As was the case when the clubs met two years ago in the postseason, the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators didn't waste much time ratcheting up the vitriol in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Atlantic Division-champion Montreal dealt the first significant blow in more ways than one with a 4-3 victory in the series opener, and looks to extend the advantage when it hosts Ottawa in Game 2 on Friday.

The New York Islanders look to seize a 2-0 lead in a playoff series for the first time in 32 years when they visit the Washington Capitals on Friday for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup. Brock Nelson scored twice to send New York to a 4-1 triumph over its Metropolitan Division rival on Wednesday, giving the club its first series lead since it won Game 1 versus Ottawa in 2003.

There's a new Darling on the sports scene in the Windy City, but the Chicago Blackhawks will revert to an old and familiar formula when they visit the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. The Blackhawks erased a three-goal deficit en route to a 4-3 victory in double overtime on Wednesday as rookie Scott Darling stopped all 42 shots he faced after replacing an ineffective Corey Crawford.

After stealing home-ice advantage away from Vancouver in the opener, the Calgary Flames look to bring a 2-0 series lead back to Alberta when they visit the Canucks for Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round matchup on Friday. Calgary pulled out the victory in Game 1 with another of its patented third-period comebacks, as David Jones forged a tie eight minutes into the session and defenseman Kris Russell scored with 30 seconds remaining for the 2-1 triumph.