Carter Verhaeghe scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period as the host Florida Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Sunday in the opener of their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference playoff series at Sunrise, Fla.

Matt Rempe and Artemi Panarin scored 33 seconds apart in a three-goal second period as the New York Rangers opened the postseason with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Washington Capitals in an Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday.

Kyle Connor had two goals and an assist for the Winnipeg Jets in their 7-6 win against the visiting Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series on Sunday evening.

Pius Suter and Dakota Joshua scored 12 seconds apart just before the midpoint of the third period as the host Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Sunday in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.