Ducks make clutch rally and win in OT to take 3-2 series lead

It might not be the Miracle on Manchester, but Friday night at Honda Center Southern California hockey fans witnessed a feat perhaps equally as exciting, as the Anaheim Ducks became the first team in Stanley Cup Playoff history to win a game when trailing by three goals (3-0) with less than four minutes left in regulation.  Prior to Friday, no other NHL club had even forced overtime in such a situation.

Just like that historic win by the Los Angeles Kings in 1982, the Edmonton Oilers once again were the losing squad.

With the Oilers leading 3-0, the Ducks scored three times in the final 3:16 of the third period – including the tying goal by Rickard Rakell (1-1—2) with 15 seconds remaining in regulation – before Corey Perry (1-2—3) completed the comeback at 6:57 of double-overtime to help Anaheim take a 3-2 series lead.  Anaheim would win by a final score of 4-3.

The Ducks became the second team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to overcome a three-goal deficit in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime – the Oilers mounted the only other such rally en route to a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 3 of the 1997 Conference Quarterfinals versus Dallas.

The Ducks overcame a three-goal deficit to win for the second time in franchise history, with both instances occurring this postseason (also Game 3 of FR at CGY). Friday also marked the third time this postseason (and second straight game) that Anaheim erased a multi-goal deficit to win – they trailed 2-0 en route to a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 4 at Edmonton.

The Ducks became the 13th team in NHL history to win consecutive playoff games in which they trailed by multiple goals and first since the Kings achieved the feat in three consecutive games during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs (Game 7 of CF at CHI, Games 1-2 of F vs. NYR).

Perry, who has spent his entire career with the Ducks, scored his third overtime goal in the postseason to take sole possession of first place in franchise history. His seven career playoff game-winning goals rank second on the club’s all-time list behind Teemu Selanne (8).

Rakell scored the latest game-tying goal in franchise playoff history. In Game 3, Rakell scored 25 seconds into the contest to set a club record for fastest goal to begin a playoff game.

Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (1-1—2) ranks second in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 8-7—15 (9 GP), while Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg (0-2—2) extended his point streak to five games (5-3—8).

The Ducks set a franchise record with 64 shots on goal, eclipsing the previous mark of 63 (Game 5 of 2007 CSF vs. VAN).  Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot (60 saves) became the first goaltender in franchise history to make at least 60 saves in a game (regular-season and playoffs).

Oilers captain Connor McDavid (1-1—2) scored for the third consecutive game (3-1—4).

In other NHL news  . . .

SCHWARTZ, ALLEN HELP BLUES STAVE OFF ELIMINATION

Jaden Schwartz scored the go-ahead goal 25 seconds into the third period and Jake Allen made 21 saves to help the Blues stave off elimination and force Game 6 against the Predators.

Schwartz, who leads the Blues with 4-4—8 in 10 games this postseason, scored his third game-winning goal of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs to match the franchise record for most in a single postseason, equaling a mark achieved by Brett Hull (1988 and 1990), Scott Young (2001) and David Backes (2016).

Playing in his first game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Dmitrij Jaskin opened the scoring for the Blues – his first goal since Dec. 3 at WPG when he tallied his only marker of the 2016-17 regular season (51 GP). Jaskin also registered a game-high eight shots on goal, tied for the second-most by any player this postseason.

PENGUINS AIM FOR SECOND STRAIGHT BERTH IN CONFERENCE FINALS

Pittsburgh looks to become the first team to advance past the Second Round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they take on Washington at Verizon Center. The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins are aiming to reach the Conference Finals for the second straight year and third time in the past five seasons.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

ST. LOUIS 2, Nashville 1 – NSH leads 3-2
ANAHEIM 4, Edmonton 3 (2OT) – ANA leads 3-2

SATURDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

NY Rangers @ Ottawa, series tied 2-2, 3 p.m., CBC, TVAS, NBCSN
Pittsburgh @ Washington, PIT leads 3-1, 7:15 p.m., CBC, TVAS, NBC

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services