NHL Playoffs First Round Recap: Carolina and Boston Secure Game 1 Wins

Carolina opened the scoring in the second minute, Yevgenij Kuznetsov taking advantage of the power play with a shot from the left circle after a pass from Nečas. It wasn’t long until Kyle MacLean made an opportunity from the penalty spot and the next goal did not come until the beginning of the third period. First, however, Islanders defender Noah Dobson threw a good chance away, which hit the bar from the center of the circle and Frederik Andersen caught it lying off the goal post into the open goal.

The tie was broken in the 44th minute by Stefan Noesen, who sent an uncertain shot into the goal. Carolina’s victory was sealed by Nečas in the Islanders’ goalless goalie. The Czech attacker won the puck near the goal post in the red line area and fired into the empty net.

Boston took the lead from the third minute when Johnny Beecher scored from a conversion. The home team jumped to 4:0 at halftime. Jake DeBrusk accounted for all three goals in the second period, scoring twice on power plays and assisting on one goal.

Jeremy Swayman was the first star of the game, stopping 35 shots. It was crossed just in the 42nd minute from close range by Kämpf, who ended Toronto’s combination into an open goal. Boston scored the first point in the opening game of the series with the visitors playing without a goalkeeper. Pastrnak caught a pass at the offensive blue line and Trent Frederic set up the final score.