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OILERS EXPLODE FOR SEVEN GOALS TO FORCE GAME 7

The Oilers exploded for seven goals – including five in the first period and a hat trick by Leon Draisaitl (3-2—5) – to extend their series with the Ducks to a seventh and deciding game, the first Game 7 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Edmonton scored seven goals in a playoff game for the first time since Game 2 of the 1991 Conference Finals vs. MNS (7-2 W). The Oilers scored at least five goals in the first period of a playoff game for the third time in franchise history (also 5 in Game 1 of 1984 DSF vs. WIN and 6 in Game 2 of 1987 DSF vs. LAK).

The Oilers scored seven goals in a playoff game when facing elimination for the second time in franchise history (also Game 7 of 1984 DF vs. CGY: 7-4 W). Elias adds that Edmonton became the fourth team in NHL history to score five goals in the first period of game when facing elimination, joining Boston (Game 4 of 1980 PRE at PIT), Philadelphia (Game 5 of 1981 QF vs. CGY) and Detroit (Game 4 of 2010 CSF vs. SJS).

The Oilers will play a Game 7 for the first time since the 2006 Stanley Cup Final at CAR (3-1 L) and 10th time in franchise history. They are 6-3 in the previous nine such contests, including a 3-2 record on the road.  The Ducks will play a Game 7 for the fifth straight year and ninth time in franchise history. They hold a 2-6 record in their previous eight Game 7s, including a 1-4 mark on home ice; their two Game 7 victories came in the 1997 CQF vs. PHX and 2006 CQF at CGY.

CAPITALS SURGE TO FORCE GAME 7

The Capitals raced out to a five-goal lead on the strength of multi-point efforts from Andre Burakovsky (2-0—2), Nicklas Backstrom (1-1—2), T. J. Oshie (1-1—2) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (0-2—2) to stave off elimination for the second time in the series and force Game 7.

The Capitals came back to force Game 7 after trailing 3-1 in a best-of-seven series for the fourth time in franchise history (also: 1988 DSF vs. PHI, 2008 CQF vs. PHI and 2009 CQF vs. NYR). They are 2-1 in Game 7s after rallying from a 3-1 series deficit.  Washington scored five goals when facing elimination for the first time since Game 6 of the 2009 CSF vs. PIT (5-4 OT W). Pittsburgh went on to win Game 7 of that series by a score of 6-2.

Backstrom, who paces the Capitals with 6-7—13 this postseason, scored his 26th career playoff goal (all w/ WSH) to pass Dale Hunter (25) for sole possession of third place in franchise history.  Burakovsky recorded the second multi-goal game of his playoff career (35 GP) and his second consecutive multi-point contest (also: 1-1—2 in Game 5). He recorded 3-3—6 over his first 33 career postseason appearances.

GAME 7 DOUBLE-HEADER ON WEDNESDAY

Wednesday will feature two Game 7s, with Pittsburgh visiting Washington (7:30 p.m. ET on CBC, TVAS, NBCSN) followed by Edmonton vs. Anaheim (10 p.m. ET on SN, TVAS, NBCSN):

The Penguins will contest a Game 7 for the second straight year (2016 CF vs. TBL: 2-1 W) and 16th time in franchise history (8-7). Pittsburgh owns a perfect 5-0 record in Game 7s on the road, including two wins in Washington (1992 DSF: 3-1 W and 2009 CSF: 6-2 W).

The Capitals will play a Game 7 for the 15th time in franchise history and sixth time in the past six years. Washington holds a 4-10 record all-time in Game 7s, with three of those victories coming on home ice (1988 DSF vs. PHI: 5-4 OT W; 2009 CQF vs. NYR: 2-1 W; and. 2015 FR vs. NYI: 2-1 W).

The Oilers will play a Game 7 for the first time since the 2006 Stanley Cup Final at CAR (3-1 L) and 10th time in franchise history. They are 6-3 in nine such contests, including a 3-2 mark on the road.

The Ducks will play a Game 7 for the fifth straight year and ninth time in franchise history. They hold a 2-6 record in eight previous Game 7s, including a 1-4 mark on home ice. Anaheim’s two Game 7 victories came in the 1997 CQF vs. PHX and 2006 CQF at CGY.

GAME 7 FACTS:

  • Home teams are 97-69 (.584) all-time in Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 3-2 mark in 2016.
  • The team that scores first is 124-42 all-time (.747), including a 5-0 mark in 2016.
  • Forty Game 7s have required overtime (40-of-166, 24.1%). Home and road teams each have 20 wins.
  • The Capitals Justin Williams has won all 7 games sevens he has played in.

Capitals forward T.J. Oshie opened the scoring and added an assist to set a career playoff high with 4-8—12 in 12 GP . . . Sidney Crosby recorded his 97th career playoff assist (all w/ PIT, 134 GP) to pass Mario Lemieux (96 in 107 GP) for sole possession of first place on the Penguins’ all-time list . . . Penguins forward Jake Guentzel scored his ninth goal of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs to extend his franchise record for goals by a rookie in a single postseason. Guentzel (9-4—13 in 11 GP) also tied Jaromir Jagr (3-10—13 in 1991) for most points by a Penguins rookie in a single postseason.

* Information provided via NHL Press Release