The NHL playoffs got underway Saturday with two games in a TNT doubleheader.
The No. 1 overall seeded Winnipeg Jets hosted the St. Louis Blues in the early game, followed by the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Dallas Stars in the second game.
The Jets won the opener 5-3 when Kyle Connor broke a tie with 1:36 left. He was set up by Mark Scheifele and each had a goal and two assists.
The question going into the game was how Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck would fare after getting rocked in the past two postseasons. The Blues took a 3-2 lead in the second period on a Jordan Kyrou goal, but that was all against Hellebuyck, who stopped Kyrou on a breakaway afterward.
Alex Iafallo tied the game in their third period and the Blues were limited to two shots in the period.
In Saturday’s late game, the Avalanche cruised to a 5-1 win over the Stars. This represents an eighth consecutive loss for Dallas, which was missing injured leading goal scorer Jason Robertson and No. 1 defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who has been out since February but skated with the team during the morning.
Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and had an assist to lead Colorado, which also got goals from Charlie Coyle, Atturi Lehkonen and Devon Toews.
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who last played in 2022 because of a serious knee injury, took part in the team’s morning skate but didn’t dress for Game 1.
What time is Jets vs. Blues?
Game 1 of the NHL playoff series between the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues is at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 19.
How to watch Jets vs. Blues: Time, TV, streaming info for Game 1
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Canada Life Centre (Winnipeg)
TV: TNT, truTV
Stream: Max, Sling
Jets vs. Blues USA TODAY predictions
Jason Anderson: Jets in six
Mike Brehm: Jets in five
Jace Evans: Blues in six
What time is Stars vs. Avalanche?
Game 1 of the NHL playoff series between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche is at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 19.
How to watch Avalanche vs. Stars: Time, TV, streaming info for Game 1
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
TV: TNT, truTV
Stream: Max, Sling
Stars vs. Avalanche USA TODAY predictions
Jason Anderson: Avalanche in six
Mike Brehm: Avalanche in five
Jace Evans: Avalanche in seven