Panarin’s overtime stunner helps edge Capitals
COLUMBUS 4, WASHINGTON 3 (OT)
WASHINGTON Artemi Panarin scored 6:02 into overtime to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals Thursday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
Panarin made an incredible individual move to drive by fellow Russian Dmitry Orlov and went backhand-to-forehand to beat Philipp Grubauer top shelf. Game 2 is Sunday in Washington. Alexander Wennberg, Thomas Vanek and Seth Jones scored in regulation and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 27 shots for Columbus, which got two power-play goals to continue a strong trend since the trade deadline.
Wennberg left the game with an upper-body injury in the third period and didn’t return. Jones drew a penalty late in the third period, almost put the puck in his own net and tied it on the ensuing power play with 4:26 left in regulation to send the game to overtime.
Washington got two power-play goals from Evgeny Kuznetsov on Josh Anderson’s five-minute major penalty for boarding Michal Kempny and an even-strength goal on the rush in the third period by Devante Smith-Pelly. Grubauer, who got the nod over 2016 Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby, made 23 saves in his second career playoff start.
Only one team spent less time short-handed this season than Columbus, but first-period penalties put pressure on a penalty-killing unit that ranked 30th on the road. The Blue Jackets killed off two minor penalties, but a major called on Anderson turned the game.
With 2:37 left in the first, Andersen boarded Kempny and was given a game misconduct as well. Kempny ’s head hit the glass and he never returned with the Capitals saying he’d be re-evaluated Friday.
Washington’s skilled power play took advantage with Kuznetsov scoring 19 seconds in on a shot that squeaked by Bobrovsky.
Kuznetsov left no doubt on his second goal in 29 seconds, firing a laser from the left faceoff circle. It was the shortest amount of time between two goals by the same player in Capitals franchise history since Larry Murphy scored two in 16 seconds in 1985.
TAMPA BAY 5, NEW JERSEY 2
At Tampa, Fla., the Lightning got early goals from four players — none of them named Nikita Kucherov or Steven Stamkos — before holding off New Jersey in Game 1.
Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Yanni Gourde scored, helping the Bolts build a 3-0 lead that New Jersey trimmed to one goal before Alex Killorn and Kucherov, who added an empty-netter, finished off the win.
Taylor Hall scored an unassisted goal in the second period, then assisted on Travis Zajac’s powerplay goal that cut it to 3-2 midway through third.
Killorn’s shot over the glove of goalie Keith Kinkaid’s glove restored a two-goal lead before Kucherov, who led the Lightning with 100 points this season, ensured there would be no comeback.
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves. Game 2 is Saturday at Amalie Arena.
The Devils won all three meetings between the teams during the regular season.