During the NHL’s hiatus, we at the Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for May 22nd, featuring Nicklas Lidstrom.
Today in Hockey History
Nicklas Lidstrom Plays in 228th Straight Playoff Game
2009: The Detroit Red Wings defenceman sets a post-season record by playing in his 228th straight game. Lidstrom breaks the record held by Hall of Famer Larry Robinson, who played from 1973-92. Detroit loses to the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-3, in overtime in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final.
The future Hall of Famer would finish with 263 post-season games before he retires. Teammate Chris Chelios would end up with the record of 266 playoff games. Lidstrom would finish his career with four Stanley Cups before retiring in 2012.
Other Notable Events
1970: The Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks are officially granted franchises to grow the league to 14 teams. Both teams are placed in the East Division and Chicago is moved out West.
1986: Patrick Roy gets his first of 23 playoff shutouts in a 1-0 Game 4 win for the Montreal Canadiens. Roy stops 15 shots in a victory over the Calgary Flames.
1992: Chicago makes its first final since 1973 with a 5-1 Game 4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Brian Noonan scores twice as the Blackhawks win their 11th straight game.
2002: Dominik Hasek is the first goalie to be credited with an overtime post-season assist. Hasek is the secondary assist on Fredrik Olausson‘s goal in a 2-1 Game 3 win for Detroit over the Colorado Avalanche.
2004: The Tampa Bay Lightning reach their first Stanley Cup final with a 2-1 Game 7 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Captain Dave Andreychuk reaches his first final in his 22-year career.
2007: The Anaheim Ducks make their second final with a 4-3 Game 6 win over the Red Wings. Samuel Pahlsson gets the game-winner to hold off Detroit.
2012: The Los Angeles Kings reach their first final in 19 years with a 4-3 OT win over the Phoenix Coyotes. Dustin Penner‘s goal 17:42 of overtime lifts the Kings to their 12th win in 14 games.
2017: The Nashville Predators make their first Stanley Cup Final with a 6-3 Game 6 win over Anaheim. Colton Sissons gets a hat trick and Pekka Rinne stops 38 shots for the Predators.
Happy Birthday to You
1952: Rich Preston
1974: Andrei Nazarov
1975: Janne Niinimaa
1985: Marc-Antoine Pouliot
