Devils continue roll in playoff opener

The start of the Stanley Cup playoffs did nothing to slow down the New Jersey Devils or pick up the New York Rangers.

Patrik Elias scored two of New Jersey's team-record five power-play goals and the Devils earned their 12th straight victory by beating the visiting Rangers 6-1 on Saturday in the opener of the Eastern Conference series.

Scott Gomez, Brian Rafalski and Jamie Langenbrunner also had power-play goals.

New York lost its final five games of the regular season to allow the Devils to win the Atlantic Division on the last day.

The Rangers, playing their first postseason game since 1997, were hurt by a slew of penalties in the second and third periods. The Rangers took 13 penalties in all.

Stars fall apart

Seventh-seeded Colorado overcame an early 2-0 deficit to win Game 1 of the series 5-2.

Habs win in Carolina

Cristobal Huet made 43 saves, 12 players recorded points and Montreal made up for four lopsided losses to Carolina during the regular season with a 6-1 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series.

The Hurricanes earned the second seed in the conference with the best season in franchise history.

-- The Associated Press