Through one period, the Tampa Bay Lightning had avoided the President’s Trophy curse that had hurt so many other teams in the past. Tampa Bay raced out to a 3-0 first period lead against Columbus in the opening game of their three-game playoff series, but then it all fell apart. Columbus scored the next four goals to shock one of the best regular season teams ever, and the Lightning are now in a 1-0 hole. That wasn’t the only game though, as four other playoff series started last night.
Waking up this morning. 🙌
Now 🔙 to work to get ready for game 2. #Isles pic.twitter.com/moD7FCwzvp
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 11, 2019
The New York Islanders went up 1-0 on the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first round series, showing the value of home ice advantage. Although the Penguins were favored to win the series, they never led in Game 1, and now they are in a hole. Pittsburgh can’t feel too bad about the loss though, and if the Islanders continue to allow 44 shots in a game it’s hard to see them winning the series.
1️⃣ #WeAllBleedBlue pic.twitter.com/0xj3O6wYWB
— St. Louis Blues 🏆 (@StLouisBlues) April 11, 2019
St. Louis was another team favored to win its first round series despite not having home ice, and the Blues followed through with a win in Game 1 last night. Jordan Binnington was lights out in his playoff debut, and St. Louis looked sharp on defense in the victory.
A new postseason, but the same Dallas Stars. Great goaltending, shut-down defense and a stubborn penalty kill gives Dallas the series lead and home ice advantage now. #GoStars https://t.co/L69G4wTsEM
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 11, 2019
Nashville had the worst power play percentage in the regular season, and the Predators’ inability to convert with an extra man doomed them in a 3-2 loss to Dallas in Game 1. The Predators scored on just 12.9 percent of their power play opportunities in the regular season, and they went 0-4 last night against the Stars.
Joe Pavelski scoring with his … chin?pic.twitter.com/773h3b1Ywz
— SI NHL (@SI_NHL) April 11, 2019
Joe Pavelski showed how tough hockey players are by using his face to score the opening goal for the San Jose Sharks in their 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1. Pavelski didn’t even miss the rest of the game, putting on a protective shield in order to play the second and third period.
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