NHL : Ducks buck Canucks on McDonald hat trick

Andy McDonald had his first career playoff hat trick and assisted on another goal as the Anaheim Ducks opened their first series against the Vancouver Canucks with a 5-1 victory on Wednesday night at Anaheim, Calif.

Teemu Selanne had a goal and assist during the outburst, and Chris Kunitz assisted on all three goals.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere finished with 26 saves for the Ducks.

The second game is Friday night in Anaheim before the best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series shifts to Vancouver for games Sunday and Tuesday.

Sabres 5, Rangers 2: At Buffalo, N.Y., Thomas Vanek scored twice, sparking a three-goal second period, and Ryan Miller stopped 32 shots in a win over New York in the Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series opener.

Jason Pominville and Ales Kotalik also scored for a Buffalo team that played much better after struggling to eliminate the New York Islanders in five games in the first round.

Game 2 of the best-of-7 series is Friday at Buffalo.

Off the ice

Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom has an eye injury that will sideline him for tonight’s‘ game in Detroit. Defenseman Brett Lebda also will miss Game 1 with a sore ankle and concussion. … Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival hurt his leg early in the second period against Buffalo and was knocked out of the opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.