The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Caps take opener on Wilson’s OT goal
Toronto native Tom Wilson scored his first NHL playoff goal 5:15 into overtime as the Washington Capitals survived a scare to beat the visiting Maple Leafs 3-2 Thursday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.
The top-seeded Capitals came back from a twogoal deficit to take the early lead in the series and at least momentarily stop the panic about a slip-up. Justin Williams scored twice in regulation, and Washington showed it could handle the adversity of falling behind.
Braden Holtby was up to the task in goal, stopping 35 of the 37 shots he faced. Toronto counterpart Frederik Andersen was arguably the best player on the ice with 41 saves before being beaten on the winner.
Mitch Marner and Jake Gardiner scored in the first period for Toronto, back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Game 2 is Saturday night in Washington.
The Maple Leafs lost when leading by multiple goals again after doing so an NHLhigh eight times during the regular season.
Showing no fear of the playoff stage or their opponent, the Maple Leafs took the play right to the Capitals in the first few shifts. Strong Note: Check today’s ePaper for late results. work by James van Riemsdyk following his own shot and centering the puck off the post to Marner gave the Maple Leafs the lead just 1:35 in to stun the Presidents’ Trophy winners and the crowd.
Uncharacteristic turnovers and blunders by the Capitals compounded the situation as fans yelled for them to “wake up.” Instead of waking up, Washington fell behind 2-0.
Predators 1, (at) Blackhawks 0: Pekka Rinne made 29 saves and Viktor Arvidsson scored in the first period for Nashville.
Rinne’s second career postseason shutout sent Nashville to just its second playoff win in Chicago in seven tries. The Predators did not have a 1-0 victory during the regular season.
Game 2 is Saturday night at the United Center.
Corey Crawford had 19 saves for Chicago, which got center Artem Anisimov back from a leg injury that sidelined him for the last part of the season but struggled to find many good looks against a sound defensive performance by Nashville.
The Blackhawks, who won the Central Division this year with the most points in the Western Conference, are going for their fourth Stanley Cup championship in the past eight seasons.
Etc.: Kicked off the bus by the Florida Panthers in November, Gerard Gallant is packing his bags for Las Vegas to take over as the first coach of the NHL expansion Golden Knights.
Gallant was unceremoniously fired by the Panthers following a 3-2 loss at Carolina. Gallant’s luggage was removed from the team bus outside the arena and he eventually had to take a taxi while the Panthers left him behind to continue their road trip to Chicago.