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Brett Howden scored two goals, including the game-winner early in the third period, and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Tomas Hertl had a goal and an assist, Adin Hill made 18 saves and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored for Vegas, which improved to 9-2 in playoff openers at T-Mobile Arena.

The best-of-seven matchup continues Tuesday with Game 2 in Las Vegas, before moving to Saint Paul, Minn., for two games.

Matt Boldy scored both of the Wild’s goals and Kirill Kaprizov assisted on both. Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 of 26 shots.

Hurricanes 4, Devils 1

Logan Stankoven scored twice in the second period as Carolina earned a victory over New Jersey in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series in Raleigh, N.C.

Jalen Chatfield scored early in the first period for the Hurricanes, who won for the 32nd time at home this season. Andrei Svechnikov added an empty-net goal and Taylor Hall collected two assists. Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen finished with 23 saves.

Nico Hischier scored on a 4-on-4 late in the second for the Devils while goalie Jacob Markstrom, who was frequently under siege, made 41 saves.

Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2

Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists for Toronto in a home win against Ottawa in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

John Tavares and William Nylander each had a goal and an assist, Auston Matthews had two assists and Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves for the Maple Leafs, the No. 2 seed from the Eastern Conference.

Drake Batherson and Ridly Greig scored and Linus Ullmark made 18 saves for the Senators, the first wild-card team from the East.

–Field Level Media