Colorado Avalanche Secure Victory in Game 1 of Playoffs
DENVER — In a thrilling Game 1 of the playoffs, the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche secured a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The game was marked by key performances from Logan O’Connor and Scott Wedgewood, who played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Logan O’Connor scored his first goal in over a year, which came in the third period. This was his first goal since Game 4 of a playoff series against Dallas on April 26. O’Connor had missed most of the season due to a hip injury. Artturi Lehkonen added a second-period goal for the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche.
Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves in his first Stanley Cup playoffs start, securing the win. He was chosen over Mackenzie Blackwood after leading the league in goals-against average and save percentage. Wedgewood had previously made four career playoff appearances in relief before this start.
The Kings responded with a power-play goal from Artemi Panarin with 2:22 left in the game, making it 2-1. However, shortly after, forward Joel Armia was called for high-sticking, preventing the Kings from tying the game. Anton Forsberg made 28 saves in his NHL postseason debut.
Montreal Canadiens Triumph in Overtime
TAMPA, Fla. — In another exciting matchup, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime during Game 1 of their first-round series. Juraj Slafkovsky scored his third power-play goal 1:22 into overtime, sealing the victory for Montreal.
Slafkovsky’s goal came off a slap shot from the left circle that beat Andrei Vasilevskiy to the far side. Josh Anderson also scored for Montreal, while rookie goalie Jakub Dobes made 20 saves. Brandon Hagel scored two goals, and Darren Raddysh added one for Tampa Bay.
Game 2 is set for Tuesday night at Benchmark International Arena, where Tampa Bay has struggled in recent postseason games, losing eight of its last nine home games.
Buffalo Sabres End Playoff Drought
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres ended a 15-year playoff drought with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 1. Mattias Samuelson scored with 3:24 left, helping the Sabres overcome a two-goal deficit in the final eight minutes.
Tage Thompson scored two goals 3:42 apart to tie the game, and Alex Tuch sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 1:12 left. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 17 shots in the win.
This was the Sabres’ first playoff win at home and overall since a 1-0 victory over Philadelphia in Game 4 of a first-round series in April 2011. The Sabres won their first Atlantic Division this season and snapped an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought.
Vegas Golden Knights Overcome Challenges
LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-2 in Game 1 of their first-round series. Nic Dowd redirected Noah Hanifin’s shot from the point to put Vegas ahead at 7:20 of the third period.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights, who twice trailed before scoring three third-period goals, have not lost in regulation since John Tortorella took over as coach (8-0-1).
The Mammoth, in their first playoff game since 2020, lost in their second season in Utah after leaving Arizona. Colton Sissons had a goal and assist for the Golden Knights, while Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev also scored. Carter Hart made 32 saves. Hanifin added two assists.
Logan Cooley and Kevin Stenlund scored for the Mammoth. Karel Vejmelka, in his first playoff game after five years in the Utah/Arizona organization, made 27 saves. Captain Clayton Keller, who closed the regular season with 16 assists over a 10-game streak, did not record any in this game.
