NHL playoff scores 2017: The Capitals avoid near widespread panic thanks to Tom Wilson

We’re currently living in a world where Tanner Glass and Tom Wilson have game-winning playoff goals.

No, you haven’t stepped into the Twilight Zone. It’s real, and it happened, sorry Toronto fans. Frederik Andersen’s incredible performance ended with a Wilson overtime goal that has Capitals fans breathing a bit easier over the Washington DC metropolitan area.

There’s a lot to unpack from the Capitals’ 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs, though, besides this goal. First, that it’s incredibly easy to instill the fear of god into the Capitals. Just score a goal 95 seconds into the game like Mitch Marner did, then add another eight minutes later and you’ll get a stunned Capitals team after 20 minutes.

Washington did battle back, however, and cut the lead little by little. After all, there were still 50 minutes plus of hockey to be played. By the time the game hit the halfway point, the Capitals had seemingly shaken off their ghosts and took control.

Much like Edmonton last night, the Maple Leafs’ inexperience started to show as the team broke down defensively on some key Capitals plays. Even so, Toronto’s young core didn’t look out of place next to Washington’s veterans. In fact, the Maple Leafs rookies were their best players — as they have been all season.

And hey, at least the Game 1 nerves are out of the way for both teams. The jury’s still out on the fanbases, however.

Capitals 3, Maple Leafs 2 (OT)
Predators 1, Blackhawks 0
Ducks 3, Flames 2

1. Andersen had his Jake Allen moment

In the moments leading up to Wilson’s overtime goal, the story and the spotlight were all on Andersen. The Maple Leafs were fading, but their goaltender was miraculously keeping them in it.

In total, Andersen stopped 41 shots through 65 minutes and change. Sure, the Wilson goal was one that could have been stopped, but that doesn’t diminish the game he had by any means. It’s something the Maple Leafs can build off of after the loss, knowing that their goaltender is locked in for the series.

2. Also on his game? Pekka Rinne

The Predators needed one goal in the early stages of their game against the Blackhawks, as Rinne did the rest for them in net. The Nashville netminder shut out the Blackhawks 1-0, despite Chicago coming on strong in the final 40 minutes of the game.

It also helped that the Predators played good defense in front of him, and that they blocked 26 Blackhawks shots. Team work makes the dream work!

3. Calgary got burned by the Ducks’ power play

The Flames’ woes at the Honda Center continued on Thursday, as the Ducks took a 1-0 series lead thanks to a 3-2 win. Calgary allowed the Ducks to score twice on the power play, despite starting the game off strong.

Viktor Arvidsson had the game-winner for the Predators in the seventh minute of the game. The goal is just his second career postseason tally. With the way his season has gone, expect more from this 24-year-old by the end of the playoffs.

And if you think you’ve seen this move from the Blackhawks’ defense before, don’t worry we have too.