The New Jersey Devils faced a disappointing start in the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes, with a glaring lack of offensive presence leading to turnovers and injuries. Despite Jacob Markstrom's solid performance in goal, the team's inability to maintain possession and convert opportunities proved costly. The Devils will need to adjust their strategy and improve their puck management to remain competitive in the series.

In-game two, the key for the Devils will be better starts, especially in the first period, as they have struggled to come from behind throughout the season. Historical performance indicates they fare much better when leading or tied after two periods. Additionally, splitting star players Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt may create more scoring opportunities across the lineup. With significant injuries affecting their depth, including Luke Hughes, the Devils will need contributions from their supporting cast to mount a comeback.

The Colorado Avalanche have made an impressive start to their playoff series against the Dallas Stars, winning Game 1 with a decisive score of 5-1. Despite the score suggesting a blowout, the game was tightly contested, with the Avalanche managing to take control in the second period thanks to a few fortunate goals. There were concerns over the absences of key players for the Stars, which might affect their performance going forward.

Gabriel Landeskog, the team captain, was surprisingly held out of Game 1 despite participating in morning skates and showing readiness. The Avalanche coaching staff is being cautious, potentially holding him for a more favorable home game environment. The presence of Landeskog could significantly impact the team’s morale and performance levels.

As the series progresses, the Avalanche will need to maintain their composure and not become overconfident. They have key areas to improve upon, particularly their power play, which could prove pivotal against a scrappy Dallas team that is known for its resilience.

The Winnipeg Jets began their playoff series with a solid performance against the St. Louis Blues, showcasing their resilience and depth. After a rocky start, the Jets found their rhythm and demonstrated their ability to recover from early setbacks. The key to their success has been the evolution of their lineup, particularly the emergence of players like Morgan Barron in the bottom six and the effectiveness of the CSI line. Despite injuries, the Jets have shown a suffocating style of play that puts immense pressure on opponents. The Blues, while having a decent defensive structure, may struggle to keep pace with the Jets’ skill and depth.

Special teams will be a crucial factor in this series. While Winnipeg has been effective at five-on-five, their penalty kill requires improvement to counter the Blues' power play. Managing the puck responsibly will also be vital to minimize scoring opportunities for St. Louis's top players. The Jets' ability to maintain discipline and enhance their play on both ends of the ice will dictate their chances of advancing. This year, the Jets aim to break free from past playoff disappointments by dominating five-on-five play, a significant area of concern in previous seasons.

The Colorado Avalanche secured a commanding 5-1 victory against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of their playoff series, showcasing their offensive depth despite the absence of key players for the Stars. Mackenzie Blackwood made a strong playoff debut in goal for the Avalanche, though the Stars struggled with injuries, limiting their competitiveness. Gabriel Landeskog's potential return adds an emotional boost for the Avalanche, who await the next game in Dallas with cautious optimism.

In other playoff action, the New Jersey Devils faced a tough loss against the Carolina Hurricanes, struggling with turnovers and injuries, notably impacting their performance. The Devils need to tighten their defense and improve their offensive strategies, especially in the first period, to regain momentum in the series. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets displayed resilience, coming back multiple times against the St. Louis Blues in a closely contested matchup, proving their depth and adaptability.

The New York Rangers face challenging decisions during the offseason, particularly surrounding Mika Zibanejad. Despite speculation about a potential trade, Zibanejad's comments suggest that he intends to stay, citing an investment in the team and pride in his contract. Chris Drury, the Rangers' GM, must navigate Zibanejad's full no-trade clause carefully while considering team dynamics. If Zibanejad remains, the Rangers hope he can regain form, especially in a potential partnership with JT Miller, which previously yielded positive results. Additionally, Sam Carrick has been recognized with the Players' Player Award, highlighting his value as a teammate during a tumultuous season.