Capitals, Stars, Islanders, and Sharks win Their Playoff Openers

There were four first round series openers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 14th. Two games had predictable results and two games matched opponents of fairly equal ability.

The Philadelphia Flyers clawed and scratched their way to the playoffs, just making it as the regular season came to an end. Their reward was an opening series against the Washington Capitals, who just happened to have the best record in the NHL this season. Philadelphia made a game of it; goalie Steve Mason had 29 saves and allowed just two goals, but the Capitals defense shut down the Flyers in a 2-0 win. Philadelphia had just four shots on goal in each of the last two periods.

The Dallas Stars, the top seed in the Western Conference this season, hosted the Minnesota Wild in the opener of their series. Minnesota is another team that narrowly made the playoffs, despite losing its last five regular season games. The Wilds’ stay in the playoffs is probably going to be brief, as top goal scorer (25) Zach Parise is injured and may not play at all the entire series. Thomas Vanek, who had 18 goals and 23 assists, is also out for the series. The Stars shut out the Wild 4-0.

In another Western Conference matchup, the San Jose Sharks traveled down I-5 (OK, they flew) to Los Angeles to take on the Kings. L.A. finished four points ahead of its Pacific Division rival, but lost the regular season series with the Sharks 3-2. San Jose took this game 4-3 behind two goals by Joe Pavelski.

Back in the East, the Florida Panthers, winners of the Atlantic Division with 103 points (46-26-9), hosted the New York Islanders. The Islanders were fourth in the Metropolitan Division, but had a record similar to Florida (45-27-10. 100 points). The Islanders pulled this one out 5-4, behind a 42 save performance by goalie Thomas Greiss.