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Andre Burakovsky's goal in overtime of Game 1 sealed the Colorado Avalanche's victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman sealed his own piece of history in Game 1, as well.
In the first period, Hedman notched his 13th assist of the playoffs as Nick Paul put the Lightning on the board. This assist brought Hedman's postseason points total to 15. According to Hockey Reference, he has joined New York Islanders legend Denis Potvin as the only defenseman to record 15+ points in three straight playoff campaigns.
Hedman netted 20 points in the team's 2020 playoff run, which culminated with them lifting Lord Stanley's Cup. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP that year.
In 2021, the 31-year-old Swede recorded 18 points as the Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens to repeat as champions.
Potvin recorded 15+ playoff points on five occasions, including four years in a row from 1980 to 1983. This run of form coincided with four consecutive Stanley Cup victories by Potvin's Islanders.
Potvin, like Hedman, was a point-producing defenseman in his day. In 1978-79, the seven-time All-Star recorded 101 points, including 31 goals, as the then 25-year-old won the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman.
Since being drafted second overall in 2009, Hedman has become one of the league's premier blueliners. He was the Norris Trophy winner in 2017-18 and has finished top three in Norris voting every year since.
Hedman and the Lightning are looking to clinch their third consecutive Stanley Cup, but they head into Saturday night's game in Tampa Bay down one game to none in the series.
