NHL Playoffs: Rangers beat Hurricanes, Stars clinch series against Golden Knights

Stanley Cup Playoffs logo displayed at the NBC Experience Store window in midtown Manhattan

The New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Mika Zibanejad had two goals and an assist, Artemi Panarin scored, Vincent Trocheck had a goal and an assist, and Chris Kreider had two assists as the Rangers took a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will take place on Tuesday night.

***
The Dallas Stars clinched their first-round playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights with a 2-1 win in Game 7 on Sunday night.

Wyatt Johnston opened the scoring for Dallas while Radek Faksa picked up the game-winner early in the third period to help the Stars advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Dallas Stars will face the Colorado Avalanche in the second round.

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com