Preds' elite defense join exclusive company
The Nashville Predators' defense corps hit new heights Saturday night.
Roman Josi led the way with a goal and two assists to jump into second in defenseman scoring this postseason, while Mattias Ekholm collected a goal - his first of the playoffs - and an assist in the team's crucial 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Per @EliasSports: @rjosi90 was first d-man with 3 points in a period of a #StanleyCup Final game since Larry Murphy in 1991 (Game 5 w/ PIT). pic.twitter.com/CeuViigWOD
- NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 4, 2017
Ekholm's two-point outing made Nashville just the third team in NHL history to have four defensemen record double-digit points in a single playoffs, joining the 1984 Edmonton Oilers and the 1993 Los Angeles Kings.
| Player | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Josi | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| Ryan Ellis | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| P.K. Subban | 2 | 9 | 11 |
| Mattias Ekholm | 1 | 9 | 10 |
The Predators quartet has combined for 47 points in 19 games. Meanwhile, the Oilers of '84 recorded 52 points in 19 games, while the '93 Kings' top-four had 43 combined points in 24 games.
Like the old saying goes: "defense wins championships."
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