Stealing the moon

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.

The GIST: The Play-In Tournament is done and dusted, and the first round Game 1s are already in the books, but superstar injuries are taking center stage as the high-stakes hoopla continues.

Milwaukee Bucks dominate as Giannis watches: No Antetokounmpo (pronounced ah-det-oh-KOON-boh), no problem — the Eastern Conference (EC) No. 3 seed was just fine without him yesterday, dominating the No. 6 Indiana Pacers 109–94 while he nursed a calf strain. It’s still TBD if Antetokounmpo suits up for Game 2 tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Embiid injury scare in Philadelphia 76ers loss: Joel Embiid (pronounced jo-ELL em-BEAD) tweaked his surgically repaired left knee in his EC No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers’ 111–104 loss to the No. 2 NY Knicks on Saturday. Though the reigning MVP returned to the game and finished with 29 points, the Philly faithful are holding their breath ahead of tonight’s 7:30 p.m. ET Game 2.

Jimmy Butler–less Miami Heat scorched by Boston Celtics: With their feisty superstar sidelined, No. 8 Miami looked ice cold in yesterday’s 114–94 loss to the No. 1 Celtics. And the Heat aren’t just missing Butler’s offense — Miami needs to find a way to slow down Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, who tallied his first postseason triple-double in the dub.

Zion Williamson out as New Orleans Pelicans fall: Bad luck abounds for Williamson, whose hamstring injury kept him in street clothes for yesterday’s 94–92 loss to the Western Conference (WC) No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder. The No. 8 Pels’ postseason hopes hinge on one left hammy, but the notoriously pesky injury is expected to keep oft-injured Williamson sidelined until at least May 1st.

LA Clippers prevail without Kawhi Leonard: The Clips were without two-time Finals MVP Leonard because of a knee injury, but that didn’t stop the WC No. 4 from dismantling the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks 109–97 yesterday.

• The oldest team in the NBA let their experience shine with seasoned veterans James Harden and Paul George netting 28 and 22 points, respectively. Still got it.

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• The Original Organic Lager is a Reds fan's favorite, a balanced, malty brew that’s available at BMO Field and at your local beer store. As if home matches weren’t already a total vibe.