CHICAGO (AP) — Mikkel Boedker scored in overtime for the second straight game and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Thursday night to take a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.
Boedker skated ahead of defenseman Nick Leddy and shoveled the puck under goalie Corey Crawford at 2:15 in the fourth straight game that has gone to an extra period.
Game 5 is Saturday night in Arizona.
Michael Frolik’s tap-in from the left side with 1:26 left in regulation tied it and marked the third time in four games the Blackhawks rallied to force overtime after pulling Crawford for an extra attacker.
Capitals 2, Bruins 1
WASHINGTON (AP) — Playoff rookie Braden Holtby followed up a shaky outing with a superb one by making 44 saves Thursday night, and Alexander Semin scored the go-ahead goal, leading the Washington Capitals to a 2-1 victory over the reigning Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins that tied the first-round series at two games apiece.
Marcus Johansson put the puck past Tim Thomas less than 1 1/2 minutes after the opening faceoff, but Boston’s Rich Peverley tied it later in the first period. Semin put Washington ahead for good with 1:17 left in the second on a power-play goal, his second score of the series.
The best-of-seven Eastern Conference series shifts back to Boston for Game 5 on Saturday. Game 6 will be in Washington on Sunday.
Devils 4, Panthers 0
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Martin Brodeur bounced back from his shortest postseason performance with a record-setting 24th Stanley Cup playoff shutout, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 4-0 victory over the Florida Panthers Thursday night, tying their first-round series at 2-all.
Brodeur made 26 saves in taking over sole possession of the postseason shutout mark from Patrick Roy. The 39-year-old goaltender also added his second assist of the series, giving him 10 for his career, four behind all-time leader Grant Fuhr.
The effort came two days after Brodeur was lifted after giving up three goals in 22:18 in a 4-3 loss.
Zach Parise, Steve Bernier, Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk scored for New Jersey.
Game 5 of the best-of-7 series will be Saturday in Florida.
Brodeur made at least six outstanding saves in winning his 101st career postseason game, while seemingly benefiting from some early luck when Sean Bergenheim hit a goalpost.
Another difference in this game was the special teams. Florida, which was 6 of 10 on the power play in the first three games, failed to connect on six chances with the extra man, while the Devils converted twice.
Florida had an excuse of sorts. Defenseman Jason Garrison, one of the quarterbacks of the Panthers’ power play, was sidelined with a lower back injury.
