VANCOUVER, British Columbia: Defenseman Kris Russell scored with just under 30 seconds remaining in the third period, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night.

David Jones also scored for the Flames, who were down 1-0 entering the third period.

Bo Horvat opening the scoring for Vancouver midway in the second period. Jannik Hansen and Alexander Edler assisted on the play.

Vancouver hosts Game 2 on Friday night.

Islanders 4, Capitals 1: Center Brock Nelson, right winger Ryan Strome and left winger Josh Bailey all scored their first career playoff goals and goaltender Jaroslav Halak stopped 24 of 25 shots to lead the New York Islanders to a series-opening 4-1 road victory over the Washington Capitals.

Nelson added a late empty-netter for his second goal.

The Islanders, seeking their first playoff series victory since 1993, started in convincing fashion, outshooting the Capitals 27-25 and controlling the play for long stretches.

Winger Marcus Johansson scored the lone goal for the Capitals, who, like the Islanders, are returning to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

The Islanders’ speed was evident throughout and their precise passing did not allow the NHL’s biggest team to get their forechecking game on track.

Canadiens 4, Senators 3: Right winger Brian Flynn scored the game-winner and added two assists in his playoffs debut to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 home win over the Ottawa Senators in the opening game of their series.

Goaltender Carey Price stopped 30 shots for the Canadiens, while netminder Andrew Hammond made 35 saves for the Senators.

Centers Torrey Mitchell, Tomas Plekanec and Lars Eller also found the net for the Canadiens, who scored all of their goals in the second period.

Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban was ejected in the second period after he slashed right winger Mark Stone.

Subban received a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

Left winger Milan Michalek and centers Kyle Turris and Mika Zibanejad scored for Ottawa.

Blackhawks 4, Predators 3 (2OT): The Chicago Blackhaws recovered from a three-goal deficit to steal the opening game of their series against the Nashville Predators.

In a Western Conference showdown between teams who combined to lose their last 10 regular season games, defenseman Duncan Keith ended it for Chicago with a slapper at 7:49 of the second overtime.

Nashville, who ended the regular season with six straight defeats, led 3-0 after one period and got 38 saves from goalie Pekka Rinne, but it was not enough.

Making his return from a 21-game absence with a fractured left collarbone, Chicago right winger Patrick Kane set up two power-play goals in the second period to lead his team’s comeback.

Backup goalie Scott Darling stopped all 42 shots he faced in relief of Corey Crawford to earn the win for the Blackhawks, who dropped their final four regular season games.