By Basil Stroh

PLAYOFFS TO INCLUDE ALL-TIME LEADING GOAL SCORER FOR FIRST TIME IN 28 YEARS

For the first time since 1997, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer will be on the ice for the Stanley Cup Playoffs as Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals begin the pursuit of a second Stanley Cup, 15 days after he completed The Gr8 Chase. The last playoff game involving the player with the most goals in NHL history was May 25, 1997, when Wayne Gretzky notched two assists for the Rangers at Philadelphia in a series-ending Game 5 defeat in the Eastern Conference Final. Gretzky had 862 regular season goals at the time of what ended up being his final playoff game, and shared the series lead with nine points – including his 10th and final postseason hat trick in Game 2.

* The Capitals–Canadiens series is one of two cross-border matchups that will begin tonight, along with the fourth straight opening round matchup between the Oilers and Kings. In other action, the Blues will try to escape the “Winnipeg Whiteout” with a split while the Stars eye for a third consecutive Game 2 victory.

COURTESY NHL PUBLIC RELATIONS