Highlights of Wednesday's National Hockey League games

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Islanders 4, Capitals 1

Center Brock Nelson, right winger Ryan Strome and left winger Josh Bailey all scored their first career playoff goals and goaltender Jaroslav Halak stopped 24 of 25 shots to lead the New York Islanders to a series-opening 4-1 road victory over the Washington Capitals.

Nelson added a late empty-netter for his second goal.

The Islanders, seeking their first playoff series victory since 1993, started in convincing fashion, outshooting the Capitals 27-25 and controlling the play for long stretches.

Winger Marcus Johansson scored the lone goal for the Capitals, who, like the Islanders, are returning to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

The Islanders' speed was evident throughout and their precise passing did not allow the NHL's biggest team to get their forechecking game on track.

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Canadiens 4, Senators 3

Right winger Brian Flynn scored the game-winner and added two assists in his playoffs debut to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 home win over the Ottawa Senators in the opening game of their series.

Goaltender Carey Price stopped 30 shots for the Canadiens, while netminder Andrew Hammond made 35 saves for the Senators.

Centers Torrey Mitchell, Tomas Plekanec and Lars Eller also found the net for the Canadiens, who scored all of their goals in the second period.

Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban received a five-minute major penalty in the second period after he slashed right winger Mark Stone.

Left winger Milan Michalek and centers Kyle Turris and Mika Zibanejad scored for Ottawa. (Compiled by Andrew Both; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)