NHL FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF OPENERS SCORES…
N.Y. Rangers 5 – NEW JERSEY 1… Vladimir Tarasenko and Chris Kreider scored first-period goals off assists from Artemi Panarin and the Rangers cruised past the Devils. Kreider scored again in the third. The series remains in Newark for Game 2 tomorrow.
Tampa Bay 7 – TORONTO 3… Brayden Point found the net twice to lead the Lightning in their thumping of the Maple Leafs. Nikita Kucherov and Corey Perry had a goal and two assists. The series remains in Toronto for Game 2 tomorrow.
Winnipeg 5 – VEGAS 1… Kyle Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois broke a scoreless tie with back-to-back goals a minute apart early in the second period and the Jets skated past the Golden Knights. Adam Lowry capped the scoring with a pair of late goals. Game 2 is tomorrow in Las Vegas.
Seattle 3 – COLORADO 1… Alex Wennberg scored a tie-breaking goal early in the second period and the Kraken went on to stun the Avalanche. Eeli Tolvanen and Morgan Geekie also found the net. Philipp Grubauer made 34 saves at goal. Colorado will try to even the series when it hosts game 2 tomorrow.