Stanley Cup Playoffs: Habs and Canucks Take Series Openers In OT; Sabres Hold Off Bruins

Three more best-of-seven series in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs commenced Thursday night.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Washington:

Tomas Plekanec scored the game winner at 13:19 of the first overtime period as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2 on the road in game one of their conference quarterfinal-round series.  Caps superstar Alex Ovechkin was held without a shot on goal in the game.

At Buffalo, New York:

Ryan Miller stopped 38 of 39 shots (including 23 in the second period) as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Boston Bruins 2-1 at home in their series opener.  Thomas Vanek and Craig Rivet each scored once for the Sabres.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Mikael Samuelson scored two goals, one of them, the game winner at 8:52 of the first overtime period as the Vancouver Canucks downed the visiting Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in game one of their conference quarterfinal series.