NHL Playoff Recap: Sharks drop Game 3 to Predators, 4-1

For the latest hockey news and notes, take a look at our NHL Playoff Recap:

WEBER MATCHES FRANCHISE RECORDS AS PREDATORS CUT SERIES DEFICIT

The Sharks opened the scoring but the Predators responded with four unanswered goals – including the decisive tally by Shea Weber (1-1—2) – to cut their series deficit to 2-1.

Weber registered his fifth career multi-point playoff game and first since Game 2 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals at ANA. In doing so, he equaled franchise records for career playoff goals (13), assists (15) and points (28).

The Predators improved to 4-0 in Game 3 after losing the first two contests of a series. They have never faced a 3-0 series deficit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

BLUES CRUISE TO HOME-ICE VICTORY, TAKE SERIES LEAD

The Stars jumped to an early 1-0 lead but the Blues scored six unanswered goals – powered by Vladimir Tarasenko (1-2—3), David Backes (2-0—2), Alexander Steen (2-0—2) – to take a 2-1 series lead.

Tarasenko posted his second three-point effort of the postseason (also Game 4 of First Round at CHI: 2-1—3). Via Elias, only three St. Louis players have reached 20 career playoff points in fewer games than Tarasenko (23 GP).

Backes, who played the hero in overtime of Game 2 at DAL, notched his second straight decisive tally and third of the postseason (also Game 1 of First Round vs. CHI). Via Elias, only two other Blues players have scored three game-winning goals in one playoff year: Brett Hull (1988 and 1990) and Scott Young (2001).

Steen registered his second career multi-goal game in the postseason. His other such performance was in Game 1 of the 2013 Conference Quarterfinals, when he scored both goals in a 2-1 overtime win vs. LAK.

LIGHTNING STUN ISLANDERS TO WIN BACK-AND-FORTH GAME 3

Nikita Kucherov scored with 38.4 seconds remaining in regulation – the fourth tying goal of the game and third by the Lightning – and Brian Boyle notched the winner at 2:48 of overtime to lift Tampa Bay to a 2-1 series lead against the Islanders.

Via Elias, the Lightning scored a game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation in an eventual playoff win for the second time in franchise history. They also achieved the feat in Game 3 of 2004 Conference Semifinals at MTL, when Vincent Lecavalier tied the game at 19:43 of the third period and Brad Richards notched the winner 65 seconds into the extra frame.

Boyle notched his first career overtime goal (regular-season and playoffs, 640 GP). His only other playoff game-winning goals came with the Rangers in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Kucherov, who paces all players with seven goals this postseason, has collected 18-15—33 in 36 career playoff games (all w/ TBL). His 18 goals are tied with Tyler Johnson (38 GP) and Richards (45 GP) for third all-time in franchise playoff history.

Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (1-2—3), who logged a game-high 30:15 of ice time, matched a franchise playoff record for points in a game by a defenseman. Eric Brewer also posted 1-2—3 in Game 2 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals at PIT.

The Lightning, who played past regulation for the first time this postseason, improved to 12-7 in all-time playoff overtimes games (9-3 on the road).

PENGUINS HOST CAPITALS ON ANNIVERSARY OF ‘DUELING HAT TRICKS’

The Penguins look to take a 3-1 series lead when they welcome the Capitals to CONSOL Energy Center for Game 4 of their Second Round series. The contest falls exactly seven years after Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin each recorded a hat trick in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (a 4-3 Capitals win) in their second ever playoff meeting.

WEDNESDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Washington @ Pittsburgh, 8:00 p.m., PIT leads 2-1, NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

TUESDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

Tampa Bay 5, NY ISLANDERS 4 (OT) – TBL leads 2-1
NASHVILLE 4, San Jose 1 – SJS leads 2-1
ST. LOUIS 6, Dallas 1 – STL leads 2-1

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services