Blues and Avs Work Overtime…Sharks and Rangers Win Easily
The NHL playoffs have been going for two nights, and already there have been three overtime games. Two of those thrillers were Thursday night.
In the longest game in St. Louis Blues history, Alexander Steen scored at 26 seconds of the third overtime to give the Blues a 4-3 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.
Ryan Miller blanked the Blackhawks after Patrick Kane scored on a breakaway to put Chicago up 3-2 late in the first period.
Both teams face a short turnaround with Game 2 Saturday afternoon.
In other first-round series openers:
— Paul Stastny (STAHS'-nee) was the hero for the Colorado Avalanche in their 5-4 win over upset-minded Minnesota. Stastny forced overtime with a goal with 13.4 seconds left in regulation and he ended it with a goal 7:27 into overtime. It's the Avs' first playoff victory since 2010.
— Brad Richards and Derek Stepan scored power-play goals 47 seconds apart in the third period and the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 4-1 in their NHL playoff opener. The Rangers have beaten the Flyers nine straight times at Madison Square Garden. They held Philadelphia to one shot on goal in the final period.
— San Jose built a five-goal lead after two periods and doubled up the L.A. Kings 6-3. Joe Thornton, Tomas Hertl and Patrick Marleau got the Sharks off to a fast start with first-period goals.