UNDATED (AP) — Unlike Game 1 of their Stanley Cup second-round series, the Colorado Avalanche had to sweat out a win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Avs own a 2-0 series lead after Mikko Rantanen scored 2:07 into overtime to conclude a 3-2 win over the Knights. Philipp Grubauer had 39 saves in becoming the first Colorado/Quebec goaltender to pick up six straight postseason victories. He outdueled fellow Vezina Trophy finalist Marc-Andre Fleury, who turned back 22 shots.
Rantanen took a cross-ice pass from Nathan MacKinnon and sent a liner over the glove of Fleury. The goal came with Reilly Smith in the penalty box for slashing Rantanen.
Brandon Saad and Tyson Jost also scored to help the Avalanche begin a postseason with six straight wins for the first time since the 1980s.
Alec Martinez and Smith had goals for the Golden Knights, who will host Game 3 on Friday.
The Canadiens have opened their Stanley Cup second-round series with a 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. The Habs have won their last four games and were back in action two days after ousting top seed Toronto in the opening round.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Eric Staal scored 1:40 apart to give the Montreal Canadiens a 2-0 lead just 5:10 into the contest. Brendan Gallagher and Nick Suzuki also tallied to support Carey Price, who turned back 27 shots.
The victory was tempered by a scary late-game hit on Canadiens center Jake Evans. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher with 57 seconds left after being crushed by Jets center Mark Scheifele on an empty-net goal.
Kyle Connor, Derek Forbort and Adam Lowry scored for the Jets, who will host Game 2 on Friday.
