Western Conference
Vancouver Canucks 3, Nashville Predators 2 (OT) -- For the second game in a row, these contenders were forced into an extra session to determine the outcome. The Canucks held a 2-1 lead until midway through the third period, when Predators winger Joel Ward pushed a goal past Roberto Luongo to tie the score and send the game into overtime. It was the second straight game that Nashville tied the score in the third period to force OT. Pekka Rinne's 44 saves in the game weren't enough as Ryan Kesler scored his second power play goal of the evening (and his only two goals of the playoffs) at 10:45 in overtime. All three of these games have been decided by a single goal, and the last two have played three overtime periods in the past two games.
Vancouver leads the series, 2-1.
Eastern Conference
Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Washington Capitals 3 -- The Lightning are on the brink of eliminating their Southeast Division rivals, the top seeded Washington Capitals. After sweeping both games in Washington with a solid effort by goalie Dwayne Roloson, the Lightning used their vaunted offense to come from behind and take Game Three in front of their home crowd. Down 3-2, Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone each scored a goal less than 30 seconds apart in the third period to take a commanding lead in the game -- and in the series. After defeating the New York Rangers in five games, the Capitals are now faced with another disappointing end to a great season.
Tampa Bay leads the series, 3-0.
Games To Watch Tonight
Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:00 p.m. EDT, on NHL Network -- Less than 24 hours after their heartbreaking loss, the Capitals now must face elimination for the first time in these playoffs. The back-to-back gives the momentum to Tampa Bay, who has the chance to take care of their rivals and move into the Conference Finals for the first time since their Stanley Cup championship year in 2004.
Tampa Bay leads the series, 3-0.
Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins, 7:00 p.m. EDT, on Versus -- After taking both games in Philadelphia, the Bruins have a golden opportunity to put the Flyers in a deep hole. Tim Thomas was the hero in Game Two, making 52 saves in the overtime victory. But the Flyers aren't out of it, as they came back from the dead last season against these very same Bruins to win the series. They need a standout performance from one of their goalies to even have a chance in this series.
Boston leads the series, 2-0.
San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings, 8:00 p.m. EDT -- The Red Wings are in trouble as well, as they've been outhit and outplayed by the Sharks all series. Thankfully, this series is moving to the familiar ice in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The Wings have to take care of business and win both home games; they need to win Game Three to regain some momentum and stall the Sharks' punishing defense if they want to make this a series.
San Jose leads the series, 2-0.