a late comeback by scoring three goals in under five minutes during the third period. Alex Goligoski scored the eventual series-winner for Dallas halfway through the third period as the Stars hung on for a 5–4 victory.https://www.nhl.com/news/stars-hold-off-wild-advance-to-second-round-280460614 Stars survive rally to win Game 6, eliminate Wild Myers Dan NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 24, 2016 NHL.com May 1, 2016 Minnesota Wild Dallas Stars Xcel Energy Center American Airlines Center April 14 0–4 2 www.nhl.com/news/stars-win-game-1-against-wild/c-280315596 No scoring No scoring No scoring 03:53 – Radek Faksa (1)12:17 – Jason Spezza (1) No scoring 14:16 – pp – Patrick Eaves (1)16:00 – en – Jamie Benn (1) Devan Dubnyk 28 saves / 31 shots Kari Lehtonen 22 saves / 22 shots April 16 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-minnesota-wild-game-2-kari-lehtonen/c-280345496 No scoring No scoring No scoring 03:54 – Antoine Roussel (1) Marco Scandella (1) – pp – 12:42 10:23 – Jamie Benn (2) Devan Dubnyk 26 saves / 28 shots Kari Lehtonen 25 saves / 26 shots April 18 3–5 1 www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-dallas-stars-stanley-cup-playoffs-game-3/c-280372490 19:10 – Chris Porter (1) Patrick Sharp (1) – 00:26Patrick Sharp (2) – 04:10 06:04 – Erik Haula (1)19:13 – Jason Pominville (1) No scoring 06:26 – pp – Mikko Koivu (1)18:46 – en – Jason Pominville (2) Colton Sceviour (1) – 13:45 Devan Dubnyk 14 saves / 17 shots Kari Lehtonen 20 saves / 24 shots April 20 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/stars-defeat-wild-in-game-4/c-280405272 No scoring No scoring 05:01 – Jason Pominville (3)10:14 – Charlie Coyle (1) Ales Hemsky (1) – pp – 09:11Patrick Eaves (2) – pp – 13:24Jason Spezza (2) – 18:51 No scoring No scoring Devan Dubnyk 19 saves / 22 shots Antti Niemi 28 saves / 30 shots April 22 5–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/news/wild-win-game-5-against-stars-in-ot/c-280438796 Mikael Granlund (1) – 03:32Jordan Schroeder (1) – 05:16 17:18 – Johnny Oduya (1) No scoring No scoring Nino Niederreiter (1) – 01:50Mikko Koivu (2) – 16:51 01:00 – Jamie Benn (3)08:28 – Jason Spezza (3)08:56 – Alex Goligoski (1) Mikko Koivu (3) – 04:55 No scoring Devan Dubnyk 37 saves / 41 shots Antti Niemi 19 saves / 24 shots April 24 5–4 2 www.nhl.com/news/stars-hold-off-wild-advance-to-second-round/c-280460614 No scoring John Klingberg (1) – pp – 05:56Jason Spezza (4) – 09:07Patrick Sharp (3) – 18:11 No scoring Jamie Benn (4) – 19:36 03:48 – pp – Jared Spurgeon (1)04:04 – Jonas Brodin (1)08:39 – pp – Jared Spurgeon (2)15:13 – Jason Pominville (4) Alex Goligoski (2) – 10:28 Devan Dubnyk 19 saves / 24 shots Kari Lehtonen 25 saves / 29 shots Dallas won series 4–2 (C2) St. Louis Blues vs. (C3) Chicago Blackhawks The St. Louis Blues finished second in the Central Division earning 107 points. The Chicago Blackhawks earned 103 points to finish third in the Central. This was the twelfth playoff meeting between these two rivals with Chicago winning eight of the eleven previous series. Their most recent meeting was the 2014 Western Conference First Round, which Chicago won in six games. St. Louis won three of the five games of the regular season series. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks in seven games after nearly giving up a 3–1 series lead. In game one, neither team scored in regulation; David Backes scored 9:04 into the first overtime for the Blues as goalie Brian Elliott made 35 saves in the win.https://www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-top-chicago-blackhawks-in-overtime-280301276?tid=280284500 Backes' OT goal lifts Blues in Game 1 Korac Louie National Hockey League April 13, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016 In game two, Patrick Kane had two assists to help the Blackhawks win 3–2.https://www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-defeat-blues-in-game-2-280330400?tid=280306130 Keith helps Blackhawks tie series with Blues Korac Louie National Hockey League April 17, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016 The Blues recovered in game three, as Elliot made 44 saves in a 3–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-rally-to-defeat-blackhawks-in-game-3-280354742 Blues score twice in 3rd, top Blackhawks in Game 3 Hedger Brian National Hockey League April 17, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016 Game four saw Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford go after Blues rookie forward Robby Fabbri after the forward was bumped into the goaltender by Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. Five penalties were assessed and the Blackhawks scored on the power play that followed.http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-blackhawks/blackhawks-corey-crawford-goes-after-robby-fabbri Blackhawks: Corey Crawford goes after Robby Fabbri HawksTalk Comcast Sportsnet: Chicago April 19, 2016 CSN Chicago April 23, 2016 Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice for the Blues as they won the game 4–3.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-defeat-blackhawks-game-4-280389054?tid=280350990 Tarasenko powers Blues to Game 4 victory Hedger Brian National Hockey League April 20, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016 Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw was given a one-game suspension and a $5,000 fine after he used a homophobic slur.https://www.nhl.com/news/andrew-shaw-suspended-one-game-fined-5-000-280395876 Blackhawks' Shaw suspended one game, fined $5,000 NHL Public Relations April 20, 2016 NHL.com April 21, 2016https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2634433-andrew-shaw-suspended-for-using-homophobic-slur-latest-details-reaction Andrew Shaw Suspended for Using Homophobic Slur: Latest Details, Reaction Fitzgerald Matt Associated Press April 20, 2016 Bleacher Report April 23, 2016 In game five, the Blues overcame a 3–1 deficit in the third period to send the game to overtime. In double-overtime, Patrick Kane scored the game-winner for the Blackhawks who avoided elimination with a 4–3 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-top-blues-on-kane-s-double-ot-goal-280424200 Blackhawks top Blues in 2 OTs, avoid elimination Korac Louie NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 21, 2016 NHL.com April 23, 2016 The Blackhawks came back from a 3–1 deficit in game six, scoring five unanswered goals in a 6–3 victory to force a seventh game.https://www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-defeat-blues-game-6-280452450 Blackhawks rally past Blues to win Game 6 Hedger Brian NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 23, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In game seven, the Blues took a two-goal lead in the first period before the Blackhawks tied the game on goals by Marian Hossa and Andrew Shaw. In the third period, Troy Brouwer scored the series-winner as the Blues advanced past the opening round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012 with a 3–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-defeat-blackhawks-game-7-280474814 Blues defeat Blackhawks in Game 7 Korac Louie NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 25, 2016 NHL.com April 25, 2016 Chicago Blackhawks St. Louis Blues United Center Scottrade Center April 13 0–1 1 2 www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-top-chicago-blackhawks-in-overtime/c-280301276 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 09:04 – David Backes (1) Corey Crawford 17 saves / 18 shots Brian Elliott 35 saves / 35 shots April 15 3–2 1 www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-defeat-blues-in-game-2/c-280330400 No scoring No scoring Duncan Keith (1) – 19:55 15:20 – Vladimir Tarasenko (1) Andrew Shaw (1) – pp – 15:41Artemi Panarin (1) – en – 18:34 19:58 – Kevin Shattenkirk (1) Corey Crawford 29 saves / 31 shots Brian Elliott 26 saves / 28 shots April 17 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/blues-rally-to-defeat-blackhawks-in-game-3/c-280354742 02:18 – pp – Brent Seabrook (1) Colton Parayko (1) – pp – 12:11 01:04 – Artem Anisimov (1) No scoring No scoring Patrik Berglund (1) – 05:15Jaden Schwartz (1) – pp – 13:22 Corey Crawford 33 saves / 36 shots Brian Elliott 44 saves / 46 shots April 19 4–3 2 www.nhl.com/news/blues-defeat-blackhawks-game-4/c-280389054 No scoring Vladimir Tarasenko (2) – 14:02 09:12 – Andrew Shaw (2)13:09 – pp – Duncan Keith (2) Vladimir Tarasenko (3) – pp – 17:31 14:40 – Duncan Keith (3) Jaden Schwartz (2) – pp – 01:36Alexander Steen (1) – 04:46 Corey Crawford 16 saves / 20 shots Brian Elliott 39 saves / 42 shots April 21 4–3 2 1 www.nhl.com/news/-blackhawks-top-blues-on-kanes-double-ot-goal/c-280424200 No scoring No scoring Marian Hossa (1) – sh – 11:32Artem Anisimov (2) – 15:24Artemi Panarin (2) – 19:59 12:29 – pp – Jaden Schwartz (3) No scoring 06:57 – Robby Fabbri (1)14:50 – David Backes (2) Patrick Kane (1) – 03:07 No scoring Corey Crawford 43 saves / 46 shots Brian Elliott 31 saves / 35 shots April 23 3–6 1 www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-defeat-blues-game-6/c-280452450 03:47 – Andrew Ladd (1) Scottie Upshall (1) – 06:18Alex Pietrangelo (1) – 08:51Vladimir Tarasenko (4) – 11:00 04:13 – pp – Artem Anisimov (3)12:21 – Trevor van Riemsdyk (1)16:18 – Dale Weise (1) No scoring 16:53 – pp – Andrew Shaw (3)17:40 – en – Marian Hossa (2) No scoring Corey Crawford 24 saves / 27 shots Brian Elliott 30 saves / 35 shots April 25 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/news/blues-defeat-blackhawks-game-7/c-280474814 Marian Hossa (3) – 18:30 01:00 – Jori Lehtera (1)13:43 – Colton Parayko (2) Andrew Shaw (4) – pp – 03:20 No scoring No scoring 08:31 – Troy Brouwer (1) Corey Crawford 23 saves / 26 shots Brian Elliott 31 saves / 33 shots St. Louis won series 4–3 (P1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (WC1) Nashville Predators The Anaheim Ducks finished first in the Pacific Division, earning 103 points. The Nashville Predators finished as the Western Conference's first wild-card, earning 96 points. This was the second meeting between these teams in the playoffs; their only previous series was the 2011 Western Conference quarterfinals, which Nashville won in six games. Nashville won two of the three games of the regular season series. For the fourth straight year, the Ducks were eliminated in a seventh game at home after having a 3–2 series lead. James Neal scored 35 seconds into game one and Pekka Rinne made 27 saves for the Predators' 3–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/predators-defeat-ducks-in-game-1-280332594 Forsberg lifts Predators to Game 1 win Mastracco Abbey NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 16, 2016 NHL.com April 24, 2016 In game two, Rinne again made 27 saves in another 3–2 win to take their first ever 2–0 series lead.https://www.nhl.com/news/predators-edge-ducks-in-game-2-280361956?tid=280345032 Predators top Ducks, take first-ever 2-0 series lead Mastracco Abbey NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 17, 2016 NHL.com April 25, 2016 Before game three, Anaheim replaced goaltender John Gibson with Frederik Andersen who stopped all 27 shots he faced in a 3–0 Ducks victory.https://www.nhl.com/news/ducks-defeat-predators-in-game-3-280389052 Andersen, Ducks blank Predators in Game 3 Stanley Robby NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 19, 2016 NHL.com April 25, 2016 Andersen made 30 saves in a 4–1 victory in game four to tie the series.https://www.nhl.com/news/ducks-even-series-predators-game-4-280419740 Andersen, Ducks even series against Predators Stanley Robby NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 21, 2016 NHL.com April 25, 2016 Three players for the Ducks, Ryan Getzlaf, David Perron, and Sami Vatanen, had two points in a 5–2 win in game five to stake the Ducks to a 3–2 series lead.https://www.nhl.com/news/ducks-defeat-predators-game-5-280449798 Ducks grab series lead with Game 5 victory Mastracco Abbey NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 23, 2016 NHL.com April 25, 2016 The Predators forced their first ever seventh game after Rinne made 26 saves in a 3–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/predators-win-to-force-game-7-against-ducks-280474126 Rinne, Predators defeat Ducks to stay alive Stanley Robby NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 25, 2016 NHL.com April 25, 2016 In game seven, Rinne stopped 36 shots for the Predators in a 2–1 win to advance to the second round.https://www.nhl.com/news/predators-hold-off-ducks-in-game-7-280498078 Predators hand Ducks fourth straight Game 7 loss Mastracco Abbey NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 27, 2016 NHL.com May 1, 2016 Nashville Predators Anaheim Ducks Bridgestone Arena Honda Center April 15 3–2 1 www.nhl.com/news/predators-defeat-ducks-in-game-1/c-280332594 James Neal (1) – 00:35 17:39 – pp – Ryan Getzlaf (1) Colin Wilson (1) – 07:55 00:48 – Ryan Kesler (1) Filip Forsberg (1) – 10:25 No scoring Pekka Rinne 27 saves / 29 shots John Gibson 30 saves / 33 shots April 17 3–2 1 www.nhl.com/news/predators-edge-ducks-in-game-2/c-280361956 Mattias Ekholm (1) – 19:04 14:20 – Andrew Cogliano (1) Craig Smith (1) – 09:55Shea Weber (1) – pp – 19:21 No scoring No scoring 17:18 – Nate Thompson (1) Pekka Rinne 27 saves / 29 shots John Gibson 24 saves / 27 shots April 19 3–0 2 www.nhl.com/news/ducks-defeat-predators-in-game-3/c-280389052 No scoring Jamie McGinn (1) – 10:05 No scoring Rickard Rakell (1) – 11:33Chris Stewart (1) – 17:06 No scoring No scoring Pekka Rinne 18 saves / 21 shots Frederik Andersen 27 saves / 27 shots April 21 4–1 2 www.nhl.com/news/c-280419740 No scoring Ryan Getzlaf (2) – 01:02 11:26 – Mike Fisher (1) Nate Thompson (2) – 17:04Jamie McGinn (2) – 18:56 No scoring Andrew Cogliano (2) – 16:52 Pekka Rinne 21 saves / 25 shots Frederik Andersen 30 saves / 31 shots April 23 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/news/ducks-defeat-predators-game-5/c-280449798 No scoring No scoring Ryan Johansen (1) – 14:13 14:35 – David Perron (1)16:23 – Ryan Garbutt (1) Miikka Salomaki (1) – 13:29 08:34 – Sami Vatanen (1)16:37 – pp – Cam Fowler (1)18:14 – en – Ryan Kesler (2) Pekka Rinne 27 saves / 31 shots Frederik Andersen 27 saves / 29 shots April 25 1–3 1 www.nhl.com/news/predators-win-to-force-game-7-against-ducks/c-280474126 No scoring No scoring 08:10 – Mattias Ekholm (2)17:45 – James Neal (2) Ryan Kesler (3) – pp – 19:46 19:50 – en – Shea Weber (2) No scoring Pekka Rinne 26 saves / 27 shots Frederik Andersen 23 saves / 25 shots April 27 2–1 1 www.nhl.com/news/predators-hold-off-ducks-in-game-7/c-280498078 Colin Wilson (2) – 06:19Paul Gaustad (1) – 15:53 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 01:45 – pp – Ryan Kesler (4) Pekka Rinne 36 saves / 37 shots Frederik Andersen 18 saves / 20 shots Nashville won series 4–3 (P2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (P3) San Jose Sharks The Los Angeles Kings finished second in the Pacific Division, earning 102 points. The San Jose Sharks earned 98 points to finish third in the Pacific. This was the fourth meeting between these two teams, with Los Angeles winning two of the three previous meetings. They last met in the 2014 Western Conference first round, which Los Angeles came back from a 3–0 deficit to defeat the Sharks in seven games. San Jose won three of the five games of the regular season series. The Sharks defeated the Kings in five games. In game one, Joe Pavelski scored twice including the game-winner to help the Sharks win 4–3.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-edge-kings-in-game-1-280317492?tid=280285258 Pavelski powers Sharks past Kings in Game 1 Zupke Curtis NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 14, 2016 NHL.com April 22, 2016 Sharks goalie, and former Kings backup goalie, Martin Jones allowed one goal on 27 shots in game two in a 2–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-defeat-kings-game-2-280348078?tid=280335444 Sharks edge Kings, head home with 2-0 series lead Mastracco Abbey NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 16, 2016 NHL.com April 22, 2016 Game three in San Jose required overtime with the game tied 1–1 after regulation time, before Tanner Pearson scored the game-winner for the Kings at 3:47 of the first overtime.https://www.nhl.com/news/los-angeles-kings-san-jose-sharks-game-3-recap-280375080 Pearson, Kings win in OT, avoid 3-0 hole Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprises, L.P. April 19, 2016 NHL.com April 22, 2016 In game four, all three Sharks goals came on the power play before the Kings tried to make a comeback cutting the deficit to 3–2, but that was the final score of the game.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-defeat-kings-game-4-280406382 Sharks power past Kings in Game 4 Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 21, 2016 NHL.com April 22, 2016 In game five, the Sharks took a 3–0 lead until the Kings scored three goals to tie the game in the second period. Early in the third period, San Jose rookie Joonas Donskoi's second goal of the game, broke the tie to give the Sharks a 4–3 lead; Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson provided insurance goals as the Sharks ended the series with a 6–3 victory.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-eliminate-kings-in-game-5-280439690 Sharks eliminate Kings with Game 5 victory Mastracco Abbey NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 22, 2016 NHL.com April 23, 2016 San Jose Sharks Los Angeles Kings SAP Center Staples Center April 14 4–3 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-edge-kings-in-game-1/c-280317492 Joe Pavelski (1) – pp – 06:25 02:53 – Jake Muzzin (1) Brent Burns (1) – 06:50Tomas Hertl (1) – 17:48 07:30 – pp – Jeff Carter (1)17:18 – sh – Trevor Lewis (1) Joe Pavelski (2) – 00:17 No scoring Martin Jones 21 saves / 24 shots Jonathan Quick 19 saves / 23 shots April 16 2–1 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-defeat-kings-game-2/c-280348078 Joe Pavelski (3) – 03:37 No scoring Logan Couture (1) – pp – 08:44 No scoring No scoring 14:59 – pp – Vincent Lecavalier (1) Martin Jones 26 saves / 27 shots Jonathan Quick 21 saves / 23 shots April 18 2–1 1 2 www.nhl.com/news/los-angeles-kings-san-jose-sharks-game-3-recap/c-280375080 00:30 – Joe Thornton (1) Anze Kopitar (1) – pp – 08:10 No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Tanner Pearson (1) – 03:47 Martin Jones 22 saves / 24 shots Jonathan Quick 29 saves / 30 shots April 20 2–3 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-defeat-kings-game-4/c-280406382 No scoring No scoring 02:09 – pp – Brent Burns (2)09:21 – pp – Joe Pavelski (4) No scoring 01:40 – pp – Patrick Marleau (1) Trevor Lewis (2) – 02:49Luke Schenn (1) – 06:44 Martin Jones 26 saves / 28 shots Jonathan Quick 26 saves / 29 shots April 22 6–3 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-eliminate-kings-in-game-5/c-280439690 Joonas Donskoi (1) – 01:08Chris Tierney (1) – 11:21 No scoring Matt Nieto (1) – 04:05 07:44 – Anze Kopitar (2)11:26 – Jeff Carter (2)16:36 – Kris Versteeg (1) Joonas Donskoi (2) – 03:58Joe Pavelski (5) – 12:24Melker Karlsson (1) – en – 19:38 No scoring Martin Jones 19 saves / 22 shots Jonathan Quick 22 saves / 27 shots San Jose won series 4–1 Second round Eastern Conference second round (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (WC1) New York Islanders This was the second playoff meeting between these teams; their only previous series was in the 2004 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which Tampa Bay won in five games. This was the first series in the current playoff format in which a wild-card team had more points than its opponent during the regular season and did not have home ice advantage. New York won two of the three games of the regular season series. The Lightning defeated the Islanders in five games. The Islanders took game one by a score of 5–3 with two goals scored by Shane Prince.https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-lightning-in-game-1-280495354 Islanders use fast start to win Game 1 Long Corey NHL Enterprise, L.P April 27, 2016 NHL.com April 27, 2016 Tyler Johnson scored two goals in a 4–1 victory for the Lightning in game two to tie the series.https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-lightning-game-2-recap-280525752 Drouin goal helps Lightning win Game 2 Long Corey NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 30, 2016 NHL.com May 1, 2016 Games three and four both ended in overtime with Lightning victories as well as Nikita Kucherov scoring the tying goal in the third period. In game three, Kucherov scored with 39 seconds left in the third period to send it to overtime. In overtime, Brian Boyle scored the game-winner for a 5–4 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-beat-islanders-in-overtime-game-3-280555050 Lightning tie it late, win Game 3 in overtime Satriano David NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 3, 2016 NHL.com May 8, 2016 In game four, Kucherov scored 7:49 into the third period to tie the game. Jason Garrison scored the game-winner for the Lightning 1:49 into overtime in a 2–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-islanders-game-4-recap-280591264 Garrison, Lightning defeat Islanders in OT of Game 4 Kreiser John NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 6, 2016 NHL.com May 8, 2016 Victor Hedman scored twice and Ben Bishop stopped all 28 shots for the Lightning in game five to move on to the conference finals for the second season in a row and third in six seasons.https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-lightning-game-5-recap-280606598?tid=280202670 Lightning advance to Eastern Conference Final Long Corey NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 8, 2016 NHL.com May 8, 2016 New York Islanders Tampa Bay Lightning Barclays Center Amalie Arena April 27 5–3 1 www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-lightning-in-game-1/c-280495354 Travis Hamonic (1) – 05:44Shane Prince (2) – 17:28Shane Prince (3) – 19:57 03:05 – Ondrej Palat (2) John Tavares (6) – pp – 08:59 No scoring Cal Clutterbuck (1) – en – 19:05 07:41 – Nikita Kucherov (6)17:28 – Valtteri Filppula (1) Thomas Greiss 33 saves / 36 shots Ben Bishop 9 saves / 13 shotsAndrei Vasilevskiy 8 saves / 8 shots April 30 1–4 2 www.nhl.com/news/islanders-lightning-game-2-recap/c-280525752 Nikolay Kulemin (1) – pp – 15:15 06:03 – Tyler Johnson (3)11:55 – Jonathan Drouin (1) No scoring 11:59 – pp – Victor Hedman (1) No scoring 17:42 – en – Tyler Johnson (4) Thomas Greiss 27 saves / 30 shots Ben Bishop 19 saves / 20 shots May 3 5–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/news/lightning-beat-islanders-in-overtime-game-3/c-280555050 07:55 – Josh Bailey (1) Ryan Callahan (1) – pp – 19:47 14:50 – Nick Leddy (1) Victor Hedman (2) – 08:10 02:27 – pp – Josh Bailey (2)11:23 – Cal Clutterbuck (2) Vladislav Namestnikov (1) – 03:25Nikita Kucherov (7) – 19:21 No scoring Brian Boyle (2) – 02:48 Thomas Greiss 36 saves / 41 shots Ben Bishop 35 saves / 39 shots May 6 2–1 1 2 www.nhl.com/news/lightning-islanders-game-4-recap/c-280591264 04:20 – pp – Kyle Okposo (2) No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring Nikita Kucherov (8) – 07:49 No scoring Jason Garrison (1) – 01:34 Thomas Greiss 20 saves / 22 shotsJean-Francois Berube 2 saves / 2 shots Ben Bishop 27 saves / 28 shots May 8 0–4 2 www.nhl.com/news/islanders-lightning-game-5-recap/c-280606598 No scoring 13:49 – Victor Hedman (3)18:41 – Brian Boyle (3) No scoring 04:22 – pp – Victor Hedman (4) No scoring 04:40 – Nikita Kucherov (9) Thomas Greiss 21 saves / 25 shots Ben Bishop 28 saves / 28 shots Tampa Bay won series 4–1 (M1) Washington Capitals vs. (M2) Pittsburgh Penguins This was the ninth playoff meeting between these teams, with Pittsburgh winning seven of the eight previous series. Their most recent meeting was in the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals, which Pittsburgh won in seven games. Pittsburgh won three of the five games of the regular season series. The Penguins defeated the Capitals in six games. T. J. Oshie scored a hat-trick, his third goal being in overtime, in game one for the Capitals in a 4–3 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/t-j-oshie-captials-defeat-penguins-in-game-1-280509418 Oshie completes hat trick in OT, Capitals win Game 1 Brown Katie NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 28, 2016 NHL.com May 1, 2016 Former Capitals forward Eric Fehr scored the game-winner in the third period for the Penguins to take game two by a score of 2–1.https://www.nhl.com/news/fehr-leads-penguins-past-capitals-280529516 Penguins score in 3rd to win Game 2 against Capitals Brown Katie NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 30, 2016 NHL.com May 1, 2016 Matt Murray made 47 saves for the Penguins in game three for a 3–2 victory.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-defeat-capitals-in-game-3-280544876 Murray, Penguins defeat Capitals in Game 3 Crosby Wes NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 2, 2016 NHL.com May 6, 2016 In game four, Patric Hornqvist scored the game-winner for the Penguins in overtime as well as an assist in a 3–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-capitals-game-4-recap-280570438 Penguins win Game 4 early in OT against Capitals Crosby Wes NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 4, 2016 NHL.com May 6, 2016 The Capitals avoided elimination in game five, with Braden Holtby stopping 30 of the 31 shots he faced in a 3–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-penguins-game-5-recap-280599604 Capitals win Game 5, extend series with Penguins Brown Katie NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 7, 2016 NHL.com May 10, 2016 In game six, Pittsburgh took a 3–0 lead with two goals from Phil Kessel before the Capitals tied the game 3–3 late in the third period. In overtime, Nick Bonino scored the series-winner 6:32 into the first overtime period to send the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Eastern Conference Final.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-capitals-game-6-recap-280628750?tid=280531774 Penguins eliminate Capitals with Game 6 OT win Crosby Wes NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 10, 2016 NHL.com May 10, 2016 Pittsburgh Penguins Washington Capitals Consol Energy Center Verizon Center April 28 3–4 1 2 www.nhl.com/news/t-j-oshie-captials-defeat-penguins-in-game-1/c-280509418 No scoring 10:13 – Andre Burakovsky (1) Ben Lovejoy (1) – 10:40Evgeni Malkin (3) – 11:37 12:10 – T. J. Oshie (2) Nick Bonino (1) – 08:42 03:23 – T. J. Oshie (3) No scoring 09:33 – T. J. Oshie (4) Matt Murray 31 saves / 35 shots Braden Holtby 42 saves / 45 shots April 30 2–1 1 www.nhl.com/news/fehr-leads-penguins-past-capitals/c-280529516 No scoring No scoring Carl Hagelin (2) – 07:08 No scoring Eric Fehr (2) – 15:32 04:08 – pp – Marcus Johansson (2) Matt Murray 23 saves / 24 shots Braden Holtby 33 saves / 35 shots May 2 2–3 1 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-defeat-capitals-in-game-3/c-280544876 06:37 – Patric Hornqvist (4)07:37 – Tom Kuhnhackl (2) No scoring 15:03 – Carl Hagelin (3) No scoring No scoring Alexander Ovechkin (4) – 08:02Justin Williams (1) – 19:04 Matt Murray 47 saves / 49 shots Braden Holtby 20 saves / 23 shots May 4 2–3 1 1 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-capitals-game-4-recap/c-280570438 09:16 – Trevor Daley (1) Jay Beagle (3) – 02:58 03:07 – Matt Cullen (3) John Carlson (4) – 16:19 No scoring No scoring 02:34 – Patric Hornqvist (5) No scoring Matt Murray 34 saves / 36 shots Braden Holtby 30 saves / 33 shots May 7 1–3 2 www.nhl.com/news/capitals-penguins-game-5-recap/c-280599604 Chris Kunitz (1) – pp – 07:08 04:04 – pp – Alexander Ovechkin (5) 04:00 – pp – T. J. Oshie (5)09:58 – Justin Williams (2) No scoring No scoring Matt Murray 16 saves / 19 shots Braden Holtby 30 saves / 31 shots May 10 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-capitals-game-6-recap/c-280628750 05:41 – Phil Kessel (4) No scoring 07:05 – pp – Phil Kessel (5)07:38 – pp – Carl Hagelin (4) T. J. Oshie (6) – pp – 18:30 No scoring Justin Williams (3) – 07:23John Carlson (5) – pp – 13:01 06:32 – Nick Bonino (2) No scoring Matt Murray 36 saves / 39 shots Braden Holtby 37 saves / 41 shots Pittsburgh won series 4–2 Western Conference second round (C1) Dallas Stars vs. (C2) St. Louis Blues This was the thirteenth playoff meeting between these teams; the two teams have split the twelve previous series. They last met in the 2001 Western Conference semifinals, which St. Louis won in a four-game sweep. St. Louis won four of the five games of the regular season series. The Blues defeated the Stars in seven games. In game one, Radek Faksa scored with 4:44 left in the third period to give the Dallas Stars a 2–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/stars-beat-blues-in-game-1-280518136 Stars score in third to take Game 1 from Blues Hunt Steven NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 29, 2016 NHL.com May 11, 2016 In game two, Dallas scored two goals in the third period to tie the game 3–3 after being down 3–1. In overtime, Blues' captain David Backes scored a power play goal to tie the series at a game apiece.https://www.nhl.com/news/backes-scores-in-ot-blues-beat-stars-280534318 Backes scores in OT, Blues top Stars to even series Hunt Steven NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 1, 2016 NHL.com May 11, 2016 Alexander Steen scored twice and Vladimir Tarasenko scored a goal and two assists to help the Blues rout the Stars 6–1 in game three.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-score-six-unanswered-against-stars-in-game-3-280557872 Blues cruise to Game 3 win against Stars Korac Louie NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 3, 2016 NHL.com May 8, 2016 Jamie Benn had two assists in game four as well as the overtime-game-winner by Cody Eakin for the Stars in a 3–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/eakin-lifts-stars-to-ot-win-in-game-4-280580126 Eakin lifts Stars to OT win in Game 4 Korac Louie NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 5, 2016 NHL.com May 8, 2016 In game five, Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist and Brian Elliott made 27 saves in a 4–1 victory to take a 3–2 series lead.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-stars-game-5-recap-280595650 Blues defeat Stars in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead Hunt Steven NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 7, 2016 NHL.com May 8, 2016 Dallas scored three goals in the first period in game six prompting St. Louis head coach Ken Hitchcock to replace Elliott who had only stopped four shots. Dallas won the game 3–2 to force a seventh game.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-stars-game-6-recap-280617260 Stars defeat Blues to force Game 7 Korac Louie NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 9, 2016 NHL.com May 10, 2016 In game seven, six different players scored a goal for the Blues in a 6–1 victory to make their first Conference finals since 2001. St. Louis Blues Dallas Stars Scottrade Center American Airlines Center April 29 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/stars-beat-blues-in-game-1/c-280518136 No scoring No scoring No scoring 09:36 – Antoine Roussel (2) Kevin Shattenkirk (2) – 11:32 15:16 – Radek Faksa (2) Brian Elliott 40 saves / 42 shots Kari Lehtonen 31 saves / 32 shots May 1 4–3 1 1 www.nhl.com/news/backes-scores-in-ot-blues-beat-stars/c-280534318 Patrik Berglund (2) – 04:11Joel Edmundson (1) – 07:02Troy Brouwer (2) – pp – 18:40 03:36 – Alex Goligoski (3) No scoring No scoring No scoring 04:35 – Mattias Janmark (1)17:24 – Jamie Benn (5) David Backes (3) – pp – 10:58 No scoring Brian Elliott 31 saves / 34 shots Kari Lehtonen 2 saves / 5 shotsAntti Niemi 19 saves / 20 shots May 3 1–6 1 www.nhl.com/news/blues-score-six-unanswered-against-stars-in-game-3/c-280557872 05:41 – Alexander Steen (2)16:10 – pp – David Backes (4) Colton Sceviour (2) – 04:44 02:34 – Troy Brouwer (3)03:50 – Vladimir Tarasenko (5)18:03 – pp – Alexander Steen (3) No scoring 18:06 – David Backes (5) No scoring Brian Elliott 25 saves / 26 shots Antti Niemi 9 saves / 12 shotsKari Lehtonen 24 saves / 27 shots May 5 3–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/news/eakin-lifts-stars-to-ot-win-in-game-4/c-280580126 10:17 – Vladimir Tarasenko (6) No scoring 13:06 – pp – Paul Stastny (1) Radek Faksa (3) – 04:05Patrick Sharp (4) – pp – 05:14 No scoring No scoring No scoring Cody Eakin (1) – 02:58 Brian Elliott 25 saves / 28 shots Kari Lehtonen 24 saves / 26 shots May 7 4–1 1 www.nhl.com/news/blues-stars-game-5-recap/c-280595650 Robby Fabbri (2) – 06:00 10:58 – Alex Goligoski (4) Dmitrij Jaskin (1) – 10:31Troy Brouwer (4) – 17:42 No scoring Paul Stastny (2) – en – 18:20 No scoring Brian Elliott 27 saves / 28 shots Kari Lehtonen 18 saves / 21 shots May 9 3–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/blues-stars-game-6-recap/c-280617260 No scoring Mattias Janmark (2) – 04:53Vernon Fiddler (1) – 05:13Jason Spezza (5) – pp – 16:49 07:29 – Alexander Steen (4) No scoring 08:59 – Patrik Berglund (3) No scoring Brian Elliott 4 saves / 7 shotsJake Allen 7 saves / 7 shots Kari Lehtonen 35 saves / 37 shots May 11 6–1 1 www.nhl.com/news/blues-beat-stars-game-7/c-280638588 Robby Fabbri (3) – pp – 05:23Paul Stastny (3) – 18:22Patrik Berglund (4) – 19:56 No scoring David Backes (6) – 03:50Troy Brouwer (5) – 15:06 No scoring Vladimir Tarasenko (7) – en – 15:20 05:15 – Patrick Eaves (3) Brian Elliott 31 saves / 32 shots Kari Lehtonen 5 saves / 8 shotsAntti Niemi 8 saves / 10 shots St. Louis won series 4–3 (P3) San Jose Sharks vs. (WC1) Nashville Predators This was the third playoff meeting between these teams, with San Jose winning both previous series. They last met in the 2007 Western Conference quarterfinals, which San Jose won in five games. Nashville won two of the three games of the regular season series. The Sharks defeated the Predators in seven games. The home team won every game in the series. Logan Couture scored two goals in game one for the Sharks in a 5–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-predators-game-1-recap-280520060 Sharks use big third period to win Game 1 Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprise, L.P. April 30, 2016 NHL.com May 1, 2016 In game two, Martin Jones made 37 saves for the Sharks in a 3–2 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-defeat-predators-in-game-2-280537200 Sharks edge Predators, lead series 2-0 Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 1, 2016 NHL.com May 1, 2016 Shea Weber scored a goal and an assist and Pekka Rinne made 26 saves in a 4–1 win for the Predators in game three.https://www.nhl.com/news/predators-power-past-sharks-in-game-3-280556272 Power play lifts Predators past Sharks in Game 3 Stanley Robby NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 3, 2016 NHL.com May 12, 2016 The Predators played in their longest playoff game in game four going 11:12 into triple overtime. Mike Fisher scored his second goal of the game to end overtime and tie the series with a 4–3 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/predators-sharks-game-4-recap-280582448 Predators win Game 4 in third overtime Stanley Robby NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 6, 2016 NHL.com May 12, 2016 Joe Pavelski scored twice for the Sharks in game five who took a 3–2 series lead with a 5–1 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-beat-predators-game-5-280601904 Sharks storm past Predators in Game 5 Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 7, 2016 NHL.com May 12, 2016 In game six, the Predators came back from an early 2–0 deficit, sending the game into overtime. In overtime, rookie Viktor Arvidsson scored the game-winner to force a seventh game in a 4–3 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-predators-game-6-recap-280618942 Predators top Sharks in OT, force Game 7 Stanley Robby NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 9, 2016 NHL.com May 12, 2016 In game seven, Martin Jones stopped all 20 shots and Logan Couture scored a goal and two assists in a 5–0 win to send the Sharks onto the Western Conference Final.https://www.nhl.com/news/predators-sharks-game-7-recap-280651298 Sharks shut out Predators in Game 7 Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 12, 2016 NHL.com May 12, 2016 Nashville Predators San Jose Sharks Bridgestone Arena SAP Center April 29 2–5 2 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-predators-game-1-recap/c-280520060 No scoring No scoring Mike Fisher (2) – pp – 04:33 No scoring Ryan Johansen (2) – 18:11 02:37 – pp – Tomas Hertl (2)11:49 – Joel Ward (1)15:40 – pp – Logan Couture (2)18:31 – en – Logan Couture (3)19:10 – en – Tommy Wingels (1) Pekka Rinne 33 saves / 36 shots Martin Jones 29 saves / 31 shots May 1 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-defeat-predators-in-game-2/c-280537200 No scoring No scoring No scoring 18:36 – pp – Logan Couture (4) Mattias Ekholm (3) – 12:56Ryan Johansen (3) – 19:55 17:20 – Joe Pavelski (6)19:04 – en – Joe Thornton (2) Pekka Rinne 22 saves / 24 shots Martin Jones 37 saves / 39 shots May 3 1–4 1 www.nhl.com/news/predators-power-past-sharks-in-game-3/c-280556272 No scoring Patrick Marleau (2) – 13:13 05:11 – pp – James Neal (3)14:44 – Shea Weber (3) No scoring 06:55 – Colin Wilson (3)15:49 – pp – Filip Forsberg (2) Pekka Rinne 26 saves / 27 shots Martin Jones 21 saves / 25 shots May 5 3–4 3 1 www.nhl.com/news/predators-sharks-game-4-recap/c-280582448 00:41 – Colin Wilson (4)09:50 – Mike Fisher (3) Brent Burns (3) – 03:08 No scoring Joonas Donskoi (3) – 14:09 15:39 – James Neal (4) Brent Burns (4) – pp – 06:48 11:12 – Mike Fisher (4) No scoring Pekka Rinne 44 saves / 47 shots Martin Jones 41 saves / 45 shots May 7 1–5 2 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-beat-predators-game-5/c-280601904 Mike Fisher (5) – 15:40 10:47 – Patrick Marleau (3)17:21 – Joe Pavelski (7) No scoring 00:35 – Logan Couture (5)19:22 – pp – Joe Pavelski (8) No scoring 19:10 – Melker Karlsson (2) Pekka Rinne 23 saves / 27 shotsCarter Hutton 1 save / 2 shots Martin Jones 24 saves / 25 shots May 9 3–4 1 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-predators-game-6-recap/c-280618942 15:27 – Roman Josi (1) Chris Tierney (2) – 09:55Chris Tierney (3) – 11:51 01:25 – Ryan Johansen (4) No scoring 12:44 – Colin Wilson (5) Logan Couture (6) – pp – 10:04 02:03 – Viktor Arvidsson (1) No scoring Pekka Rinne 15 saves / 18 shots Martin Jones 28 saves / 32 shots May 12 0–5 2 www.nhl.com/news/predators-sharks-game-7-recap/c-280651298 No scoring 09:02 – pp – Joe Pavelski (9)16:51 – Joel Ward (2) No scoring 00:36 – Logan Couture (7) No scoring 00:32 – pp – Joe Thornton (3)03:54 – Patrick Marleau (4) Pekka Rinne 21 saves / 26 shotsCarter Hutton 1 save / 1 shot Martin Jones 20 saves / 20 shots San Jose won series 4–3 Conference finals NHL conference finals Eastern Conference final (M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning This was the second playoff meeting between these teams. Their only previous series was the 2011 Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which Tampa Bay came back from a 3–1 series deficit to win in seven games. Pittsburgh last made the conference finals in 2013 where they were swept in four games by the Boston Bruins. This was Tampa Bay's second consecutive Conference finals appearance; they defeated the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers in seven games in the previous year. Tampa Bay won all three games of the regular season series. The Penguins defeated the Lightning in seven games. In game one, Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop suffered an ACL tear in the first period, requiring him to leave the game on a stretcher.http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/lightning-goalie-ben-bishop-day-day-game-1-injury/ Lightning goalie Ben Bishop day-to-day after Game 1 injury Sadler Emily Rogers Media May 14, 2016 SPORTSNET.ca May 19, 2016 Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves in relief to help the Lightning win 3–1.https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-penguins-game-1-recap-280696686 Lightning defeat Penguins in Game 1, lose Bishop Crosby Wes NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 13, 2016 NHL.com May 19, 2016 Four goals were scored in the first period, two by each team, in game two leaving the score tied going into overtime. Sidney Crosby scored 40 seconds into overtime for the Penguins to tie the series.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-2-recap-280716336 Crosby lifts Penguins to OT win in Game 2 Crosby Wes NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 16, 2016 NHL.com May 19, 2016 Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel both had a goal and an assist for the Penguins in a 4–2 feat in game three.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-3-recap-280744436 Penguins defeat Lightning, take 2-1 series lead Long Corey NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 18, 2016 NHL.com May 19, 2016 The Lightning tied the series in game four in a 4–3 win with both Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn providing two assists each, including the game-winning goal, and the team preventing a third period comeback from the Penguins.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-4-recap-280762906 Lightning win Game 4, even series Long Corey NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 20, 2016 NHL.com May 20, 2016 The Penguins gave up leads of both 2–0 and 3–2 and lost in overtime when Tyler Johnson scored for the Lightning 53 seconds into the first overtime period of game five.https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-penguins-game-5-recap-280776734 Lightning rally for OT victory in Game 5 Crosby Wes NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 22, 2016 NHL.com May 25, 2016 Although Brian Boyle scored twice for the Lightning, Pittsburgh forced a seventh game after a 5–2 victory in which Crosby had a goal and an assist.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-6-recap-280796918 Penguins win Game 6, extend series Long Corey NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 24, 2016 NHL.com May 25, 2016 In game seven, Bryan Rust scored both goals for Pittsburgh in a 2–1 victory to send the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2009 and fifth time in franchise history and prevented the Lightning from clinching a second consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals and third time in franchise history altogether.https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-beat-lightning-head-to-stanley-cup-final-280816740 Penguins defeat Lightning, Stamkos in Game 7 NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 26, 2016 NHL.com May 26, 2016 Tampa Bay Lightning Pittsburgh Penguins Amalie Arena Consol Energy Center May 13 3–1 1 www.nhl.com/news/lightning-penguins-game-1-recap/c-280696686 Alex Killorn (4) – 18:46 No scoring Ondrej Palat (3) – pp – 02:33Jonathan Drouin (2) – 18:25 19:05 – pp – Patric Hornqvist (6) No scoring No scoring Ben Bishop 9 saves / 9 shotsAndrei Vasilevskiy 25 saves / 26 shots Matt Murray 17 saves / 20 shots May 16 2–3 1 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-2-recap/c-280716336 Anton Stralman (1) – 16:37Jonathan Drouin (3) – 19:10 04:32 – Matt Cullen (4)09:37 – Phil Kessel (6) No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring No scoring 00:40 – Sidney Crosby (4) Andrei Vasilevskiy 37 saves / 40 shots Matt Murray 19 saves / 21 shots May 18 4–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-3-recap/c-280744436 No scoring No scoring No scoring Carl Hagelin (5) – 19:50 05:30 – Tyler Johnson (5)18:16 – Ondrej Palat (4) Phil Kessel (7) – 05:16Sidney Crosby (5) – pp – 10:50Chris Kunitz (2) – 13:12 Andrei Vasilevskiy 44 saves / 48 shots Matt Murray 26 saves / 28 shots May 20 3–4 1 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-4-recap/c-280762906 00:27 – Ryan Callahan (2)14:28 – Andrej Sustr (1) No scoring 14:38 – pp – Jonathan Drouin (4)17:48 – Tyler Johnson (6) No scoring No scoring Phil Kessel (8) – 01:18Evgeni Malkin (4) – 11:13Chris Kunitz (3) – pp – 13:08 Andrei Vasilevskiy 35 saves / 38 shots Matt Murray 26 saves / 30 shotsMarc-Andre Fleury 7 saves / 7 shots May 22 4–3 1 1 www.nhl.com/news/lightning-penguins-game-5-recap/c-280776734 No scoring 19:59 – Brian Dumoulin (1) Alex Killorn (5) – 13:15Nikita Kucherov (10) – 14:25 01:30 – Patric Hornqvist (7)19:10 – Chris Kunitz (4) Nikita Kucherov (11) – 16:44 No scoring Tyler Johnson (7) – 00:53 No scoring Andrei Vasilevskiy 31 saves / 34 shots Marc-Andre Fleury 21 saves / 25 shots May 24 5–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-lightning-game-6-recap/c-280796918 No scoring Phil Kessel (9) – pp – 18:46 No scoring Kris Letang (2) – 07:40Sidney Crosby (6) – 19:34 05:30 – Brian Boyle (4)12:43 – Brian Boyle (5) Bryan Rust (3) – 17:52Nick Bonino (3) – en – 19:06 Andrei Vasilevskiy 29 saves / 33 shots Matt Murray 29 saves / 31 shots May 26 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-beat-lightning-head-to-stanley-cup-final/c-280816740 No scoring No scoring Jonathan Drouin (5) – 09:36 01:55 – Bryan Rust (4)10:06 – Bryan Rust (5) No scoring No scoring Andrei Vasilevskiy 37 saves / 39 shots Matt Murray 16 saves / 17 shots Pittsburgh won series 4–3 Western Conference final (C2) St. Louis Blues vs. (P3) San Jose Sharks This was the fifth playoff meeting between these teams, with both teams splitting the four previous playoff series. They last met in the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals, which St. Louis won in five games. St. Louis most recently made the conference finals in 2001, when they lost to the Colorado Avalanche in five games. San Jose last made the conference finals in 2011, where they lost in five games to the Vancouver Canucks. San Jose won two of the three games of the regular season series. The Sharks defeated the Blues in six games. The Blues won game one 2–1 with help from goalie Brian Elliott who made 31 saves in the process.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-sharks-game-1-recap-280707366 Elliott, Blues hang on to defeat Sharks in Game 1 Korac Louie NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 15, 2016 NHL.com May 19, 2016 The Sharks bounced back in game two with Brent Burns scoring twice and goalie Martin Jones stopping all 26 shots he faced in a 4–0 win.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-blues-game-2-recap-280734832 Sharks shut out Blues in Game 2 Korac Louie NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 17, 2016 NHL.com May 19, 2016 In game three, Jones again shutout the Blues, blocking 22 shots; Tomas Hertl scored twice for the Sharks in their 3–0 victory at home.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-sharks-game-3-recap-280753766 Sharks blank Blues in Game 3, take 2-1 series lead Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 19, 2016 NHL.com May 20, 2016 Troy Brouwer and Kyle Brodziak scored twice in a 6–3 victory for the Blues to tie the series in game four.https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-sharks-game-4-recap-280768722 Allen, Blues defeat Sharks in Game 4 Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 21, 2016 NHL.com May 22, 2016 Joe Pavelski and Joel Ward both scored twice in the Sharks' 6–3 victory in game five.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-blues-game-5-recap-280786004 Sharks defeat Blues in Game 5, lead series 3-2 Korac Louie NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 23, 2016 NHL.com May 25, 2016 The Sharks were able to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in their 25-year history after game six with Joel Ward scoring the winning goal 3:01 into the third period in a 5–2 victory.https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-beat-blues-reach-first-stanley-cup-final-280806204 Sharks win Game 6, reach first Stanley Cup Final Gilmore Eric NHL Enterprise, L.P. May 25, 2016 NHL.com May 25, 2016 San Jose Sharks St. Louis Blues SAP Center Scottrade Center May 15 1–2 2 www.nhl.com/news/blues-sharks-game-1-recap/c-280707366 Tomas Hertl (3) – 15:38 15:04 – pp – David Backes (7) No scoring 09:15 – Jori Lehtera (2) No scoring No scoring Martin Jones 21 saves / 23 shots Brian Elliott 31 saves / 32 shots May 17 4–0 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-blues-game-2-recap/c-280734832 Tommy Wingels (2) – 02:07 No scoring Brent Burns (5) – pp – 07:04 No scoring Brent Burns (6) – pp – 11:58Dainius Zubrus (1) – en – 19:41 No scoring Martin Jones 26 saves / 26 shots Brian Elliott 20 saves / 23 shots May 19 0–3 1 www.nhl.com/news/blues-sharks-game-3-recap/c-280753766 15:53 – Tomas Hertl (4) No scoring 11:44 – Joonas Donskoi (4) No scoring 06:09 – Tomas Hertl (5) No scoring Martin Jones 22 saves / 22 shots Brian Elliott 11 saves / 14 shotsJake Allen 2 saves / 2 shots May 21 6–3 2 www.nhl.com/news/blues-sharks-game-4-recap/c-280768722 No scoring Troy Brouwer (6) – pp – 06:14Jori Lehtera (3) – 10:11 No scoring Kyle Brodziak (1) – sh – 06:09Kyle Brodziak (2) – 10:11 01:05 – Joe Pavelski (10)06:57 – Chris Tierney (4)16:28 – Melker Karlsson (3) Troy Brouwer (7) – pp – 03:55Alex Pietrangelo (2) – en – 15:39 Martin Jones 15 saves / 19 shotsJames Reimer 6 saves / 7 shots Jake Allen 31 saves / 34 shots May 23 6–3 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-blues-game-5-recap/c-280786004 Marc-Edouard Vlasic (1) – 03:51 07:04 – Jaden Schwartz (4)15:08 – Troy Brouwer (8) Joel Ward (3) – pp – 04:37Joe Pavelski (11) – pp – 18:33 11:58 – pp – Robby Fabbri (4) Joe Pavelski (12) – 00:16Chris Tierney (5) – en – 19:06Joel Ward (4) – en – 19:27 No scoring Martin Jones 18 saves / 21 shots Jake Allen 21 saves / 25 shots May 25 2–5 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-beat-blues-reach-first-stanley-cup-final/c-280806204 03:57 – Joe Pavelski (13) No scoring 05:02 – Joel Ward (5) No scoring 03:01 – Joel Ward (6)08:11 – Joonas Donskoi (5)19:40 – en – Logan Couture (8) Vladimir Tarasenko (8) – 11:39Vladimir Tarasenko (9) – 16:25 Martin Jones 24 saves / 26 shots Brian Elliott 22 saves / 26 shotsJake Allen 0 saves / 0 shots San Jose won series 4–2 Stanley Cup Finals 2016 Stanley Cup Finals This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Pittsburgh made their fifth Stanley Cup Finals appearance; their most recent appearance was in 2009, when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in seven games. San Jose made their first Finals appearance in their twenty-fifth season since entering the league in 1991–92. These teams split their two-game regular season series. San Jose Sharks Pittsburgh Penguins SAP Center Consol Energy Center May 30 2–3 2 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-penguins-game-1-recap/c-280843036 No scoring 12:46 – Bryan Rust (6)13:48 – Conor Sheary (3) Tomas Hertl (6) – pp – 03:02Patrick Marleau (5) – 18:12 No scoring No scoring 17:27 – Nick Bonino (4) Martin Jones 38 saves / 41 shots Matt Murray 24 saves / 26 shots June 1 1–2 1 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-sharks-game-2-recap-stanley-cup-final/c-280861242 No scoring No scoring No scoring 08:20 – Phil Kessel (10) Justin Braun (1) – 15:55 No scoring No scoring 02:35 – Conor Sheary (4) Martin Jones 28 saves / 30 shots Matt Murray 21 saves / 22 shots June 4 2–3 1 1 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-sharks-stanley-cup-final-game-3-recap/c-280888004 09:34 – Justin Braun (2) Ben Lovejoy (2) – 05:29 No scoring Patric Hornqvist (8) – 19:07 08:48 – pp – Joel Ward (7) No scoring 12:18 – Joonas Donskoi (6) No scoring Martin Jones 40 saves / 42 shots Matt Murray 23 saves / 26 shots June 6 3–1 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-win-stanley-cup-final-game-4/c-280902276 No scoring Ian Cole (1) – 07:36 No scoring Evgeni Malkin (5) – pp – 02:37 08:07 – Melker Karlsson (4) Eric Fehr (3) – 17:58 Martin Jones 17 saves / 20 shots Matt Murray 23 saves / 24 shots June 9 4–2 1 www.nhl.com/news/sharks-penguins-stanley-cup-final-game-5-recap/c-280926468 Brent Burns (7) – 01:04Logan Couture (9) – 02:43Melker Karlsson (5) – 14:47 04:44 – pp – Evgeni Malkin (6)05:06 – Carl Hagelin (6) No scoring No scoring Joe Pavelski (14) – en – 18:40 No scoring Martin Jones 44 saves / 46 shots Matt Murray 18 saves / 21 shots June 12 3–1 2 www.nhl.com/news/penguins-win-stanley-cup/c-280948494 No scoring Brian Dumoulin (2) – pp – 08:16 06:27 – Logan Couture (10) Kris Letang (3) – 07:46 No scoring Patric Hornqvist (9) – en – 18:58 Martin Jones 24 saves / 26 shots Matt Murray 18 saves / 19 shots Pittsburgh won series 4–2 Player statistics Skaters These are the top ten skaters based on points. Player Team GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/– Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes Logan Couture San Jose Sharks 24 10 20 30 +5 8 Brent Burns San Jose Sharks 24 7 17 24 +11 12 Joe Pavelski San Jose Sharks 24 14 9 23 +1 4 Phil Kessel Pittsburgh Penguins 24 10 12 22 +5 4 Joe Thornton San Jose Sharks 24 3 18 21 +2 10 Nikita KucherovTampa Bay Lightning 17 11 8 19 +13 8 Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins 24 6 13 19 –2 4 Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins 23 6 12 18 +1 18 Nick Bonino Pittsburgh Penguins 24 4 14 18 +9 12 Tyler Johnson ice hockey Tampa Bay Lightning 17 7 10 17 +9 12 Goaltenders This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage, with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded. Player Team GP Games played W Wins L Losses SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice (minutes:seconds) Braden Holtby Washington Capitals 12 6 6 363 21 1.72 .942 2 731-32 731:32 Ben Bishop Tampa Bay Lightning 11 8 2 297 18 1.85 .939 2 582-26 582:26 Roberto Luongo Florida Panthers 6 2 4 227 15 2.05 .934 0 438-20 438:20 Matt Murray ice hockey, born 1994 Pittsburgh Penguins 21 15 6 575 44 2.08 .923 1 1267-16 1267:16 Martin Jones ice hockey San Jose Sharks 24 14 10 684 53 2.16 .923 3 1473-18 1473:18 Andrei Vasilevskiy Tampa Bay Lightning 8 3 4 267 20 2.76 .925 0 434-25 434:25 Television This marked the fifth postseason under NBC Sports' 10-year contract for American television rights, and the second under Sportsnet and TVA Sports' current 12-year contract for Canadian television rights. In the United States, all playoff games were nationally televised by either NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network, and NHL Network. During the first round, these national telecasts co-existed with those of the regional rightsholders, after which NBC had exclusive rights to the remaining games.http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2016/04/06/dont-miss-a-moment-nbc-sports-group-to-present-every-stanley-cup-playoff-game-for-fifth-consecutive-season/ NBC Sports Group to present every Stanley Cup playoff game for fifth consecutive year NBC Sports April 6, 2016 April 8, 2016 Stamford, Connecticut In Canada, this marked the second postseason under Rogers Media's 12-year contract. Games aired across Sportsnet, SN1, SN360, FX, and CBC under the Hockey Night in Canada brand. Games also aired in French by TVA Sports.Shoalts David Hockey Night in Canada: How CBC lost it all https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/hockey-night-in-canada-how-cbc-lost-it-all/article21072643/ April 10, 2016 The Globe and Mail October 10, 2014 Toronto With all seven of the NHL's Canadian teams out of the playoffs, media sources predicted that Rogers would take a massive decline in viewership.Sagan Aleksandra Canadian NHL playoff drought could be 'massive hit' to Rogers https://www.thestar.com/business/2016/02/24/canadian-nhl-playoff-drought-could-be-massive-hit-to-rogers.html February 24, 2016 Toronto Star The Canadian Press Star Media Group February 24, 2016 TorontoNugent-Bowman Daniel The Seven: A season of infamy for Canada's NHL teams https://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-seven--a-season-of-infamy-for-canada-s-nhl-teams-173859705-nhl.html sports.yahoo.com Yahoo! Sports March 11, 2016 March 11, 2016Bonesteel Matt Great White Nope: Canadian teams likely will be shut out of NHL playoffs https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/03/02/great-white-nope-canadian-teams-likely-will-be-shut-out-of-nhl-playoffs/ March 2, 2016 The Washington Post Nash Holdings, LLC. March 2, 2016 During the regular season, the Sunday-night Hometown Hockey games saw ratings drop 34 percent, while Hockey Night in Canada fell 18 per cent, culminating in the season closer on April 9 that attracted just 721,000 viewers.Brioux Bill Rogers feeling the sting of all seven Canadian teams missing NHL playoffs https://theprovince.com/sports/rogers+feeling+sting+seven+canadian+teams+missing+playoffs/11846855/story.html April 14, 2016 The Province The Canadian Press Postmedia Network April 12, 2016 Vancouver April 18, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160418181754/http://www.theprovince.com/sports/rogers+feeling+sting+seven+canadian+teams+missing+playoffs/11846855/story.html dead To cut production costs, Rogers only employed three full-time play-by-play crews, along with a fourth on spot duty, during the first round.Shoalts David Canadian viewers have an ironic aversion to Rogers hockey broadcasts https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/canadian-viewers-have-an-ironic-aversion-to-rogers-hockey-broadcasts/article29671335/ April 18, 2016 The Globe and Mail The Woodbridge Company April 18, 2016 In the second round, Rogers only sent a crew for games broadcast on CBC, while simulcasting NBC's feeds for all other games (which aired on Sportsnet). The Hockey News estimated that Rogers saved 100000 CAD per game if they simulcasted a U.S. feed instead of producing their own separate broadcast.Campbell Ken Rogers feeling the sting of all seven Canadian teams missing NHL playoffs https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/playoff-tv-ratings-down-a-shocking-61-percent-in-canada May 14, 2016 The Hockey News April 19, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160513011155/http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/playoff-tv-ratings-down-a-shocking-61-percent-in-canada/ May 13, 2016 live Ratings were also down in the United States, with the conference finals down by 9%, and ratings for the finals down to an average of 4 million viewers, making it the third-lowest-rated finals since 2006. The decline was credited to multiple factors, including the lack of Original Six teams or teams from key media markets such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, and heavy competition from the 2016 NBA Playoffs and Game of Thrones (which aired against the series-ending game 6).http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/nba-finals-soar-nhl-stanley-cup-final-faces-ratings-obstacles/157044 As NBA Finals Soar, NHL Stanley Cup Final Faces Ratings Broadcasting & Cable June 3, 2016 October 4, 2017http://adage.com/article/media/puck/304511/ Stanley Cup Final Ratings Are Toothless Ad Age October 4, 2017 en References Stanley Cup playoffs 2016 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs Category:Stanley Cup playoffs Playoffs