Because of the goaltenders’ postseason struggles, the Washington Capitals traded Vitek Vanecek and didn’t qualify Ilya Samsonov.
The decision backfired since Washington’s new combo of Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren missed the playoffs while Vanecek helped the New Jersey Devils end their postseason drought. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Samsonov was 19-3-3 at home this season.
Both goalies struggled in their postseason debuts Tuesday night. Vanecek’s Devils trailed the Rangers 2-0 after one period. After allowing six goals in two periods, Samsonov was withdrawn.
JETS: Morgan Barron returns after skate to face, 75-plus stitches.
I’ll improve. Samsonov stated, “I played like (expletive) today.” Vanecek has a 4.17 postseason GAA.
Each game: NHL Schedules and Results
Every 2023 playoff team played one game. Here are the early winners and losers:
WINNERS
Seattle Kraken
Second-year Kraken defeated defending champion Colorado Avalanche in playoff debut. They built on their 40-point first-season improvement. Philipp Grubauer beat his previous team with 34 saves. Waiver-claimed Eeli Tolvanen scored the franchise’s first playoff goal.
Kings’ Anze Kopitar
The Kings captain had four points on Monday as L.A. overcame 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to win the Edmonton Oilers in overtime. He grabbed a loose puck in the crease with 16.7 seconds left in regulation to tie the game. Without Kevin Fiala, the Kings need him to shine.
Lightning Tampa
Try a switch. After three losing streaks of four games or longer, the Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs 7-3. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Corey Perry, and Ross Colton scored alongside stars Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Only Victor Hedman, Erik Cernak, and Michael Eyssimont were hurt in the game.
Bruins depth
The Bruins win the Florida Panthers 3-1 without captain Patrice Bergeron in Game 1. Boston’s 65 regular-season wins and 135 points make it the favorite.
LOSERS
Dallas Stars
Some predicted the Stars would reach the Stanley Cup Final in the wide-open Western Conference playoffs. Matt Dumba’s hit on Joe Pavelski damages them. Pavelski is questionable after hitting his head on the ice.
“He seems OK, but we left him at home,” coach Peter DeBoer said Tuesday. The Stars are deeper this season, but losing Pavelski and his leadership and on-ice skills would make it difficult to overcome a 1-0 disadvantage after falling in double OT.
Panthers goalie Alex Lyon
He was crucial in getting the Panthers into the playoffs and made some important stops in Game 1, but he also allowed a couple fluke goals. He misplayed Brad Marchand’s shot on the first one, which went in off his glove. Jake DeBrusk scored on his leg pad on the second. The Panthers need a goaltender to beat the Bruins.
Unruly squads
In their loss, the Oilers were shorthanded six times and incurred penalties at the worst time, with two minutes left in regulation and during overtime. The Kings scored on both to win. Michael Bunting’s late headshot against Cernak will be heard on Wednesday.
Jack Eichel, Golden Knights
In his long-awaited playoff debut, a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the veteran had no points, a minus-3 rating, and only a third of his faceoffs.