What happened: The Vegas Golden Knights drew first blood in their playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks, posting a Game 1 victory broadcast on ESPN. The win gives Vegas an early 1-0 series lead and home-ice momentum heading into Game 2.

Why it matters: Vegas is leaning on the same aggressive penalty kill that powered their first-round series against the Utah Mammoth, where they led the league in shorthanded goals. Taking Game 1 is critical — historically, teams that win the series opener advance at a significantly higher clip, and the Golden Knights now control the pace of the matchup.

What to watch: Game 2 shifts focus to whether Anaheim can adjust to Vegas's PK pressure and steal a road game before the series moves. Watch for lineup tweaks and special-teams adjustments from the Ducks.