NHL Now Breaks Down Monday's Playoff Fireworks

Monday's first-round action delivered the chaos we've come to expect from playoff hockey, with underdogs stealing home-ice advantages and stars rising to the moment. Teams like the Avalanche lean on timely goaltending while young guns in Montreal pull off overtime magic against battle-tested Lightning. These early swings set the tone for series that could redefine contenders, and front offices are already jotting notes on who's built for the long haul.