Capitals Rally Maple Leafs in Overtime for Game-1 Win
The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the rise as an organization, but their inexperience got the best of them in Game 1 on Thursday night. The Leafs blew a 2-0 lead and fell to the Washington Capitals in overtime, 3-2. Tom Wilson scored 5:15 into the extra period after Justin Williams scored twice in regulation to tie the game. Both of Toronto's goals came in the opening period, as Mitch Marner and Jake Gardiner found the back of the net early on. From there, Braden Holtby could not be beat, recording 35 saves in the win. Frederik Andersen made 41 saves in defeat, but Williams had his number, while Wilson found a way to squeak a shot that should've been stopped by him for the win. The veteran defenseman for the Caps recorded his first two career playoff goals in his 29th playoff game. Game 2 of the series is in our nation's capital on Saturday, as Washington has won eight consecutive home games against the Leafs, and eight of nine overall in the head-to-head series.
Predators Shut Out Blackhawks in Game 1
The Nashville Predators have a tough task in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has made a habit of going deep into the postseason. Nashville did not look intimidated in Game 1 Thursday night, shutting out Chicago for a 1-0 victory. Pekka Rinne made 29 saves, while Viktor Arvidsson scored in the first period for the lone goal of the game. The 34-year-old goalie gave the Predators their first road shutout in franchise history. Meanwhile, Corey Crawford had 19 saves in the losing effort for the Blackhawks, who have dropped just two of their past seven at home in the playoffs against their division rival. Chicago sits as the top seed in the Western Conference, but got off to a slow start in their quest for their fourth Stanley Cup in the last eight seasons. Game 2 of the series will take place Saturday night in Chicago.
Getzlaf, Ducks Slip Past Flames in Game 1
The Anaheim Ducks held off the Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division standings to host the series, and on Thursday they got by them in Game 1 of their first round series. Veteran Ryan Getzlaf led the way with a goal and an assist in what was a 3-2 Ducks victory. Jakob Silfverberg netted the tie-breaking goal in the second period, which was assisted by Getzlaf. Rickard Rakell also found the back of the net, while John Gibson made 30 saves in the crucial series-opening victory. Anaheim is coming off an early exit in last year's postseason, as they were downed by the Nashville Predators in the first round. In that series they dropped both of the first two home games, but that trend did not move over into this season. Game 2 is Saturday night at the Honda Center, where the Flames have not won since April of 2006. That is a streak of 26 games which is the longest such streak in NHL history.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the rise as an organization, but their inexperience got the best of them in Game 1 on Thursday night. The Leafs blew a 2-0 lead and fell to the Washington Capitals in overtime, 3-2. Tom Wilson scored 5:15 into the extra period after Justin Williams scored twice in regulation to tie the game. Both of Toronto's goals came in the opening period, as Mitch Marner and Jake Gardiner found the back of the net early on. From there, Braden Holtby could not be beat, recording 35 saves in the win. Frederik Andersen made 41 saves in defeat, but Williams had his number, while Wilson found a way to squeak a shot that should've been stopped by him for the win. The veteran defenseman for the Caps recorded his first two career playoff goals in his 29th playoff game. Game 2 of the series is in our nation's capital on Saturday, as Washington has won eight consecutive home games against the Leafs, and eight of nine overall in the head-to-head series.
Predators Shut Out Blackhawks in Game 1
The Nashville Predators have a tough task in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has made a habit of going deep into the postseason. Nashville did not look intimidated in Game 1 Thursday night, shutting out Chicago for a 1-0 victory. Pekka Rinne made 29 saves, while Viktor Arvidsson scored in the first period for the lone goal of the game. The 34-year-old goalie gave the Predators their first road shutout in franchise history. Meanwhile, Corey Crawford had 19 saves in the losing effort for the Blackhawks, who have dropped just two of their past seven at home in the playoffs against their division rival. Chicago sits as the top seed in the Western Conference, but got off to a slow start in their quest for their fourth Stanley Cup in the last eight seasons. Game 2 of the series will take place Saturday night in Chicago.
Getzlaf, Ducks Slip Past Flames in Game 1
The Anaheim Ducks held off the Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division standings to host the series, and on Thursday they got by them in Game 1 of their first round series. Veteran Ryan Getzlaf led the way with a goal and an assist in what was a 3-2 Ducks victory. Jakob Silfverberg netted the tie-breaking goal in the second period, which was assisted by Getzlaf. Rickard Rakell also found the back of the net, while John Gibson made 30 saves in the crucial series-opening victory. Anaheim is coming off an early exit in last year's postseason, as they were downed by the Nashville Predators in the first round. In that series they dropped both of the first two home games, but that trend did not move over into this season. Game 2 is Saturday night at the Honda Center, where the Flames have not won since April of 2006. That is a streak of 26 games which is the longest such streak in NHL history.
