CROSBY, OVECHKIN EACH SCORE AS BONINO LIFTS PENGUINS IN GAME 1
Sidney Crosby scored twice in a span of 52 seconds to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead, but Alex Ovechkin notched the first of two straight Capitals goals to help even the score, setting the stage for Pittsburgh’s Nick Bonino to tally the game-winning goal in the third period in Game 1 of their Second Round series.
Bonino scored his sixth career playoff game-winning goal and second against Washington; he notched the series-clinching overtime goal in Game 6 of the 2016 Second Round against the Capitals, inspiring the famous “Bonino! Bonino! Bonino!” call by play-by-play broadcaster Harnarayan Singh.
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Crosby scored each of his goals in the opening 1:04 of the second period, including a marker 12 seconds into the frame that equaled the franchise playoff record for fastest goal to start a period – a mark he set in Game 3 of the 2008 Conference Quarterfinals at OTT. Crosby scored the fastest two goals by one player to start a period in franchise playoff history. Crosby, who has at least one point in each of his past five games (4-5—9), registered his 51st career multi-point game in the postseason (all w/ PIT) to tie Mario Lemieux for the most in franchise history and surpass Jaromir Jagr (50) for the most among active NHL players. Crosby has collected 10-7—17 in 14 career playoff meetings against the Capitals (1.21 PPG), while Ovechkin has compiled 11-11—22 in those contests (1.57 PPG).
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Henrik Lundqvist (41 saves) stopped all 21 shots he faced in the opening frame – a playoff career high for any period. Elias notes that in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68), the only Rangers goaltender with more saves in the first period of a playoff game was Ed Giacomin (22) in Game 4 of the 1968 Quarterfinals at CHI . . . Senators goaltender Craig Anderson made 34 saves to improve to 5-2 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (1.81 GAA, .930 SV%, 1 SO) . . . Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves – including a series of stops late in the third period – to improve to 5-1 this postseason (2.43 GAA, .934 SV%) . . . The Penguins won Game 1 against the Capitals for the second time in 10 all-time playoff meetings (also 2000 CQF at WSH: 7-0 W) .
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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