NHL FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF OPENERS SCORES…
TORONTO 7 – Tampa Bay 2… John Tavares completed a hat trick as the Maple Leafs scored three goals in each of the first two periods and coasted past the Lightning to even the series at a game apiece. Morgan Reilly piled up four assists. The series moves to Tampa for Game 3 tomorrow.
N.Y. Rangers 5 – NEW JERSEY 1… The Rangers skated past the Devils after spotting them an early goal and have taken a 2-0 lead in the series. Chris Kreider scored a pair of power-play goals in the second period. Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists. The series shifts to New York for tomorrow’s Game 3.
COLORADO 3 – Seattle 2… The Avalanche came from two goals down after the first period to upend the Kraken and even the series at a game apiece. Devon Toews netted a go-ahead goal with 7:01 remaining. Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nashushkin scored in the second. The series moves to Seattle for Game 3 tomorrow.
VEGAS 5 – Winnipeg 2… Mark Stone found the net twice as the Golden Knights scored three unanswered goals in the third period to bury the Jets and bring the series even at a game apiece. William Karlsson and Chandler Stephenson each had a goal and an assist. The series shifts to Winnipeg for tomorrow’s Game 3.