At first Netane Muti Jersey the ice seemedtilted four-time All-Star goalie Henrik Lundqvist in one net and Jeff Zatkoff, a third-stringerwith 29 NHL starts to his name andgiven the surprise nod Wednesday, in the other.It didn’t take long for the tables to turn.MORE: | Lundqvist made an early exit from Game 1 of Rangers-Penguins Eastern Conference series when his own defenseman, Marc Staal, inadvertently poked his stick through the facemask of the Rangers goalie, hitting hisright eye. The Penguins, forced to start Zatkoff because of injuries to Marc-Andre Fluery and Matt Murray, took advantage. Pittsburgh scoredthree goals off Lundvist’s backup, Antti Raanta, whilecruising to a 5-2 victory.GENTILLE: More than anyone else, Pittsburgh hasZatkoff’s35-save performance to thankfor the early series lead. He was stellar inhis first career playoff start,especially in the first two periods as he stonewalled the Rangers’ advances and thePens built leads of 2-0 and 4-1 in the final frame.Not bad for a 28-year-old career backup.MORE:”He’s one of those glue guys in the locker room that you always want around,” Penguins Andrew Beck Jersey forward Nick Bonino said of Zatkoff. “You always like having him on the road, in the dre sing room, out to dinner. He’s a great guy and he’s a great goalie too. It’s great that the hockey world sees that (Wednesday).”Three stars3. Nikita Kucherov, F, Lightning:Kucherov was the offensive catalyst for Tampa Bay in its 3-2 win over Detroit. He opened the scoring for this year’s playoffs with a one-timer laser beam in the first period.After the Lightning lagged at the start of the second period, Kucherov’ssecond goal tied the game 2-2. He finished with three points as he a sistedon Alex Killorn’sgo-ahead goal in the third period.2. Jacob Tamme Jersey Brian Elliott, G,Blues:The defending champion Blackhawks nearly doubled the Blues in shots (35-18), but Javonte Williams Jersey it didn’t matter. Elliott stopped all 35 to give St. Louis a 1-0 overtime victory,the first playoff shutout of his career.1. PatricHornqvist, F, Penguins:With Evgeni Malkin not yet ready to return, the Pens needed Hornqvistto step up on offense. He did that in a big way, scoring a hat trick with an a sist for good measure. He’s the first Penguins player with a playoff hat trick since Malkin did it in 2014.HighlightWednesday’s game wasthe fifth consecutive Blackhawks playoff opener decided in overtime, though this time Chicago came out on the losing end. David Backes’ bank-shot goal off the stick of defensemanTrevor van Riemsdyk wasthe OT winner.Thursday’s game to watchFlyers at Capitals, 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN (Game 1): The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Capitals racked up more regular-season wins (56) than any team in the past decade, but will it finally translate to enduring postseason succe s? Their opponent, the Flyers, are the ultimatehit-or-mi s case, but if they’re on, they fit the mold of a scrappy underdog that could give the favorites serious Jacob Bobenmoyer Jersey fits.