Blues win late, lead series 2-0 vs. Kings

Barret Jackman scored his first career playoff goal with 50.4 seconds left to lift the host St. Louis Blues to a 2-1 victory Thursday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.

Jackman, a stay-at-home type of defenseman who totaled three goals and 12 points during the regular season, joined a rush and scored in transition against Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. He beat Quick from just inside the blue line to give the Blues a 2-0 series lead.

Capitals 3, Rangers 1

Alex Ovechkin scored his franchise-record 31st playoff goal to start a three-goal second period that carried the Washington Capitals past the visiting New York Rangers in Game 1 of their firstround playoff series.

After Ovechkin tied the score, Marcus Johansson and Jason Chimera scored 46 seconds apart later in the second to make it 3-1.

Senators 4, Canadiens 2

Craig Anderson turned in a spectacular performance with 48 saves, and the Ottawa Senators beat the host Montreal Canadiens in the opener of their first-round playoff series.

Jakob Silfverberg and Marc Methot scored the tying and goahead goals early in the third period for the Senators, who were outshot 50-31.

Bruins’ Ference suspended

The NHL suspended Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference for one game for an illegal check to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski’s head during the first period of Game 1 of their firstround playoff series Wednesday.