USAToday Sports Images

FOUR-GOAL FIRST PERIOD HELPS SENATORS TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD

The Senators scored four goals in the first period – including three in a span of 2:18 – en route to a 5-1 win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final. Ottawa improved to 5-2 at Canadian Tire Centre during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including four consecutive victories.

The Senators established a franchise playoff record for fastest three goals, eclipsing the previous mark set in Game 1 of the 2002 Conference Semifinals at Toronto (4:00). The NHL record for fastest three goals by one team in the postseason is 23 seconds, set by the Maple Leafs in Game 2 of the 1979 Preliminary Round vs. Atlanta.

Mike Hoffman (1-1—2) opened the scoring 48 seconds into the contest. Hoffman scored the third-fastest goal to begin a playoff game in franchise history, behind Peter Regin in Game 2 of the 2010 Conference Quarterfinals at Pittsburgh (0:18) and Mike Fisher in Game 4 of the 2003 Conference Quarterfinals at NY Islanders (0:28).

[pb_vidembed title=”” caption=”” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrzd3brOT9A” type=”yt” w=”480″ h=”385″]

Erik Karlsson collected an assist and leads all defensemen with 2-12—14 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (15 GP). His 12 assists are three shy of the franchise record for most in a playoff year, set by Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza in 2007 (20 GP).

Craig Anderson made 25 saves to improve to 10-5 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (2.20 GAA, .923 SV%, 1 SO). Anderson earned his 20th career playoff win with the Senators, one shy of Patrick Lalime (21) for the most in franchise history.

[pb_vidembed title=”” caption=”” url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1CMfw17iRs” type=”yt” w=”480″ h=”385″]

When teams are tied 1-1 in a best-of-seven series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the winner of Game 3 holds an all-time series record of 205-99, including a 3-2 mark this postseason.

Senators defenseman Marc Methot (1-1—2) scored his second goal of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (14 GP). He did not score during the 2016-17 regular season (68 GP) . . . Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (1-0—1) ranks tied for fourth among all skaters with 5-10—15 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (14 GP). Crosby has recorded 34 points versus the Senators in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, his most against any NHL opponent (15-19—34 in 23 GP)  . . . The NHL Centennial Fan Arena will visit KeyBank Center in Buffalo during the NHL Scouting Combine presented by adidas . . . NHL LiveWire: Click here to listen to the sights and sounds from Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final . . .  NHL Network announced that it has secured the exclusive rights to televise the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in the United States from 2018 through 2020 . . . Scotiabank and the NHL announced a new multi-year agreement, continuing a decade-long partnership that began in 2007.

* Information provided via NHL Press Release