vs. , Game 1Rangers 2, Penguins 1 | Rangers lead series 1-0 | Game 2 SaturdayGame 1 in a nutshell: One minute into the game it looked like it was going to be the rout everybody expected coming into Jorge Alfaro Jersey this series when the Rangers pounced on a bad rebound and some sloppy defensive coverage to take an early 1-0 lead. The Penguins, for the most part, hung in with a patchwork defense and were able to keep it close. But it was the same story as it was last postseason when they simply could not beat or break through the Rangers' defense that just completely sucked the life out of the game offensively.Turning point: The Rangers' goal in the first minute was obviously huge, but it was still only one goal. What the Penguins could not allow was for New York to get a second one ... and then they did just that when blasted a shot from the point to capitalize on one of Pittsburgh's four first period penalties. A two goal lead for Henrik Lundqvist in the playoffs is a tough obstacle to overcome.Three things we learned1. It's hard to generate offense when four of your five best defensemen are sitting out with injuries. The Penguins know this all too well, and with , , Olli Maatta and all injured they just can't generate anything offensively from their defense, which carries over to the forwards. When they were at their best this season it was with an active, mobile and puck-moving defense that could skate the puck out of danger and jump into the play offensively. Not only is it a patchwork group that has little experience playing together, there just isn't enough talent. 2. The Rangers speed up front is going to cause a ton of problems for the Penguins. We mentioned this in the five things to know before the series began, but it was on display at timeson Thursday, especially on the first goal when won a race to the rebound and easily deposited in for the first goal of the game.3.After a bad rebound on the first shot of the game that turned into a goal, at least gave the Penguins a chance to hang around, stopping 36 of the 38 shots he faced on the net. Early on this game had a chance to really get ugly with the way the Rangers Will Middlebrooks Jersey were attacking and controlling the puck in the offensive zone.Video of the game: This is why can be a liability for the Penguins. In the third period, with your team trailing, you just can not take this penalty. Even though the Rangers didn't score, that was still two minutes the Penguins were unable to generate any sort of attack because they were shorthanded. -- vs. ,Game 1Red Wings 3, Lightning 2 | Red Wings lead series 1-0 | Game 2 SaturdayGame 1 in a nutshell: Despite pouring 46 shots on in his postseason debut, the Lightning could only get two goals past him and neither came at even strength. On the other end, only faced 14 shots, but three got behind him including a pair from and a squeaker after a nice move from . The Lightning carried the play, but the Red Wings took the win.Turning point: Luke Glendenings spinning backhanded goal gave the Red Wings a two-goal lead for the first time in the game. The Red Wings gave the Lightning four power plays in the third period, but Glendening scored while killing the second. That was a back-breaker for the Lightning who had to chase the game the rest of the third period instead of playing for the tie. While Glendenings move was solid, the low shot should have been one Bishop stopped.Three things we learned1. Petr Mrazek was ready for his first taste of playoff hockey. The somewhat surprising choice to get the nod in Game 1 made Mike Babcock look like a genius. The 23-year-old made 44 saves, including 18 in the third period alone and gave the Red Wings every opportunity to win a game they had been getting worked over in at times. It was a masterful performance from Mrazek, who would not be rattled. 2. Pavel Datsyuk could be a major factor in this series. The 36-year-old veteran looked healthy, which was definitely a concern coming into the postseason. He scored on each of his two shots in the game and played over 18 minutes. In a game where the Lightning didnt give up much, Datsyuk was left alone twice and more times than not, hell make you pay in that situation.3. Ben Bishop looked a little shaky in his postseason debut. Though he put together a Vezina-finalist season last year, Bishop mi sed the playoffs with an injury. So Thursday night was his debut. He gave up three goals on 14 shots, the last of which appeared at least stoppable.Video of the game: As much as I enjoyed Glendenings goal, this play by on a jumping screen really stood out. With the Lightning trailing 3-1 in the third period, Nikita Nestorov got an open look from the center point. Stamkos was right in front creating the screen. After the defenseman let Jim Bunning Jersey the shot go, Stamkos leapt in front of Mrazek and literally over the puck as it soared under him for the goal. Thats an incredible show of athleticism from the Lightning captain. -- vs. , Game 1Wild 4, Blues 2 | Wild lead series 1-0 | Game 2 SaturdayGame 1 in a nutshell: From the drop of the puck, the Minnesota Wild looked to have an edge. That showed up when scored 2:47 into the game and continued through a second period in which Minnesota was dominant, out-shooting St. Louis 14-4. By the time the Blues established their game, it was too late, as a pair of third-period goals were not enough to change their fate.Turning point: Though the Wild actually benefited from scoring twice on an empty net, it appeared that they really took the game over in the second period. Holding a 14-4 edge on shots and a 25-12 advantage on shot attempts, Minnesota was simply all over St. Louis in the middle period. That was really when they proved they could not only skate with the higher-seeded Blues, but out-skate them.Three things we learned1. The Wilds speed is definitely going to be a factor in this series. With as physically as the St. Louis Blues can play, theyre going to put a hurtin on some Wild forwards. What Minnesota does to combat that, however, is to force the Blues to work for every hit and do a heck of a lot of chasing. If the Wild can better establish their transition game and create more off the rush, theyve J. T. Realmuto Jersey got a great chance to win this series. A lot of guys on this roster can fly. 2. gave the Blues a chance. After getting burned by Jason Zucker on the games first goal, Allen settled into the game and played solidly. Two of the Wilds goals came with Allen pulled in favor of an extra attacker, so the Blues netminder made 25 stops on 27 shots. His performance in the second period kept the game from getting away from the Blues.3. The young players in this series are really fun. Four of the games six goals were scored by players aged 23 or younger. Jason Zucker was buzzing all night and scored a heck of a goal on a bullet one-timer for the Wild. got a nice tip-in goal and did well to put pre sure on the defense. There were other youngsters that proved to be a factor in the game, too. Its a great chance for the hockey world to get to know these guys a bit better.Video of the game: The early goal from Jason Zucker came off of a tremendous play that showed off his speed. Zucker put a shot on Jake Allen, collected his own rebound and knew exactly what he was going to do the second he got the puck. The result was a very quick wraparound to set the tone for the game early. Short side? Nah. Wraparound? Yeahhh. lead 1-0. NHL (@NHL) -- vs. , Game 1Ducks 4, Jets 2 | Ducks lead series 1-0 | Game 2 SaturdayGame 1 in a nutshell: In a physical battle between two of the biggest teams in the NHL, the Anaheim Ducks rode the wave of third-period succe s theyve enjoyed all season. Despite trailing 2-1 heading into the third period, the Ducks rallied with three goals two off the stick of and one from captain to knock down the Jets in Game 1.Turning point: The third period started. Like they did multiple times throughout the regular season, the Ducks dug deep in the third period and Mike Schmidt Jersey erased the deficit from the opening 40 minutes. Corey Perrys power-play goal 1:09 into the period set the table for the Ducks comeback. Winnipeg had no answer early and Anaheim pulled away late.Three things we learned1. Corey Perry will take over the game when he darn well feels like it. One of the games best offensive players certainly knows how to flip a switch. He has a very quick stick, as evidenced by his two goals in the third period. In close to the net, Perry had little time to get his stick on pucks to put them in the net and each time, he found a way. That control in the hard areas of the ice is a big part of his succe s. Oh, yeah, and he had two a sists for a four-point night.2. As we noted in our 5 things to know about Ducks vs. Jets before this matchup, this series is going to hurt. The Ducks and Jets were credited with a total of 83 hits. That stat can get recorded a little aggre sively, but theres no doubt that the bodies were flying in Game 1. These are two of the biggest teams in the entire league and they played like it. 3. The Jets are dangerous in transition. Winnipeg scored twice on rush plays Thursday night, which is exactly what theyve been capable of all season. They have speed throughout the lineup and if those players can find the space in the offensive zone, theyre going to produce. Their speed could be a big key in a series that is going to be so physically taxing.GIF of the game: Corey Perrys reaction to give the Ducks a 3-2 lead was frightening.GIF: Terrifying. Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) Good luck sleeping tonight. --