Stanley Cup Szn Strikes

04/22/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

Stanley Cup Playoff Game 1s: Rangers & Bruins Send a Message to the East

The race for the Stanley Cup dropped the puck on Saturday, too. And thus, our double-dip of playoff kickoffs continues. Six series saw Game 1s on Saturday and Sunday with two more Game 1s tonight. The Jets (7 goals) were flying high, but the Bruins and Rangers looked like the most complete teams entering the postseason. Let’s re-skate Game 1s.

Gm 1: Bruins def. Maple Leafs (5-1)

Saturday’s playoff opener was a no-contest in favor of the Bruins. Boston got a pair from Jake DeBrusk and the B’s went up 4-0 before skating to a 5-1 win. BOS Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Hurricanes def. Islanders (3-1)

Saturday’s nightcap was 1-1 before the ‘Canes scored twice in the 3rd. Stefan Noesen broke the tie and Martin Necas snapped one late. CAR Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Rangers def. Capitals (4-1)

Matt Rempe put the Rangers on top in the 2nd, Chris Kreider added a breakaway goal in the 3rd, and Artemi Panarin was brilliant to help seal the victory for New York in an easy Game 1 rout. NYR Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Panthers def. Lightning (3-2)

Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk both scored in the 3rd period to turn a 1-1 stalemate into a Game 1 win for the Panthers. The Lightning added one in garbage time, but the Sunshine State matchup is underway. FLA Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Jets def. Avalanche (7-6)

Holy goals! The Jets and Avs lit the lamp 13 times on Sunday night, but it was a pair of goals by Kyle Connor and Adam Lowry (2 each) that made the difference for Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck also made 40 saves. WPG Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Canucks def. Predators (4-2)

The Predators had the Canucks on the ropes with a 2-1 lead entering the 3rd period, but back-to-back goals 12 seconds apart from Pius Suter and Dakota Joshua helped the Canucks rally with a three-goal final frame to steal Game 1. VAN Leads Series (1-0)

Tonight’s Schedule

(Today’s Must-Watch List)

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Photo: Jared Silber / Getty Images