2023 Playoffs game thread: Game 1 in the books

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Game 1 is in the books for all eight Stanley Cup Playoff series and there were some surprises over the past few days. What did you like? What surprised you the most? Did any of your predictions change?

April 19, 2023 playoff games

New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes 4 p.m. PT – The Hurricanes lead the series 1-0, thanks to the 2-1 win on Monday. The Hurricanes scored made the Islanders pay on the power play, scoring both of the team’s goals with the man advantage. Antti Raanta will be back in net for Carolina.

Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins 4:30 p.m. PT – The Bruins will be without Patrice Bergeron again, this time because of an injury. Bergeron missed Game 1 of the series due to illness, but the Bruins still won the game 3-1. For the Panthers, Alex Lyon is expected to be back in net.

Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars 6:30 p.m. PT – Joe Pavelski is not expected to play in today’s game after taking a vicious hit from Matt Dumba.

The league saw no need for supplementary discipline after the hit knocked Pavelski out of the game, which means Dumba will play. The Wild currently lead the series 1-0 after Ryan Hartman scored the game winner in double overtime.

Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers 7:00 p.m. PT – The Kings will look to take a commanding lead in the series with the Oilers. Alex Iafallo scored a power play goal in overtime on Monday night to complete Los Angeles’ comeback. The only question is, how long can LA keep Connor McDavid off the scoreboard?

April 20, 2023 playoff games

Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs 4:00 p.m. PT – It’s not a good thing when your team is booed off the ice after one period of play in the playoffs. That’s what happened to the Maple Leafs, who were down by three goals after just 20 minutes of play.

Tampa Bay went into playoff mode and the Maple Leafs could not keep up. Lightning won 7-3. What’s more, Toronto’s Michael Bunting didn’t do himself or his team any favors after this play:

Bunting will have a hearing with the league for an illegal check to the head/interference against Erik Cernak. Cernak is not expected to play in Game 2.

New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils 4:30 p.m. PT – A tough loss for the Devils, the one team in the playoffs Sharks fans have a reason to root for. The Rangers beat the Devils 5-1, spreading out the scoring over all three periods. Meanwhile, the Devils didn’t get on the board until the third period. New Jersey will need to solve Igor Shesterkin immediately if the team wants a shot at winning this series.

Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche 6:30 p.m. PT – Congrats to the Kraken, who won its first playoff game ever and over the defending Stanley Cup Champions to boot. The Kraken beat the Avalanche 3-1 last night.  

Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights 7:00 p.m. PT – As a Sharks fan, it’s hard not to smile just a little at the Jets’ 5-1 win over the Golden Knights. Jack Eichel didn’t make it onto the scoreboard in his first ever postseason appearance. In fact, he was a minus-3 for the night.