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MURRAY HELPS PENGUINS EVEN EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Making his first start since April 6, Matt Murray recorded 24 saves to help the Penguins even the Eastern Conference Final at two games apiece.

The Penguins improved to 12-2 in playoff games following a loss under head coach Mike Sullivan, including a 5-1 record this postseason.  Murray, who suffered an injury prior to Game 1 of Pittsburgh’s opening round series vs. Columbus, made his first playoff start since Game 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. He went 15-6 (2.08 GAA, .923 SV%, 1 SO) during last year’s postseason to guide the Penguins to their fourth championship.

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Sidney Crosby (1-1—2) and Jake Guentzel (0-2—2) each registered multiple points. Crosby, who ranks third with 6-11—17 this postseason (15 GP), is one helper shy of becoming the 22nd player in NHL history to collect 100 playoff assists (55-99—154 in 139 GP).  Guentzel, meanwhile, continues to lead all rookies with 9-7—16 this postseason (16 GP). His 16 points are five shy of the NHL rookie record for a single playoff year, set by Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli in 1981 (14-7—21 in 19 GP) and matched by Philadelphia’s Ville Leino in 2010 (7-14—21 in 19 GP).

PERRY (AGAIN) COMES THROUGH IN OVERTIME AS DUCKS EVEN SERIES

Anaheim surrendered a 2-0 lead in the final 6:27 of regulation – including a game-tying goal with 34.5 seconds remaining in the third period – before Corey Perry scored his third overtime goal of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Ducks evened the Western Conference Final at 2-2. Perry matched the NHL record for most overtime goals in a single postseason, a mark set by Mel Hill in 1939  and matched by Maurice Richard in 1951.

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With four career playoff overtime goals, Perry trails only Joe Sakic (8), Richard (6), Glenn Anderson (5) and Patrick Kane (5) for the most in NHL history. Perry tallied his eighth career game-winning goal in the playoffs (all with Anaheim), tying Teemu Selanne for the most in franchise history.

The Ducks improved to 4-1 in overtime games in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 3-0 clip on the road.  The also Ducks snapped the Predators’ playoff home win streak at 10 games. Anaheim became the first road team to win a playoff game at Bridgestone Arena since their 4-1 victory in Game 4 of the 2016 First Round.

When teams are tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the winner of Game 5 holds an all-time series record of 198-54, including a 5-0 mark this postseason.

Predators forward Filip Forsberg (1-0—1) has scored in each of the first four games of the Western Conference Final; Elias notes that the only other player in the past 25 years to score in each of the first four games of a Conference Final was Dustin Byfuglien in 2010 vs. SJS (w/ CHI). With seven goals in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Forsberg matched the franchise record for most in a single postseason, a mark set by Joel Ward in 2011 . . . The Ducks outshot the Predators 14-2 in the opening frame to establish a franchise record for fewest shots against in a playoff period . . . Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler collected his 27th career playoff assist (all w/ ANA) to pass Scott Niedermayer(26) for second on the franchise’s all-time list among blueliners, two behind Francois Beauchemin (29).  Penguins defensemen Olli Maatta scored his first career postseason goal (47 GP), while fellow blueliner Brian Dumoulin recorded his third career goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (45 GP) – he has two goals in 163 career regular-season appearances . . . Senators captain Erik Karlsson (0-1—1) continues to lead all defensemen with 2-13—15 this postseason (16 GP) . . . Forward Evgeni Malkin skated in his 140th career playoff game (all w/ PIT) to tie Jaromir Jagr for the most in Penguins history.

* Information provided via NHL Press Release