By Basil Stroh
NHL Public Relations
* Brad Marchand, who is set to celebrate his 37th birthday tomorrow, became the oldest player in franchise playoff history with an overtime winner as the “Comeback Cats” lived up to their nickname once again.
* Connor Hellebuyck bounced back from a Game 1 loss by recording his fourth career playoff shutout to help the Jets even their Second Round series.
* Saturday’s two-game slate features the Capitals and Hurricanes shifting to Lenovo Center with a 2-1 series lead on the line as well as the Golden Knights looking to cut their deficit against the Oilers.
MARCHAND HAS OT WINNER AS PANTHERS RALLY to CUT SERIES DEFICIT IN HALF
Brad Marchand scored the winner with 4:33 remaining in overtime as the Panthers overcame deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 to take Game 3 of their Second Round series.
* Marchand (36 years, 363 days) became the oldest player in franchise playoff history with an overtime goal, besting the previous mark set by Mike Hough (33 years, 96 days in Game 5 of 1996 CSF). Marchand scored his fourth career postseason overtime winner, which trails only Patrick Kane, Corey Perry and current teammate Carter Verhaeghe (all w/ 5) for the most among active players.
* Marchand scored his 14th career playoff game-winning goal to pass Evgeni Malkin and Ondrej Palat (both w/ 13) for the most among active players. Marchand has at least one game winner in each of the last nine postseasons dating to 2017 and extended the lengthiest streak in League history – the second longest belong to Glenn Anderson (7 from 1982 to 1988) and Mike Bossy (7 from 1978 to 1984).
* Marchand, who looks to improve to 5-0 in five career playoff series against the Maple Leafs, reached 33 career postseason points versus Toronto and tied Henri Richard for the third most in NHL history. The list is topped by Gordie Howe (53) and Alex Delvecchio (35).
* Florida earned its sixth multi-goal comeback win in franchise playoff history (also Game 4 of 2024 R2, Game 2 of 2023 R2, Game 5 of 2022 R1, Game 3 of 2021 R1 & Game 3 of 2012 CQF). The Panthers can even their series when they play Game 4 during Marchand’s birthday tomorrow (7:30 p.m. ET on TBS, Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS).
* WATCH HERE for full highlights from Maple Leafs-Panthers Game 3.
Hellebuyck blanks Dallas as Winnipeg evens Second Round series
Connor Hellebuyck turned aside all 21 shots he faced and Nikolaj Ehlers (2-1—3) had three points to help the Jets even their Second Round matchup in front of another “Winnipeg Whiteout.” The series shifts to American Airlines Center for Game 3 tomorrow (4:30 p.m. ET on TBS, Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS).
* Hellebuyck recorded his fourth career playoff shutout to tie Craig Anderson for seventh place on the NHL’s all-time list among U.S.-born goaltenders. Jonathan Quick (10), Mike Richter (9), Tom Barrasso (6), Tim Thomas (6), Ben Bishop (5) and John Vanbiesbrouck (5) round out the top six.
* Ehlers, who returned to the Jets’ lineup during Game 6 of the First Round, became the second Danish player in NHL history with three points in a playoff contest. He joined Lars Eller, who had three en route to winning the Stanley Cup with the 2018 Capitals.
* WATCH HERE for full highlights from Stars–Jets Game 2.
QUICK CLICKS
* Nareg Dekermenjian voted Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher winner
* King Clancy nominee Zach Werenski of Blue Jackets discusses growth of community efforts
* Logan Thompson happy to have number called by Capitals during playoff run
* Oilers hoping depth can extend series lead against Golden Knights in Game 3
* NHL Quarter-Century Team: Players who debuted 2000-10
COURTESY NHL PUBLIC RELATIONS
