Rangers vs. Penguins: Game 1 Live Score, Highlights for 2016 NHL Playoffs

Pittsburgh 5, New York 2 (Pittsburgh leads series 1-0) 

Patric Hornqvist and the Pittsburgh Penguins couldn't have asked for a better start to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Hornqvist netted a hat trick in Pittsburgh's Game 1 5-2 win over the New York Rangers at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday. 

After struggling for most of the first period, Pittsburgh received a boost from Hornqvist, who stuck a shot in between the legs of Henrik Lundqvist. 

New York's starting netminder left the contest after the first period. Lundqvist took a stick to the eye near the end of the first period and did not return. 

The Penguins tacked on another late goal in the second period by way of Sidney Crosby, who found the back of the net in transition. 

After Derek Stepan opened New York's account in the third period, Pittsburgh countered with a shorthanded goal from Tom Kuhnhackl. 

Hornqvist and Stepan traded goals during the middle of the third before Hornqvist finished the game off with an empty net goal. 

Pittsburgh goalie Jeff Zatkoff made 35 saves in place of regular starter Marc-Andre Fleury, while Crosby added a pair of assists to his second period goal. 

The two teams will meet in Pittsburgh for Game 2 on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.