Brett Howden scored two goals, including the game winner early in the third period, and Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in Game 1 in the Western Conference first round series on Sunday evening in Las Vegas.
Tomas Hertl had a goal and an assist, Adin Hill made 18 rescues and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored for Vegas, which improved to 9-2 in the playoffs at the T-Mobile Arena.
The best-by-seven matchup continues Tuesday with Game 2 in Las Vegas, before moving to Saint Paul, Minn., For two matches.
Matt Boldy made both Wild’s goals and Kirill Kaprizov helped with both. Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 out of 26 shots.
Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
Logan Stankoven did twice during the second period when Carolina got a victory over New Jersey in Game 1 in the Eastern Conference first round series in Raleigh, NC
Jalen Chatfield did early in the first period for Hurricanes, who won for the 32nd time at home this season. Andrei Svechnikov added an empty net goal and Taylor Hall gathered two assists. Carolina goalkeeper Frederik Andersen finished with 23 rescues.
Nico Hischier made a 4-on-4 late in the other for the devils while goalkeeper Jacob Markstrom, who was often under siege, made 41 rescues.
Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists for Toronto in a home victory against Ottawa in Game 1 in their Eastern Conference first round series.
John Tavares and William Nylander each had a goal and one assist, Auston Matthews had two assists and Anthony Stollarz made 31 rescues for Maple Leafs, No. 2 seeds from the Eastern Conference.
Drake Batherson and Ridly Greig scored and Linus Ullmark made 18 rescues for the senators, the first wild card team from the east.
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