Stanley Cup Playoffs: Caps, Senators Take Series Openers; Blues Take 2-0 Series Lead On Kings; OT Goals Squares Series For Red Wings At 1-1

Four games were played on Thursday as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Washington:

Alex Ovechkin scored his 31st career playoff goal (power play) while Marcus Johansson and Jason Chimera each scored a goal 46 seconds apart as the Washington Capitals, with Braden Holtby stopping 35 of 36 shots, defeated the visiting New York Rangers 3-1 in the opening game of their conference quarterfinal series.

At Montreal:

Marc Methot scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the third period while Craig Anderson saved 48 of 50 shots as the Ottawa Senators came from behind after 40 minutes and  knocked off the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in game one of their first-round series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At St. Louis:

Barret Jackman scored his first playoff goal, the winning goal at 19:09 of the third period as the St. Louis Blues came from behind and upended the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 in game two of their conference quarterfinal series, enabling the Blues to lead the defending Stanley Cup champions two games to none.

At Anaheim, California:

Gustav Nyquist scored the winning goal 81 seconds into overtime as the Detroit Red Wings squared their opening-round series with the Anaheim Ducks following their 5-4 game-two win on the road.