How Canada’s NHL playoff teams are faring after the first weekend of games

The GIST: And they’re off! With the NHL Playoffs officially underway, here’s what you need to know about Canada’s teams as things continue to heat up on the ice.

Winnipeg Jets: The goals were flying in last night’s Game 1, and the Jets prevailed with a 7–6 win over their Central Division rivals, the Colorado Avalanche, highlighted by a gritty two-goal effort from captain Adam Lowry. Winnipeg now has a chance to take a commanding series lead in tomorrow’s 9:30 p.m. ET Game 2.

Vancouver Canucks: The Pacific Division champs’ 4–2 Game 1 win over the Nashville Predators last night was certainly worth the four-year wait. The Canucks scored three goals in the third period to send the fans home happy and hopefully there’ll be even more of that during Game 2 tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Center Auston Matthews and the Buds have seen this film before. They couldn’t get anything going against their forever nemesis, the Boston Bruins, in Saturday’s lopsided 5–1 Game 1 loss. Some reinforcements would be clutch ahead of tonight’s 7 p.m. ET Game 2 puck drop as they try to even the series before it shifts to The Six.

Edmonton Oilers: Reigning Hart Trophy (MVP) winner Connor McDavid and the Oilers face a familiar divisional foe in the LA Kings, beginning tonight at 10 p.m. ET. McDavid and Co. have eliminated the Monarchs the previous two seasons, an encouraging sign for the Stanley Cup–contending squad.