Washington: Washington frustrated Philadelphia by killing all of their power plays, and beat the Flyers 2-0 on Thursday in the opening game of their NHL Eastern Conference first-round play-off series.

In the day’s other Eastern Conference opener, the New York Islanders edged Florida in a nine-goal encounter, while in the West, San Jose narrowly beat Los Angeles, and Dallas comfortably beat Minnesota.

Washington’s penalty kill went for 4 for 4 while goaltender Braden Holtby produced seven saves during the Flyers’ power plays, and 19 in all.

The Capitals did take their chance on the power play, with John Carlson scoring in the second period with a shot that deflected in off teammate Chris Vandevelde. Jay Beagle added a late goal.

The Flyers lost second-line centre Sean Couturier to an upper-body injury in the second period.

Game 2 is Saturday in Washington.

The Islanders downed Florida 5-4, with John Tavares contributing a goal and two assists, including one that set up Kyle Okposo’s go-ahead goal early in the third period.

Thomas Greiss survived a shaky beginning and made 42 saves for the Islanders in his first play-off start, and Brock Nelson, Frans Nielsen and Ryan Strome added goals for New York.

Home-ice advantage in the series now belongs to the Islanders, and they can take a 2-0 lead back to Barclays Center if they prevail when the series resumes in a quick turnaround Friday.

Reilly Smith had two goals, Jussi Jokinen had a goal and two assists and Teddy Purcell also scored for the Panthers. Roberto Luongo made 21 saves.

San Jose’s Joe Pavelski broke a tie with his second goal of the game early in the third period and the Sharks hung on to take an important 4-3 road win at Los Angeles.

Brent Burns and Tomas Hertl scored for the Sharks in their first postseason game since losing four straight to the Kings in 2014, completing a seven-game flop in the first round. Los Angeles rode the momentum then to its second Stanley Cup title, but both California rivals missed the play-offs last year.

San Jose’s Martyn Jones made 19 saves against his former Los Angeles teammates in his first career play-off start.

Trevor Lewis scored a short-handed goal and Jonathan Quick stopped 19 shots for the Kings.

Game 2 is Saturday at Staples Center.

Jake Muzzin and Jeff Carter also scored, but Los Angeles struggled to keep up for long stretches of the two-time champs’ return to the postseason.

Dallas’ Jamie Benn had a goal and two assists in the Stars’ 4-0 win against Minnesota.

Kari Lehtonen made 22 saves for his second career play-off shutout while Jason Spezza returned to the postseason with a nifty goal and added an assist.

Spezza was skating along the right side and initially faked a slap shot with just over 8 minutes left in the second period. After skating a few more feet to near the centre of the face off circle, he took a wrist shot and sent the puck in the upper right corner to make it 2-0.

Patrick Eaves and Radek Faksa also scored.

Game 2 is Saturday in Dallas.