The Columbus Blue Jackets gained plenty of confidence from a shocking comeback victory to open the Eastern Conference first-round series and look to match that effort when they visit the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 2 on Friday. The Blue Jackets trailed by three goals through 29 minutes, but scored twice on special teams in the third period for a 4-3 victory Wednesday as they try to win their first playoff series in franchise history.

Hosting a Game 1 of a postseason series for the first time in 31 years, the New York Islanders made the wait more than worthwhile for their fans with a pulsating overtime victory. New York has a chance to take a 2-0 edge in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series when they host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

There were plenty of questions on how rookie Jordan Binnington would handle the Stanley Cup playoffs, but the St. Louis Blues goaltender limited the Winnipeg Jets to one goal while helping his team steal Wednesday's opening game of the series on the road. The Blues enter Game 2 on Friday with a chance to come home up 2-0 in the first-round series thanks in part to Binnington, who made 24 saves and kept his team in it until St. Louis scored twice in the game’s final 16 minutes.

The San Jose Sharks doubled down on their offensive-minded defensemen by signing two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson in the offseason, and the club was rewarded with two-point performances from three of its blue-liners in its playoff opener. The Sharks bid to continue their home dominance on Friday when they host the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series.