PREDATORS HANG ON TO TAKE 3-1 SERIES LEAD
The Predators scored twice in the third period and held off a late push by the Blues to take a 3-1 series lead and move within one win of reaching the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Nashville improved to 7-1 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 4-0 clip at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators have won eight consecutive postseason games at home dating to Game 6 of the 2016 First Round vs. ANA.
Ryan Ellis scored for the third straight contest to extend his point streak to seven games (4-5—9). Elias notes that he matched the franchise record for longest point streak in the postseason, set by Colin Wilson in 2016 (4-5—9). Ellis became the first defenseman on any team to record a seven-game point streak in the postseason since Chris Pronger (1-8—9 w/ STL) and Jason Woolley (1-8—9 w/ BUF) in 1998. Ellis established a franchise record for goals in a single postseason by a defenseman and tied the Predators benchmark for most points by a blueliner, set by Roman Josi in 2016 (1-8—9).
Pekka Rinne made 32 saves to improve to 7-1 in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (1.33 GAA, .953 SV%, 3 SO). Rinne matched the franchise record for wins in a single postseason, a mark he set in 2016 (7-7).
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Predators defensemen have combined for a League-leading eight goals in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (8 GP). Their eight tallies are a franchise record for most in a single postseason by defensemen, eclipsing the mark set in 2016 (7 in 14 GP) . . . Senators forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau (1-0—1) ranks tied for second in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs with six goals (9 GP) . . . Blues defenseman Joel Edmundson scored his third goal of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (9 GP), matching his total from the 2016-17 regular season (69 GP) . . . The NHL and Sabres announced the NHL Scouting Combine will remain in Buffalo through 2019 . . . The Maple Leafs signed defenseman Nikita Zaitsev to a seven-year contract .
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
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