Capitals beat Maple Leafs, Predators defeat Blackhawks

Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) scores against Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) as William Nylander (29) and center Auston Matthews (34) watch during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL Stanley Cup first round playoff series in Washington, Thursday, April 13, 2017.

A 3-2 overtime loss in game 1, with Toronto native and fourth line rogue Tom Wilson supplying the victor at 5:15 after he cut off a Martin Marincin clearing attempt. After letting that game slip away, it's very likely the Capitals are going to play a better and more relaxed game here while really taking it to the Maple Leafs.

Playing some of their worst hockey of the season, the Capitals fell behind by two goals early but came back to force overtime.

The Flames saw a 2-1 second period lead quickly dissipate and turn into a 3-2 loss at the hands, or should I say the webbed feet, of the Ducks thanks to late second-period goals from Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg. Forward Alex Ovechkin, the great goal-scorer, likes to line up in what is called an offset, behind the puck. "Maybe we (were) a little bit nervous, maybe kind of feel the pressure a little bit".

Management hasn't said what Zaitsev's injury is, as is common for the Leafs, but from watching the play and how he got up, it looks like something to do with his head. "So we're not just happy to be here".

Playoff star and 2014 Conn Smythe Trophy victor Justin Williams scored twice in regulation and Braden Holtby stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced to give Wilson the opportunity to be the hero.

Let me look here - it looks alright, but it looks like Williams had a good night though. Matthews, the first overall pick of the 2016 draft, has become the keystone of the Maple Leafs offense, leading the team in both goals and total points.

Williams got the Caps on track with a pair of goals to tie things against the Maple Leafs. "But he gave us an opportunity, so I don't think you can argue with that". Their dominance carried over to overtime with unlikely hero Tom Wilson scoring the first playoff goal of his career. "It was just a one shot difference". "That's what leaders do". Before the game, former Capitals defenceman Connor Carrick was asked about Washington's playoff failures, and he said, without bravado, "You'd have to ask them how they sleep at night, how they handle those things and those issues". FILE - In this January 26, 2017, file photo, Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews skates during an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, in Philadelphia.

"You've lived this moment in your brain when you're a young kid in the backyard or whatever when you're 8, 9, 10 years old", Wilson said. "I just went to the net, and fortunately it popped there". Other Toronto scratches included D Alexey Marchenko, LW Josh Leivo and C Eric Fehr, who practiced for the first time since breaking a finger last month. "The building was unbelievable, the fans are second-to-none here and, obviously, a pretty good feeling putting that in the net".

Wilson didn't want to make too big of a deal of what the goal could mean for himself or for his team.

The Maple Leafs have lost the last five straight playoff games that have gone into overtime.

"It's a tough way to start the playoffs but they came back and took it to us", Gardiner said.

"From our own team, I know the players (well), and I know the situation good".

Though nine players were making their National Hockey League post-season debuts, the Leafs didn't look like a team lacking in comfort on playoff terrain in the early going.

Wilson was warmer on the topic of his Leafs memories, cheering for the last Toronto team that was anything close to a Cup contender.