Defense returns for Avalanche

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- This was more like it.

After their first three playoff games turned into goal-scoring frenzies, the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche settled into a more defensive mode for Game 4.

Joe Sakic had two goals in Colorado's 4-1 victory over the Sharks on Wednesday night. With the Western Conference semifinal tied at two games each, the teams head back to Denver for Game 5 on Saturday.

After the Sharks won the opening game 6-3, the defending Stanley Cup champions came back with an 8-2 rout. San Jose won Game 3 at home 6-4.

"I think we knew it was going to be a more low-scoring game because everyone was talking about it," said Teemu Selanne, who scored the Sharks' lone goal. "But they got their goals and we didn't."

In the other game Wednesday, Toronto beat Ottawa 2-1 to even that Eastern Conference semifinal at 2-2. Game 5 is in Toronto on Friday.

The Sharks' 14 goals in the first three games was the most allowed in any three-game stretch by the Avalanche all season.