Corey Perry might be the only player in the NHL who could experience a storybook ending that makes fans across the league want to throw their copy in the trash.
Perry was the center of attention and catalyst on Sunday as the Anaheim Ducks eliminated the Calgary Flames with a 3-2 overtime win. The playoffs' leading scorer is the perfect blend of elite pro and pest. Or, as Bruce Arthur so elegantly put it:
@kfraserthecall his ability to make people want to punch him in the face is a real gift
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 11, 2015
He's not wrong. Perry put that skill to good use on Sunday, goading the Flames into taking a couple of careless penalties, on which the Ducks scored two power play goals. But his entire evening (and playoffs) almost came undone when he was hit hip-on-hip by Flames winger Matt Stajan in the second period.
Most players at this point would receive a wave of empathy on Twitter, followed by a surge of respect when they returned and a cascade of adulation when they eventually scored the game-winning goal.
Corey Perry is not like most players. He received a wave of mixed feelings when he left the ice, a surge of flopping accusations when he returned and a cascade of groans when he scored the game-winning goal.
For Ducks fans, Perry's performance will go down as a legendary individual effort. For the rest of the league, feelings will be mixed enough that it may barely be remembered. Right or wrong, such is the life of Corey Perry. Right or wrong, it makes for one heck of an interesting case study.
Scores
New York Rangers 4, Washington Capitals 3 (Series tied, 3-3)
Anaheim Ducks 3, Calgary Flames 2 (ANA wins series, 4-1)
3 things we learned
1. Again, Ovechkin is right in his analysis
Alex Ovechkin spent the media scrum after Game 6 making guarantees that the Capitals would win Game 7 in New York. And can you really blame him for thinking that? The Capitals once held a commanding 3-1 lead in this series, despite whatever happened as they blew it. And Washington rallied to mount a great comeback attempt in Game 6. The Caps aren't going down quietly and you should certainly expect a dogfight at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
2. Chris Kreider is setting a tone for New York
In a series where Rick Nash has looked invisible at times, Kreider is filling in nicely as the Rangers' physical, speedy winger who scores at critical times. When Kreider wasn't scoring goals on Sunday, he was putting the puck on net or bothering the heck out of Braden Holtby.
3. Calgary played on their heels all night
No matter the result, Calgary was certainly outplayed in Anaheim on Sunday. The Flames went 9:05 without a shot in the third period, got severely outshot and outchanced, and led a congo line to the penalty box. Sound familiar? It's the way the entire series went between the Ducks and Flames.
Impact moment
Anaheim's playoff lives flashed before their eyes when Corey Perry suffered an ugly-looking leg injury in the second period.
Stat of the night
Caps now 4-12 in Ovechkin Era in potential clinching games. Now 0-5 in Game 6s when leading 3-games-to-2.
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) May 11, 2015