WASHINGTON (AP) — John Carlson scored a power-play goal and Braden Holby made 19 saves to help the Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-0 in Thursday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Washington’s penalty kill went for 4 for 4 and frustrated the Flyers. Holtby had seven saves on Philadelphia power plays to pick up his third career shutout in the playoffs.
Flyers counterpart Steve Mason stopped 29 shots he faced, giving up Carlson’s second-period goal on a shot that deflected in off teammate Chris VandeVelde. Jay Beagle added a late goal.
The Flyers lost second-line center Sean Couturier to an upper-body injury in the second period.
Game 2 is Saturday night in Washington.
ISLANDERS 5,
PANTHERS 4
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — John Tavares had a goal and two assists, including one that set up Kyle Okposo’s go-ahead goal early in the third period, and New York beat Florida Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series.
Thomas Greiss survived a shaky beginning and made 42 saves for the Islanders in his first playoff start, and Brock Nelson, Frans Nielsen and Ryan Strome added goals for New York.
Home-ice advantage in the series now belongs to the Islanders, and they can take a 2-0 lead back to Barclays Center if they prevail when the series resumes in a quick turnaround Friday night.
Reilly Smith had two goals, Jussi Jokinen had a goal and two assists and Teddy Purcell also scored for the Panthers. Roberto Luongo made 21 saves.
STARS 4, WILD 0
DALLAS (AP) — Kari Lehtonen made 22 saves for his second career playoff shutout, Jamie Benn had a goal and two assists and Dallas beat Minnesota in Game 1 of the Western Conference series.
Jason Spezza returned to the postseason with a nifty goal and added an assist.
Spezza was skating along the right side and initially faked a slap shot with just over 8 minutes left in the second period. After skating a few more feet to near the center of the faceoff circle, he took a wrist shot and sent the puck in the upper right corner to make it 2-0.
Patrick Eaves and Radek Faksa also scored.
Game 2 is Saturday night in Dallas.
