The Dallas Stars watched as a 2-0 lead evaporated before their eyes Monday.The club seemingly squandered an opportunity to bring the Minnesota Wild to the brink of elimination, instead watching as the Wild rallied with four straight goals to take a 5-3 victory in one of the worst performances coach Lindy Ruff has seen in some time."That's probably as bad as I've seen us play in maybe five weeks," Ruff said, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.The Stars conceded five goals after allowing just one in the previous two games. It was also the first time in 14 games that the Stars had given five goals in a game.The team still owns a 2-1 series lead, but Ruff understands that one poor performance can quickly snowball."You look at some of the one-on-one battles we lost, you lose enough of those, you're gonna lose the big battle too," said Ruff.The Stars will look to get things back on track when they continue the series Wednesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Less than five minutes into Game 3, the Minnesota Wild faced two separate 2-0 deficits.The scenario unfolded after the Dallas Stars - who won the first two games of the series on home ice - jumped out to an early lead in Game 3 thanks to goals off the stick of Patrick Sharp.It would have been very easy, then, to allow doubt to creep in, as admitted by winger Jason Pominville.

Amid a disastrous performance from their hometown team, Philadelphia Flyers' fans showered the ice late in the game with commemorative wristbands in an effort to showcase their frustrations.Related: Simmonds, Ovechkin beg Flyers' fans to stop throwing braceletsWhile players and coaches alike pleaded for the fans to stop, Flyers grinder Ryan White had no problem with the display:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Alex Ovechkin scored twice, Braden Holtby had 31 saves and the Washington Capitals moved one game closer to a sweep in their first-round playoff series with a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.The Capitals lead a series 3-0 for the first time in franchise history. Game 4 is Wednesday night in Philadelphia.Ovechkin snapped a tie game with his 38th postseason goal and Holtby made the lead stand with his third straight sensational effort in the series. The Capitals scored five power-play goals, including four in the third period.Related: Flyers honor Ed Snider with emotional tribute before Game 3The Flyers lost in their first home game since founder Ed Snider's death last week. Michael Raffl scored 57 seconds into the game and sent a crowd already rocking after an emotional pregame tribute into a frenzy.But passion alone wasn't enough to fuel the Flyers.Philadelphia fans showed the wrong kind of spirit late in the game when they tossed wristbands used as part of a pregame lights show on the ice as Washington turned this one into a rout.Related: Simmonds, Ovechkin plead with Flyers fans to stop throwing braceletsFlyers public address announcer Lou Nolan urged fans to ''show some class'' during the first wave of band tossing. He later told fans the Flyers would be hit with a penalty if they kept throwing the objects on the ice. Sure enough, the wristbands kept coming, and the Flyers were hit with a bench minor for delay of game. Nolan said, ''way to go,'' and the fans cheered as if they were proud of the penalty.The Flyers dedicated their postseason run to Snider, who died last week after a two-year battle with cancer.The Flyers hanged a banner outside the arena with Snider's picture and the caption ''A Flyer Forever.'' His silhouette was inside the Flyers logo for the customary playoff T-shirt giveaway, and some fans left flowers and cards at a makeshift memorial next to the team flag.''EMS'' - initials for Edward Malcolm Snider - were painted on the ice behind each net.Lauren Hart, the team's longtime anthem singer, sang ''God Bless America'' with Snider's name and ''67'' on the back of her team jersey. The Flyers' first season was 1967-68. Hart's eyes watered and her hands were shaking throughout her performance.Raffl knocked in the first shot of the game off Brandon Manning's attempt from the point and a packed arena went wild.The Flyers had motivation, home ice and a bit of history on their side - Washington had been 0-7 in Game 3s of best-of-seven playoff series when leading 2-0.But this season's Capitals had the best record in the NHL and thoroughly outplayed the Flyers in the first two games. Once the crowd and the Flyers settled down, the Capitals got going and looked every bit as dominant as they had all season.Marcus Johansson tied the game at 1-all in the first, beating a beleaguered Steve Mason for his first career postseason goal. Mason was back in net following his Game 2 gaffe that has been replayed on an endless loop in Philly - Jason Chimera's 101-foot tip-in on a play that would have been icing had it not gone on net.Mason had a pair of easy goals scored against him that hushed the Philly crowd.Ovechkin bounced over the boards and snapped a long-distance wrist shot from above the circle past Mason. That gave Ovechkin 38 goals and 34 assists to match Dale Hunter for first on Washington's career playoff points list with 72.Related: Ovechkin claims 1st place on Capitals all-time playoff scoring listMason was befuddled again in the third. Justin Williams' shot off the boards settled near Mason, who pawed at the puck and it trickled away. Evgeny Kuznetsov pounced and pounded in the goal for a 3-1 lead on just 18 shots.John Carlson, Ovechkin and Jay Beagle made it 6-1 with power-play goals in the third. The Capitals have eight in the series.The Flyers are 0 for 13 in the series.Claude Giroux, who led the Flyers with 67 points, has none this series.Notes: Capitals D Brooks Orpik left in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Ryan White hit Orpik into the boards and he went down. Orpik needed help walking to the locker room. ... Washington had never led a series 3-0 in 35 best-of-seven playoff series.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Things turned ugly in Philadelphia during Game 3.On a night where the Flyers and their fans paid tribute to late owner Ed Snider, some in the crowd expressed frustration over a slew of penalties called against the home team by throwing commemorative wristbands onto the ice, prompting this announcement:

Alex Ovechkin owns another Washington Capitals record.With an assist on John Carlson's third period goal Monday - his second point of the game - Ovechkin took over top spot on Washington's all-time playoff scoring list, passing Dale Hunter.

If Steve Mason didn't have bad luck, he would have no luck at all.Related: Watch: Ovechkin beats Mason with another far-out shotThe Philadelphia Flyers netminder was victim of another bad bounce in the third period after a dump-in by Justin Williams ricocheted off a stanchion, off him, and on to the stick of Evgeny Kuznetsov.Kuznetsov would made a quick move before potting his first of the playoffs, while adding to the growing list of questionable goals against Mason.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals could be without Brooks Orpik for the foreseeable future.The veteran defenseman had to be helped off the ice Monday after being crunched into the glass by Ryan White of the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.The early prognosis didn't appear positive, according to NBC analyst Pierre McGuire.

The Philadelphia Flyers paid tribute to late founder Ed Snider prior to Monday's Game 3 against the Washington Capitals.Related: Fans receive Ed Snider-inspired shirts ahead of Game 3Before a moment of silence, the touching video was shown above center ice, highlighted by a quote from captain Claude Giroux that read, "He is the Philadelphia Flyers," followed by Snider himself saying, "I am the luckiest man alive."Snider passed away April 11 at age 83 after a battle with cancer.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of this season's great stories almost didn't happen.Twenty minutes prior to the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, soon-to-be MVP John Scott was across the street, asleep in his hotel room."I almost missed the game," Scott confessed to Tim Graham of The Buffalo News. "I wasn't feeling good, so I took a nap."This year's event featured a three-on-three tournament, with Scott's Pacific Division squad to appear in the second game. Thus, he thought he had some time to rest and get his energy back up.A call from a league official woke him, and off he went in a flash."I didn't realize all the teams warm up at the same time," said Scott. "I would have gone there really early and hung out and experienced it and got some autographs."I didn't even tape my stick. I didn't tie my skates that well. I just jumped right on the ice."Scott, of course, scored a pair of goals in his team's first game, and captained the Pacific to a tournament win, earning himself MVP honors and a new car.All's well that ends well, but this literally would have been a case of "you snooze, you lose." Except maybe for the NHL.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite only one goal in the first two games of his first-round playoff series, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is finding plenty of ways to leave his mark against the Philadelphia Flyers.Ovechkin has been a wrecking ball, totaling 11 hits through the two games, with his biggest collision knocking Flyers forward Sean Couturier out of the series.With high aspirations of a deep playoff run, Ovechkin hasn't found his way to the score sheet as often as usual, but he's doing what it takes to win a series, something he knows falls on his shoulders as team captain."I think it's a time when you have to not just score goals and do some offensive stuff, but you have to set the tone in different ways," Ovechkin told Chuck Gormley of CSN Mid-Atlantic. "Physical game, smart play in the neutral zone, defensive zone, it doesn't matter which area.""It's part of my game and I have to lead the way in that category and the boys are going to follow me."Washington looks to gain a 3-0 stranglehold over the Flyers on Monday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fans in attendance for Game 3 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on Monday will take home a memorable keepsake.Related: Flyers place Ed Snider's initials behind each netThe Flyers will be handing out shirts with the team's logo made from the silhouette of former owner Ed Snider, who died exactly one week ago after a battle with cancer.

Down 2-1 in their first-round playoff series versus the New York Islanders, Florida Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant isn't nervous.After losing the lead and ultimately falling in overtime in Game 3, Gallant is confident the Panthers can claw back into a series tie."I know it's the playoffs but I thought we've played three good games in this series," Gallant told Mike Morreale of NHL.com. "This series could easily be 2-1 in our favor, but they got some breaks. I thought we had a great Game 1, and the teams were pretty evenly matched in Games 2 and 3.""I believe this team will bounce back because we've done it all year," Gallant added.The Panthers' limited postseason experience was the story heading into the series, but three games in, Gallant is pleased with the play of Florida's youngsters."It's just like another game for these young kids," Gallant said. "It's the playoffs so emotions will be amped up a little bit, but I think our kids have played outstanding and I've been really happy."Game 4 is set for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Brooklyn.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drew Doughty has no interest in trying to recreate history.Facing the prospect of a second 3-0 first-round series hole at the hands of the San Jose Jose in the past three years, the Los Angeles Kings defenseman is adamant about the need to get things going immediately."We have a lot more to give, and it has to start tonight," Doughty told reporters Monday in advance of Game 3."There's no way we can go down another game."Only four teams in NHL history - including the 2014 Kings - advanced after falling into a 3-0 series deficit, and Los Angeles has handed San Jose home ice advantage by dropping the first two games of the series at home.A loss tonight would put the Kings in a tough spot, or put the Sharks right where they want them, depending on how you look at it.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators announced Monday that Luke Richardson, the head coach of the AHL's Binghamton Senators, is leaving the organization to pursue a new opportunity.Richardson, who has both played and served as an assistant coach with Ottawa, leaves after general manager Pierre Dorion informed him he was not in consideration for the team's vacant head coaching position."We have a list of candidates with our credentials - and you're not on it," Richardson said he was told, according to TSN's Ian Mendes. The 47-year-old, who was in the mix for the Buffalo Sabres job eventually given to Dan Bylsma last year, is hoping he can find a similar opportunity soon."My aspirations are to be a head coach in the NHL and nothing else," Richardson said.The Ottawa native led Binghamton to a pair of postseason appearances, most recently in 2014. This season, his team finished last in the North Division with a 31-38-6 record.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not many predicted the Sharks would be up 2-0 on the Los Angeles Kings heading back to San Jose. But that's precisely the case - and it should come as a surprise to no one.Since the late-February trade deadline, the Sharks have been playing their best hockey, outshooting and outchancing their opponents by a large margin. They're also the NHL's undisputed best road team.Some may say the Kings have the Sharks right where they want them. In 2014, San Jose had a 3-0 stranglehold in its first-round series with Los Angeles. The Kings won four straight, outscoring the Sharks 18-5 en route to winning their second Stanley Cup in three seasons.These Sharks, though, appear different.In 2014, San Jose came out flying, outscoring L.A. 13-5 in the opening two games. Down 2-0 in Game 2 after the first period, the Sharks exploded for seven goals in about 26 minutes, winning 7-2. San Jose took full advantage of defensive coverage mistakes by its opponent."If we're not playing the way we're supposed to, having the coverage we're supposed to, then those types of things are going to happen," Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr said after his team's loss.Through two games of this season's series, Los Angeles isn't making the same mistakes that led to the blowouts of 2014. Games 1 and 2 were intense. They had a do-or-die feel to them, already, both one-goal games, and the Sharks are showing the kind of resilience that may give them the mental edge they previously lacked.In Game 1, the Sharks blew a 2-1 lead and fell behind 3-2 after Trevor Lewis scored shorthanded late in the second period. In the past, that would've been it for the Sharks. Instead, they responded, with Tomas Hertl scoring 30 seconds later to tie the game. Seventeen seconds into the third period, captain Joe Pavelski scored what would hold up as the game-winner.Game 2 played out a bit differently, with San Jose jumping out to an early lead. Despite relentless pressure from the Kings in the final half of the third period, the Sharks held on, with first-year playoff goalie Martin Jones standing tall.The Sharks have struggled in the playoffs since they entered the league in 1991, and are known for their spring collapses. This could be the year the narrative changes.Music City surpriseThe Predators have a 2-0 lead on the Anaheim Ducks as the series shifts to Nashville. It's the first time the Predators have won the opening two games of a playoff series in their history."We were just stupid out there," Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau said after Game 2. "The penalties we take sometimes are just so selfish and so dumb. Quite frankly, we don't deserve a break if we're just going to be yelling and being stupid all night long."In Game 2, Nashville had five power-play opportunities, compared to Anaheim's one. Shea Weber's goal with the man advantage held up as the winner.Jimmy's gettin' the hookAfter losing the opening two games in Tampa Bay, Detroit switched things up in a big way in Game 3, going with goaltender Peter Mrazek over Jimmy Howard. The Red Wings played a much tighter defensive game, allowing Mrazek to settle in, and he needed to make only 16 saves for the shutout.It was Mrazek’s third career playoff whitewash, and all three have come against the Lightning. This raises the question: Why didn't Mrazek start in goal in Game 1?Phil the netPhil Kessel has two goals and an assist in two playoff games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's up to 15 goals and 24 points in 24 career postseason games, showing he can be a valuable piece on a team ready to win.Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, it has other issues right now. After a solid debut playoff start from Jeff Zatkoff, he struggled in Game 2, allowing four goals on 28 shots. It'll be interesting to see how the Penguins adjust as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers had a surprising participant at Monday's practice as injured captain Ryan McDonagh skated in a full-contact jersey on the team's fourth pairing alongside recent call-up Raphael Diaz."It made everybody feel good to see him out there," said veteran defenseman Dan Boyle. McDonagh has been out of the lineup since breaking his hand during an April 4 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.Head coach Alain Vigneault said it's doubtful the blue-liner will play in Game 3 on Tuesday, but added that "stranger things have happened."He also admitted he has "some decisions to make" with his defense group prior to the game, according to Jim Cerny of BlueshirtsUnited.com. There's speculation that the 30-year-old Diaz may draw into the lineup in place of rookie Dylan McIlrath.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyler Seguin returned to the Dallas Stars' lineup Sunday and saw the ice for the first time since suffering a cut to his left Achilles tendon during a March 17 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but it's clear he isn't 100 percent.General manager Jim Nill told reporters Seguin remained in Texas to rehab "an injury related to the Achilles," according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News. Nill said the forward could be called to play in St. Paul if needed, and is considered day to day.Later Monday, TSN's Darren Dreger suggested it may be a separate injury altogether.

It appears the Minnesota Wild are preparing for a physical Game 3 against the Dallas Stars. The Wild have recalled Kurtis Gabriel from the AHL, and he skated on the team's fourth line with Chris Porter and Zac Dalpe at practice Monday."Hard-working kid, good on the walls, physical, likes to fight. The kind of player you like," lauded head coach John Torchetti, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.The 22-year-old would replace Jarret Stoll in the lineup, who has no points and a minus-1 rating through two games.Gabriel led the AHL's Iowa Wild with 137 penalty minutes in 66 games. He went without a point in the first three NHL games of his career earlier this season, but did receive a pair of fighting majors.Seven other players were recalled by Minnesota on Monday as Iowa's season came to an end.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Monday night will be an emotional one at Wells Fargo Center as the Philadelphia Flyers will honor late owner Ed Snider, who passed away last Monday, prior to Game 3 against the Washington Capitals.With Snider's initials - E.M.S. (born Edward Malcolm) - already featuring on a commemorative patch on the Flyers' playoff jerseys, it was revealed Monday the initials will also be marked behind each net.

The New York Rangers may have a new man on the blue line in Game 3.Veteran defenseman Raphael Diaz, who hasn't played in the NHL at all this season, was recalled from the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack and will be at the team's noon practice on Monday.The 30-year-old appeared in four games during the Rangers' Stanley Cup Final run in 2014. He doesn't have a point in 12 career postseason games.There is speculation Diaz could draw into the lineup Tuesday to replace rookie Dylan McIlrath, who played just nine minutes in Game 2. Injured blue-liners Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi aren't expected to be ready for Game 3, and are considered day to day.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After Sunday's loss put the Anaheim Ducks in a surprising 2-0 deficit in their first-round series with the Nashville Predators, head coach Bruce Boudreau pinned the poor effort on a lack of discipline.Related: Predators edge Ducks to take franchise's 1st 2-0 series lead​"We were just stupid out there," Boudreau said in a postgame press conference. "The penalties we take sometimes are just so selfish and so dumb."The Ducks gave up five power plays on the night, and a David Perron interference penalty late in the second period set up Shea Weber's eventual game-winner for the Predators.Meanwhile, Anaheim had just one power play on the night."It was disappointing to us," Boudreau said when asked about the team's frustration level. "That's why we didn't get any power plays - because we're doing stupid stuff and they're just smiling and having a good old time."The series now turns to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, where the Ducks lost a pair of games earlier this season. They now have a steep hill to climb if they hope to advance to Round 2.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Craig Smith had a goal and an assist, Pekka Rinne made 27 saves and the Nashville Predators confidently claimed their second straight road victory to open their first-round series, 3-2 over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2 on Sunday night.Shea Weber and Mattias Ekholm also scored as the Predators took a 2-0 playoff series lead for the first time in franchise history with another win over the Pacific Division champions.Smith got the tiebreaking goal midway through the second period on a slick setup from Forsberg, and Weber's booming shot put the Predators up 3-1 during a power play.Nate Thompson cut into the lead with 2:42 to play, but Nashville closed out just its second road playoff victory since 2012.Game 3 is Tuesday night in Nashville.Andrew Cogliano scored and John Gibson stopped 24 shots for the Ducks, who have lost four straight postseason games dating to last year's Western Conference finals.Related: Neal slyly tries to poke stick through Gibson's maskThe Ducks, who lost their regular-season home finale, hadn't lost three straight at Honda Center since mid-November. That was well before their phenomenal run from 29th place in the NHL standings to their fourth straight Pacific Division title.That run won't last much longer if Anaheim can't solve the Predators, who have won just two playoff series in their entire franchise history - the same number won by Anaheim last season.Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg each had two assists as Nashville took command of the series and silenced a boisterous arena in Game 2.The Predators matched Anaheim's physical play, while Forsberg led an opportunistic offense in front of Rinne. The imposing Finnish goalie has outplayed Gibson, the rookie who has lost four straight postseason starts since 2014.Neither team dominated the series opener, won 3-2 by the Predators. Anaheim gave up an opening-minute goal in Game 1, but held the Predators without a shot in the first five minutes of Game 2.After Nashville's power play came up empty twice, Cogliano put the Ducks ahead when he blocked a dump-in by Weber and sped past Barret Jackman to score on a breakaway.Ekholm tied it on a backhand late in the first after a setup from Colin Wilson. Smith then put the Predators ahead midway through the second on a pass from Forsberg after a sharp play along the boards by Josi.Thompson trimmed the lead with a backhand that deflected off Josi's leg.The Ducks lost defenseman Josh Manson to an upper-body injury at the first-period horn in Game 1, but veteran Kevin Bieksa returned to the lineup for his first playoff game with Anaheim. Bieksa hadn't played since March 24 due to an undisclosed injury.NOTES: Weber played his 47th postseason game for Nashville, matching David Legwand for the franchise record. ... James Neal stoked the Ducks' anger later in the second when he took an unpenalized whack at Gibson's mask with his stick long after the whistle blew. ... Weber played 27:36.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thomas Hickey, scorer of the first ever playoff overtime winner at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, led the New York Islanders to a 4-3 victory and 2-1 series lead over the Florida Panthers on Sunday night.After the game, however, he had to share the adulation.Islanders video coach Matt Bertani - who wired down to the bench to suggest the bench challenge Aaron Ekblad's goal - was apparently in the mix for the button-up varsity jacket awarded to the player-chosen MVP after each win.

Three games in four nights might be too much hockey.Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo spoke following his team's 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders in Game 3, and admitted he's 'exhausted' following the trio of games over four nights, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.The Panthers and Islanders opened their best-of-seven series with back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday, and after just one day of rest, they were back at it again Sunday night.Luongo has suited up in all three games for his club, but the 37-year-old has allowed 10 goals in that span. He now boasts a 3.13 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage, down from his 2.35 and .922 marks from the regular season.Luckily for Luongo and company, the teams will now get two days of rest before resuming the series Wednesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the Detroit Red Wings are thankful for the effort put forth by goaltender Petr Mrazek in Game 3, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper feels his play wasn't even warranted.Related: Mrazek perfect as Red Wings cut series deficitThe Lightning failed to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the series Sunday, instead getting shut out 2-0. The team's 16-shot effort left Cooper visibly bitter post game."I don't know if they needed a goaltender tonight to be honest," Cooper said, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "We just came in to play a hockey game."Will wasn't there."With the team's lead in the series now cut to just one game, Cooper understands his team missed out on a large opportunity."It went from us pinning them up against the wall, to now it's a series," Cooper said. "I'm not so sure there myself, their coach or anybody in this room was thinking this would be a sweep."Now it's a series."The Red Wings will have the chance to square the series up at 2-2 when the teams return to action on Tuesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DETROIT - Andreas Athanasiou and Henrik Zetterberg scored, Petr Mrazek made 16 saves and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Sunday night.Related: Watch: Red Wings' Athanasiou follows up brilliant near miss with opening goalDetroit cut its deficit to 2-1 in the first-round series. Game 4 is Tuesday night at Joe Louis Arena. Game 5, which is now necessary, will be at Tampa Bay.After brawling late in the last game, gloves were dropped, fists flew and there were piles of players on the ice when the Game 3 ended.Related: Watch: Boyle taunts Abdelkader with chicken danceBen Bishop made 28 saves for the Lightning, who had their top line of Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn shut down after the trio combined for six points in the first two games of the series.Kucherov scored first in each of the first two games, while Killorn and Johnson scored the tie-breaking goals in the third periods.Detroit's rookie coach, Jeff Blashill, benched goaltender Jimmy Howard for Game 3 and put Mrazek in net. The move seemed to work, though, as the Red Wings' swarming defense and backchecking forwards limited Tampa Bay's shots on net.At the other end, the Red Wings kept Bishop much busier.Athanasiou, a rookie, scored his first career playoff goal midway through the second period on a one-timer from the left circle that fluttered between Bishop's stick on the short side.Zetterberg, in his 13th postseason, crashed the net late in the second period and was credited with a goal that appeared to go off his left skate. The goal stood after a video review and a challenge from Lightning coach Jon Cooper.Blashill made another decision that paid off by putting Brendan Smith, who had been a healthy scratch since March 26, in the lineup instead of Kyle Quincey in the lineup. Smith used his right shoulder to put Cedric Paquette on his back early in the game. Smith, an agitating player, also drew another penalty late in the game.Tampa Bay went on the power play for the first time late in the second period and got a second opportunity to have an extra skater early in the third, and failed to take advantage of the chances to pull within a goal.Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, who said he plans to retire from the NHL after the playoffs, was called for tripping with 5:40 left and his teammates prevented Tampa Bay from making the most of the opportunity.The Lightning pulled Bishop to add an extra skater with 2:28 left, but had to put him back in next 11 seconds later because Braydon Coburn was called for interference for hitting Smith, who didn't have a stick as he tried to push him away from the net.Mrazek didn't have to make many saves, but he made enough to shut out the high-scoring Lightning. He had two shutouts against them last year, pushing the series to a Game 7 before being eliminated with a 2-0 loss.NOTES: Lightning F J.T. Brown missed the game with an upper-body injury. ... Detroit D Alexey Marchenko was knocked out of part of the game after getting checked into the glass by Vladislav Namestnikov and needing stitches to repair a cut on his forehead.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brian Boyle spared Justin Abdelkader when the horn sounded on Game 3, and he wasn't offered permission to whale on the Detroit Red Wings agitator. (Funny, Mike Blunden didn't appear to authorize the attack he endured in Game 2). But Boyle wasn't going to let Abdelkader get away without a little embarrassment.So, Boyle went to the well, busting out the one-legged chicken dance as he exited the ice following the shutout loss.Abdelkader, who had his hands taped (which would be illegal in a fight) as a result of the brawl in Game 2, told Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press that the coaching staff instructed him not to indulge Boyle.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Though their composition entered largely unchanged, Corey Crawford sees an entirely different opponent in the St. Louis Blues."Whatever happens in the season, whatever's happened in years before, they're not the same team," the Blackhawks netminder said after their 3-2 loss to the Blues on Sunday.And he's right. Because after every major decision went in their favor in a slim 3-2 victory in Game 2, the defending champs should be considered fortunate to be down 2-1 to a team that's won one postseason series over the last five tournament bids.But what is it, exactly, that's the difference for a team looking to shake its label as Western Conference doormats?So far, it's not an offense with six goals in three games. You wouldn't hang it on a total team defense allowing 37 shots per outing. And while Ken Hitchcock's mild reaction to Vladimir Tarasenko's series-altering wiped-out goal in Game 2 relayed confidence, his focus on the team totaling 70 hits ostensibly crosses off the possibility of a new, progressive style.Really, the only discernible difference so far has been the spectacular play of Brian Elliott, and his numbers through three games that tower over what Ryan Miller and Jake Allen were able to provide the previous two seasons.YearGoalieStartsSave Percentage2016Elliott30.9632015Allen60.9042014Miller60.897For what it's worth, Miller's forgettable save clip came in a six-game defeat to the Blackhawks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Blackhawks have lost just once in regulation when leading into the third period over the last two seasons.Regrettably, that failed conversion just happened in Game 3 of their first-round series against the St. Louis Blues.Patrik Berglund and Jaden Schwartz's goals scored a little more than eight minutes apart in the third period of Sunday's matinee sullied an incredible 70-0-4 run in games in which Chicago led after 40 minutes in the previous two seasons.Chicago's last blown lead came at another critical juncture - Game 2 of the 2014 Western Conference final versus the Los Angeles Kings.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hockey fans are in luck, as it appears the Stanley Cup Final has come early.The St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks are through just three games of the opening round, but the intensity of three one-goal contests has begun to mimic something much greater."This feels very much like a Final and it's the first round," Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Both teams are laying it out there."The Blues used a third-period rally Sunday to top the Blackhawks 3-2, something the head coach wasn't surprised to see from his club."We've come back so many times," Hitchcock said, according to The Athletic Chicago's Scott Powers. "It doesn't seem to be a problem with this group."Unfortunately for both clubs, the winner will still have to endure three more grueling series before they can lay claim to Lord Stanley. Game 4 of the thrilling quarterfinal matchup goes Tuesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

CHICAGO - Jaden Schwartz scored at 13:32 of the third period with Patrick Kane in the penalty box for high-sticking, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Sunday for a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.Related: Watch: Blues break down Blackhawks, scoring dagger with 1-touch sequencePatrik Berglund also scored in the third as St. Louis rallied for the win after a difficult 3-2 loss in Game 2 that included two key coach's challenges that went against the Blues. Brian Elliott made 44 saves, keeping St. Louis in the game during Chicago's strong second period.Kane, the NHL's leading scorer this season and one of the favorites for league MVP, got four minutes for a high stick on defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, and St. Louis made the most of the chance to go in front.Vladimir Tarasenko passed down low to David Backes, who sent it right to Schwartz in the slot. He beat Crawford low on the glove side for his third career playoff goal and a 3-2 lead with 6:38 left.The Blackhawks pulled Corey Crawford for an extra attacker with 1:10 remaining, but Elliott and the Blues held on. Game 4 is Tuesday night in Chicago.Brent Seabrook and Artem Anisimov scored for the Blackhawks, who dropped to 28-7 in home playoff games since the 2013 postseason. It was their first home playoff game since they hoisted the Stanley Cup at the United Center last June.Anisimov's fluttering shot past Elliott at 1:04 of the second put Chicago in front, and Crawford's stellar play helped preserve the 2-1 lead for a while.First, Crawford stuffed Carl Gunnarsson on a nice look in front. Then Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival had an ugly turnover and Crawford made an outstanding glove save on Jori Lehtera at 5:31.The sellout crowd of 22,207 responded with cheers of ''Co-rey! Co-rey!'' and then resumed the chants after the goaltender turned away Lehtera again and Tarasenko on a couple more prime opportunities. He finished with 33 saves.Elliott had his own series of impressive stops on a Blackhawks power play in the second. He also caught a break when Andrew Ladd's shot bounced off the left post and then the right one with about 6:20 to go.Berglund tied it at 5:15 of the third when his shot from the middle of the ice went off the inside of Rozsival's right leg and then skipped over Crawford's glove.The pace of play only picked up after the teams exchanged power-play goals in the first, with Brent Seabrook scoring for Chicago and Colton Parayko responding for St. Louis. The Blackhawks outshot the Blues 24-13 in the second.NOTES: Blues C Steve Ott replaced Ryan Reaves in the lineup for his first game since Dec. 5. Ott had hamstring surgery and then was diagnosed with colitis. ... Blackhawks F Dale Weise, who was acquired in a Feb. 26 trade with Montreal, got into the lineup for the first time in the series. F Richard Panik also was active, while Fs Andrew Desjardins and Brandon Mashinter were on the scratch list.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues have jumped out to a 2-1 series lead over the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday thanks in large part to a beautiful puck-moving sequence on a late power play.Watch Vladimir Tarasenko, David Backes, and Jaden Schwartz dizzy defenders, carving Chicago's kill with one-touch movement in the attacking third.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Corey Crawford is determined to stop the St. Louis Blues by any means necessary.Approaching the midway portion of the second period, Crawford made a series of outrageous stops during this mad scramble to preserve a one-goal lead for the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3.By the way, that sequence was preceded by this denial on Blues forward Jori Lehtera.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bruce Boudreau isn't sweating his goalie situation.John Gibson allowed three goals on 33 shots in a Game 1 loss to the Nashville Predators, and the head coach is expecting a strong follow-up performance to help his team tie the series."John knows I have faith in him," Boudreau said Sunday. "If he has a sub-par game, the next game is usually very good."Recent history would suggest this is indeed the case.To wit, Gibson's worst performance of the season came in his hometown of Pittsburgh, where he allowed six goals on 31 shots to the Penguins. In his next appearance, he came in relief of Frederik Andersen and allowed only one goal on 17 shots to preserve a win over the Chicago Blackhawks.More recently, Gibson followed up a loss to lowly Vancouver by giving up a single goal in a win over Dallas.Boudreau, then, is counting on more of the same. If Gibson should falter, however, the coach probably won't be slow to give him the hook in favor of Andersen.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers would love to line up Alex Ovechkin with a big hit. Brayden Schenn, especially.The Washington Capitals superstar rocked Schenn into the Flyers' bench Saturday night, and Schenn hasn't forgotten - nor will he."He took a run at me," Schenn said, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale. "He's always looking for that big hit and we have to try and lay a licking on him."While Ovechkin only has one goal in the series, which Washington leads 2-0, he's made his impact, alright. Ovechkin was credited with four hits in Game 1, one of them knocking Sean Couturier - the man who was supposed to shut the Russian down - out for the series with what's thought to be a shoulder injury. Ovechkin had seven hits in Game 2."Sometimes you just have to play physical," Ovechkin said, according to The Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan. "If you don't have an opportunity ot do something else, you play physical. You play simple and the other guys are going to follow you."With Ovechkin leading the way, the Capitals are already halfway to the second round. And about that licking, the Flyers are running out of time.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Blame Steve Mason all you want. The Philadelphia Flyers are standing by their embattled goalie.Mason allowed a brutal goal Saturday night in Game 2 against the Washington Capitals, a 100-footer by Jason Chimera that may come to define the series. The Flyers are down 2-0 heading home, but all indications are that Mason will be in the crease Monday night.The goal, if you missed it:"That's not something we've talked about," head coach Dave Hakstol said Sunday when asked if Michal Neuvirth may get the Game 3 nod, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale.

The Anaheim Ducks will have help on the blue line for Sunday's Game 2 against the Nashville Predators.Defenseman Kevin Bieksa, who hasn't played since March 24 as a result of an upper-body injury, will be back in the lineup, head coach Bruce Boudreau confirmed.The 34-year-old averaged 21 minutes a night in 71 appearances for the Ducks during the regular season, contributing four goals and 11 assists.Josh Manson, injured in Game 1, will sit.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, it has to be tempting.As his club's first-round series against the Rangers shifts to New York, Sullivan was asked about potentially playing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin - who returned to the lineup for the first time since March 11 on Saturday - on the same line. He didn't rule it out, but he didn't commit to the idea, either."There's no reason why two players that are as good as they are cannot work together," Sullivan said Sunday, according to the Penguins' website.Here's more from Sullivan's media availability on the topic, as transcribed by the Penguins' website:

Take heart, Steve Mason, for you are not alone.The Philadelphia Flyers goalie allowed an embarrassing and perhaps series-defining goal off Jason Chimera's stick from 100 feet away, one that ended up being the Game 2 winner for the Washington Capitals.Related: Mason takes responsibility for gaffe: 'I messed up'Mason isn't the first to make such a mistake, and hopefully, for entertainment purposes, won't be the last.Owen Nolan on Roman TurekIn Game 7 of an opening-round series back in 2000, Owen Nolan beat Roman Turek with a late first-period slap shot from center ice that gave the San Jose Sharks a 2-0 lead over the St. Louis Blues.It proved to be the game-winning goal, sending San Jose to the conference semifinals.Sandis Ozolinsh on Martin BrodeurThis one came from a bit closer in, but was scored in the 2003 Stanley Cup Final and on a mistake made by arguably the greatest goaltender of all time.While Sandis Ozolinsh managed to make Martin Brodeur look foolish, the New Jersey Devils got the last laugh by raising the Cup.Derek Morris on Jonathan QuickThe (then Phoenix) Coyotes made a surprise appearance in the Western Conference Final in 2012, where Derek Morris rifled a slap shot that eluded Jonathan Quick, who's generally considered one of the best playoff performers over the past several seasons.Nicklas Lidstrom on Dan CloutierVancouver built up a 2-0 series lead as the eighth seed facing off against the Presidents' Trophy winners from Detroit in 2002. With the score tied late in the second period of Game 3, Nicklas Lidstrom beat Dan Cloutier from center ice.Detroit went on to win that contest and the next three to take the series, making this goal the definition of a turning point.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If it was up to Dan Girardi, he'd be playing.That was the latest from New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault, who said his defenseman has been "unfairly criticized," according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen, even though Girardi's been nothing but a team-first character throughout his time in Manhattan.Vigneault added he doesn't expect Girardi or Ryan McDonagh to practice Monday, and both remain day to day.

Injured Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman is with his teammates in Detroit and took part in an off-ice workout Sunday - but don't get too excited.The defender, out with a fractured leg, won't play in the first-round series against the Red Wings, head coach Jon Cooper confirmed, according to ESPN's Craig Custance.Up 2-0 in the series, Cooper said "there's a chance" Stralman returns should the Lightning move on, reports the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith.Stralman was working out with what might have been a brace on his leg, but it was not a cast, Custance added. What we know is the defender is making progress, but there remains no definitive timeline for his return.Here's what ice time on the blue line looks for Tampa Bay through two playoff games:DefensemanAverage Ice TimeVictor Hedman26:46Jason Garrison22:08Braydon Coburn19:15Matt Carle17:55Andrej Sustr17:52Nikita Nesterov12:35Matt Carle was a healthy scratch numerous times throughout the season, but he's been asked to step up in Stralman's absence, and has done so admirably.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping a change in net sparks a turnaround in their series.Down 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, head coach Jeff Blashill has tabbed Petr Mrazek as his starting goalie for Sunday's Game 3.The decision came after Jimmy Howard allowed seven goals on 64 shots in consecutive losses to open the postseason.

Ken Hitchcock is doing the accounting.The story heading into Game 3 on Sunday afternoon between Hitchcock's St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks is undoubtedly how the Blues will respond after having what appeared to be a potential game-winning goal - and a potential 2-0 series lead - by Vladimir Tarasenko erased after Jori Lehtera was ruled to be "millimeters offside."What could have been a 3-2 lead eventually turned into a 3-2 loss for the Blues, after Andrew Shaw scored late in the third period, his goal standing after another review process, this one checking for goaltender interference.Whether Hitchcock's keeping tabs with NHL hockey operations or the hockey gods, we don't know, but he's keep tabs, is what matters."I know we just had two go the wrong way," Hitchcock said, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford. "We're owed two back the other way."Each review took four-and-a-half minutes, twice bringing an intense playoff game to a halt, which irked a lot of the players. But Hitchcock says the Blues must overcome, the time for chatting due in the offseason."That's probably for summer time conversation," said the head coach, whose job is certainly on the line after three straight first-round exits. "I'm sure there'll be lots of discussion. That (offside call) will be a video that will get played over and over again, but for right now, all I know is it's a call that went against us and we need to move on and get ready for (Sunday) afternoon."The Blues dealt with their fair share of adversity this season, as multiple key players went down to injury. They not only survived, but thrived, finishing second in the Central Division and Western Conference with an impressive 107 points. They're going to have to summon that same resolve if they hope to win three of five against the defending Stanley Cup champions.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.