The NHL playoffs first round opened up on Wednesday and the Montreal Canadiens, NY Islanders, Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks all took 1-0 series leads in their matchups with the Senators, Capitals, Predators and Canucks with more games to come this weekend.
The Islanders took home ice advantage from the Washington Capitals and now they lead the series 1-0 against Washington. The Islanders slumped during the second half of the season, but they have the chance now to upset the Capitals, who have had some bad luck in the playoffs over the past few years. Jarasolv Halak had 24 saves in the game and now the teams will play again in Washington before heading to Long Island and Nassau Coliseum.
The Canadiens come back from a deficit and won 4-3 against the Senators to take a 1-0 series lead. Montreal was the second best team overall in points in the NHL and the east behind the Rangers and they got 30 saves from MVP candidate Carey Price in the win. The Chicago Blackhawks won 4-3 against the Predators in double overtime and they took home ice from Nashville in the game.
Jonathan Toews had one goal and two assists for the Blackhawks and now they have the chance to go up 2-0 on the Preds. The Flames won over the Canucks in Game 1 and they now lead the series 1-0. The rest of the schedule starts on Thursday, with the Penguins taking on the rangers, Red Wings playing the Lightning, Wild visiting the Blues and the Jets taking on the Ducks.