Anaheim, California: The NHL play-offs began with three closely fought games on Wednesday, with Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Montreal Canadiens all winning by single-goal margins to take the early advantage in their best-of-seven first-round series.
Anaheim’s Danish goaltender Frederik Andersen made 32 saves in his play-off debut to help the Ducks hold on for a 4-3 win at home against Dallas, Pittsburgh also had a 4-3 home win, coming from behind to edge Columbus, while Montreal picked up a valuable road victory with a 5-4 overtime win at Tampa Bay.
Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and an assist, while Kyle Palmieri and Mathieu Perreault also scored in a dominant first period for the top-seeded Ducks.
Anaheim’s Matt Beleskey had a goal and an assist — before being injured in the third period — as the hosts took a 4-0 lead in the second period before Dallas belatedly got rolling in their first play-off game since 2008.
Captain Jamie Benn and Colton Sceviour had power-play goals, and Tyler Seguin scored with 6:07 left to trim the Ducks’ lead to one but Anaheim hung on with a handful of big saves from Andersen.
Pittsburgh’s Brandon Sutter scored the winner on a wrist shot from the left circle 8:18 into the third period, completing a Penguins rally for a 4-3 victory over Columbus.
