Western Conference
Nashville Predators 4, Vancouver Canucks 3 -- The Predators extended their season in Vancouver by virtue of their largest offensive effort in the series. David Legwand and Joel Ward scored two goals apiece to take control of a game that was dominated early by Vancouver. Canucks star forward Ryan Kesler added two goals of his own, including a rocket from the faceoff circle with less than four minutes left in the game to bring Vancouver within one. Pekka Rinne stood tall for the Predators with 31 saves, and now the series heads back to Nashville for a crucial Game Six. The Predators got their wish; another game on their home ice with a chance to force Game Seven.
Vancouver leads the series, 3-2.
Game To Watch Today
Detroit Red Wings at San Jose Sharks, 8:00 p.m. EDT, on Versus -- The Red Wings escaped a series sweep with a last minute escape in Game Four, on a blast from Darren Helm. They'll need another miracle to extend a series that has been controlled by the Sharks defense thus far -- this time in San Jose. Detroit showed glimpses of their potent offense through the first two periods of that game only to let the three goal lead slip away. They'll have to maintain their focus to avoid a repeat of their 2010 semifinal against the Sharks, when they avoided the sweep only to lose in five games.
San Jose leads the series, 3-1.