Tomas Holmstrom scored 4:55 into the third period after Kris Draper tied it 37 seconds into the frame, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators in the opening game of their first-round series.
Robert Lang gave the Red Wings a two-goal cushion with 1:45 left Wednesday night.
In Nashville's first playoff game in its six-season history, Adam Hall scored 16 seconds in the game -- the quickest Detroit has been scored against in its playoff history.
Tomas Vokoun made 18 saves during the first two periods before giving up two early goals in the third and finishing with 26 saves.
Barry Trotz, the only coach the Predators have had, was pleased his biggest concern was not a factor.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Saturday in Detroit.
Bruins 3, Canadiens 0
In Boston, Andrew Raycroft posted a shutout in his playoff debut, Boston's mediocre power play came alive to beat Montreal in the opener of their 30th postseason series. Raycroft, one of the NHL's top rookies, stopped 31 shots.
Canucks 5, Flames 3
In Vancouver, British Columbia, Martin Rucinsky scored the first of Vancouver's four power-play goals in a playoff-opening victory over Calgary.
Sami Salo, Henrik Sedin and Brendan Morrison also took advantage of Calgary penalties and Mattias Ohlund added a goal during a delayed call to lift Vancouver to its seventh straight win, dating to the regular season.
Dan Cloutier made 26 saves, Markus Naslund had three assists, and Morrison set up two goals for the Canucks.
Chris Simon and Oleg Saprykin both had power-play goals, and Krzystof Oliwa also scored for the Flames, making their first playoff appearance in eight years.
Avalanche 3, Stars 1
In Denver, David Aebischer stopped 37 shots in his first playoff start, helping Colorado begin the playoffs by beating Dallas.
Peter Forsberg, Alex Tanguay and Joe Sakic scored to put the Avalanche up 3-0.



