Winnipeg Jets (52-24-6, second in the Central Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (50-25-7, third in the Central Division)Denver; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Avalanche -163, Jets +138; over/under is 6.5NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Avalanche lead series 2-1BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche host the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Friday for the seventh time this season. The Avalanche won the last meeting 6-2.Colorado

LOS ANGELES — Evander Kane’s teammates believe he’s tailor-made for the playoffs, and so does the man himself. "The drama of it all," Kane said about the post-season. "It just brings the best out of me." Kane had a goal, an assist and a fight — known as a “Gordie Howe hat trick” — and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 6-1 on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. The 32-year-old forward had an up-and-down regular season and is returning from a sports hern

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to cause Los Angeles nightmares. As if that isn't enough, the rest of the Oilers' lineup is beginning to add to the Kings' frustrations. McDavid and Draisaitl had three-point nights on Friday, but Zach Hyman continued his hot streak at the start of the postseason with two goals as the Oilers rode the momentum of three first-period scores to a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in their

DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin scored on the power play during a five-goal, third-period outburst and the Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 6-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 on Friday night. Alexandar Georgiev stopped 22 shots to give the Avalanche a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series. Game 4 is Sunday in the Mile High City. Trailing 2-1 in the final period, Colorado, the highest-scoring team in the league, began pouring it on. The Avalanche

DENVER (AP) — Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon quickly made his way down the tunnel with his hand bleeding after a fight at the end of the game against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. Dillon suffered what appeared to be a deep cut following a 6-2 loss in Game 3 of their first-round series. The Jets had no update on Dillon after the game or if the injury might have happened because of a skate blade. “He’s still being examined,” Jets coach Rick Bowness said. Asked if there was a lot

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vincent Trocheck had a power-play goal and a short-handed assist, Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the New York Rangers moved one win away from advancing by beating the Washington Capitals 3-1 in Game 3 Friday night, taking a 3-0 lead in their first-round NHL playoff series. The Rangers scored goals at even-strength 5 on 5, up 5 on 4 and down 4 on 5 in a special teams showcase from the Presidents’ Trophy winners who finished atop the NHL regular season in part because of their

DENVER — Back-to-back power-play goals early in the third period turned the game for the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. By the time the host side was done, they scored three more times, set the physical tone and made a statement with an emphatic 6-2 rout of the Winnipeg Jets to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series. "We obviously let their pretty potent power play have some opportunities and they capitalized," said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. Winnipeg led 2-1 a

Friday's Scoreboard NHL Playoffs First Round Vancouver 2 Nashville 1 (Vancouver leads best-of-seven series 2-1) Edmonton 6 Los Angeles 1 (Edmonton leads best-of-seven series 2-1) Colorado 6 Winnipeg 2 (Colorado leads best-of-seven series 2-1) N.Y. Rangers 3 Washington 1 (New York leads best-of-seven series 3-0) --- AHL Playoffs Division Semifinals Rochester 3 Syracuse 2 (Rochester leads best-of-five series 1-0) First Round Calgary 4 Tucson 3 (Calgary wins best-of-three series 2-0) Toronto 4 Bell

NASHVILLE — Six seasons into his NHL career, Casey DeSmith finally has his first playoff win. The 32-year-old goalie made 29 saves Friday, backstopping his Vancouver Canucks to a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. The win gave Vancouver a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven matchup. “It couldn’t come at a better time," DeSmith said. "I was really disappointed with how I played the other night. I thought the team played great the other night and didn

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Backup goalie Casey DeSmith finally has his first postseason victory, and he helped the Vancouver Canucks take back home-ice advantage in the process. DeSmith made 29 saves as the Canucks held off the Nashville Predators 2-1 Friday night for a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series to open the NHL playoffs. “It couldn’t come at a better time," DeSmith said of his first playoff victory. "I was really disappointed with how I played the other night. I thought the team played