NHL Scores, 2012 Playoffs: Flyers Comeback Vs. Penguins Just Part Of Entertaining Opening Night

The first night of the 2012 NHL playoffs did not disappoint, nor did the hype surrounding the opening game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Philadelphia Flyers 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 3 (OT)
Game 1, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals - Flyers lead, 1-0

The Penguins jumped out to a quick 3-0 goal lead in the first period. Sidney Crosby opened the scoring just 3:43 into the game before Tyler Kennedy and Pascal Dupuis added goals before the end of the period. But the Flyers fought back on two goals from Danny Briere and a game-tying power play tally by Brayden Schenn.

Jakub Voracek found a loose puck in front of Marc-Andre Fleury 2:23 into overtime, which by the score listed above you can assume went in the net. The Flyers grabbed the 1-0 series edge and a strong fist-pump-led charge into Friday's Game 2. See our StoryStream for full coverage of this series, and get fan reaction at Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey and Penguins blog Pensburgh.

Nashville Predators 3, Detroit Red Wings 2
Game 1, Western Conference Quarterfinals - Predators lead, 1-0

Gabriel Bourque scored two goals in his first career playoff game while Paul Gaustad also scored as the Predators held off the Red Wings. Tomas Holmstrom made a 3-1 game interesting with a power play goal at the 17:33 mark of the third period, but ultimately the Red Wings couldn't pull themselves all the way back into the game.

The big story in this one was Shea Weber's hit on Henrik Zetterberg, though. And by hit, we mean that time at the final buzzer when Weber grabbed Zetterberg's head and slammed it into the glass. Twice. See our StoryStream for full coverage of the series, and get fan reaction at Preds blog On the Forecheck and Wings blog Winging It In Motown.

Los Angeles Kings 4, Vancouver Canucks 2
Game 1, Western Conference Quarterfinals - Kings lead, 1-0

Alex Burrows opened the scoring for the Canucks, but the 1-0 lead would be the only lead Vancouver would hold in Game 1. Mike Richards and Willie Mitchell gave Los Angeles the lead, and yeah, the Canucks came back to tie it one more time, but Vancouver never regained control of the game. Dustin Penner ultimately scored the game-winning goal on an odd pinball series of passes from Richards and Jeff Carter.

Richards was dominant in this one, a factor in all four Kings' goals including Dustin Brown's empty-netter in the final minute of the third period. See our StoryStream for full coverage of the series, and get fan reaction at Kings blog Jewels From The Crown and Canucks blog Nucks Misconduct.