Western Conference
Detroit Red Wings 4, San Jose Sharks 3 -- The Red Wings were on the verge of being swept for the first time since 2003. They took control early in Game Four, with a beautiful backhand goal from Todd Bertuzzi and two goals form Nicklas Lindstrom in the first period for an early 3-0 lead. But the Sharks fought back, tying the game early in the third period on a Dany Heatley wrister. The game appeared to be headed for overtime until a beautiful cross ice pass from Patrick Eaves left the net wide open as Darren Helm fired a slapshot top shelf past Antti Niemi, extending Detroit's season for at least one more game.
San Jose leads the series, 3-1.
Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins 5, Philadelphia Flyers 1 -- There will be no miracle comeback for the Flyers this season. They finally started goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in net for the first time in the series, but it made little difference to Bruins forward Milan Lucic, who had two goals on the evening. Boston blew the game open with two empty net scores late in the third to close out the series and avenge their painful loss in last year's semifinals against the very same Flyers. Boston has now won eight of their past nine playoff games and will now face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Conference Finals.
Boston wins the series, 4-0.
Games To Watch Tonight
Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks, 8:00 p.m. EDT, on Versus -- Nashville has hung tough in this series, shutting down the Sedin brothers. Unfortunately for the Predators, Ryan Kesler has shown up in a big way for Vancouver with three goals in the series. Pekka Rinne and Roberto Luongo have both been impressive in goal, but the Canucks offense has been just a bit better than the Predators defense. Vancouver would love to close out this series on their home ice instead of returning to Nashville.
Vancouver leads the series, 3-1.