In Thursday’s NHL Eastern Conference playoff games, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-2, while the New York Rangers beat the New Jersey Devils 5-1.

* The New York Rangers came back from an early deficit to beat the New Jersey Devils 5-1 in Thursday’s Game 2 at the Prudential Center, and taking a 2-0 series lead. The Rangers scored three goals in the second, with Patrick Kane adding two assists, and Kaapo Kakko extending their lead in the third. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin finished with 22 saves, while Vitek Vanecek allowed five goals on 30 shots.  The series heads back to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 set for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

* The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-2 in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Thursday, evening the series 1-1.   The Leafs took an early 3-0 lead in the first period, with goals from Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander, and scored four more goals for the win. Tavares also recorded his first playoff hat trick, while Morgan Rielly recorded four assists, tying the franchise record for most in a playoff game by a defenseman.  Game 3 is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Tampa Bay.

The NHL Western Conference playoffs on Thursday saw the Colorado Avalanche defeat the Seattle Kraken 3-2, while the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2.

* Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round was held at Ball Arena on Thursday, with the Colorado Avalanche rallying against the Seattle Kraken after Devon Toews broke a tie in the third period, giving Colorado the 3-2 win. The series is now tied 1-1, with Game 3 set to take place in Seattle on Saturday at 10:00 p.m.

* In Game 2 of the first-round playoff series at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday night, the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2. Vegas forward Chandler Stephenson scoring the game-winning goal early in the third period, and Mark Stone added two late goals. The best-of-seven series is now tied 1-1 (after the Jets won the opener 5-1 on Tuesday night). Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre at 4:00 p.m.

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