Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
Brett Howden scored twice, including the game-winner early in the third period, as Vegas opened their Western Conference first-round series with a victory over Minnesota at T-Mobile Arena. Tomas Hertl added a goal and an assist, and Adin Hill stopped 18 shots as the Golden Knights improved to 9-2 in playoff openers at home.
Pavel Dorofeyev also found the net for Vegas, which now leads the best-of-seven series 1-0. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
Matt Boldy scored both goals for Minnesota, while Kirill Kaprizov assisted on each. Filip Gustavsson finished with 23 saves for the Wild, who will look to even the series before heading back to Saint Paul.
Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
Logan Stankoven scored twice in the second period as Carolina rode a strong middle frame to a Game 1 win over New Jersey in Raleigh. Jalen Chatfield opened the scoring early in the first, while Andrei Svechnikov sealed the win with an empty-net goal late.
Taylor Hall contributed two assists and Frederik Andersen made 23 saves as Carolina used its depth and forecheck to dominate time on attack. The Hurricanes recorded their 32nd home win this season.
Nico Hischier scored the Devils’ lone goal during 4-on-4 play, but New Jersey struggled to match Carolina’s pace. Jacob Markstrom kept the score from widening, turning away 41 shots despite the loss.
Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
Mitch Marner powered Toronto with a goal and two assists in a convincing Game 1 victory at home against Ottawa. John Tavares and William Nylander each tallied a goal and an assist, while Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves to backstop the Maple Leafs.
Toronto, the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, jumped out early and never looked back, building a 3-0 lead by the midpoint of the game. Auston Matthews assisted twice and the Leafs’ depth proved too much for the Senators’ defense.
Drake Batherson and Ridly Greig found the net for Ottawa, and Linus Ullmark stopped 18 of 24 shots. The Senators, who entered as the first wild-card team, will need a stronger defensive effort in Game 2.
