Canadiens open with upset

Tomas Plekanec scored 13:19 into overtime to give the visiting Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 victory over the top-seeded Washington Capitals on Thursday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoff series.

Plekanec scored on a drive from high in the slot that beat goalie Jose Theodore to the stick side.

Two-time reigning league MVP Alex Ovechkin did not have a shot on goal.

Game 2 is Saturday night in Washington.

Sabres 2, Bruins 1: Ryan Miller made 38 saves to lead Buffalo to a playoff-opening victory over visiting Boston.

Craig Rivet scored the go-ahead goal with a slap shot from the right circle with 6 minutes left in the second period, and Thomas Vanek also scored in Buffalo's first playoff game in three years.

Game 2 of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference quarterfinal is Saturday in Buffalo.

Canucks 3, Kings 2, OT: Mikael Samuelsson scored his second goal 8:52 into overtime to lift host Vancouver past Los Angeles in Game 1 of the first-round Western Conference series.

Game 2 is Saturday at Vancouver.