NHL FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF OPENERS SCORES…
CAROLINA 4 – N.Y. Islanders 3 (OT)… The Hurricanes recovered to outlast the Islanders and take a 2-0 lead in the series after letting an early two-goal lead slip away. Jesper Fast netted the winning goal at 5:03 of overtime. Jaccob Slavin had a goal and an assist. The series shifts to New York for tomorrow’s Game 3.
Florida 6 – BOSTON 3… Brandon Montour found the net twice as the Panthers score four unanswered goals in the first period and breezed past the Bruins to even the series at a game apiece. Nick Cousins and Matthew Tkachuk each had two assists. The series moves to Miami for Game 3 tomorrow.
DALLAS 7 – Minnesota 3… Roope Hintz recorded a hat trick and Evgeni Dadonov found the net twice as the Stars skated past the Wild to even the series at a game apiece. Miro Heiskanen piled up four assists. Game 3 is tomorrow in Minneapolis.
EDMONTON 4 – Los Angeles 2… Klim Kostin netted a tie-breaking goal early in the third period and Evander Kane closed with an empty-netter as the Oilers doubled up on the Kings to bring the series even at a game apiece. Derek Ryan and Leon Draisaitl netted first-period goals. Game 3 is tomorrow in Los Angeles.