NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS : Flames Fizzle Again, Trail, 3-1

The Calgary Flames, faced with the knowledge they had never won a playoff series once they fell behind, 2-1, couldn’t do anything to remedy it.

They jumped out in front, 2-0, Wednesday night at Edmonton, then fell apart as the Oilers skated to a 5-2 victory and took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.

The Oilers, who finished a weak third in the Smythe Division, can advance by winning one of the next three games. They will have a chance to finish off the heavily favored Flames Friday night at Calgary.

Esa Tikkanen scored twice in the five-goal onslaught that brought the Oilers from behind to their third victory in four games.

During the regular season, the Flames finished 20 points ahead of the Oilers, but they have been outplayed in this series. To pull it out they would now have to win three games in a row.

The Oilers finished second in the Smythe Division last spring and went on to win the Stanley Cup.

With goaltender Grant Fuhr, who missed most of this season because of a drug problem, back in his best form, they have a shot at a repeat.

Fuhr gave up two goals in the first 14 minutes, then settled down to win for the third time in his four games.

In the last 46 minutes, he stopped 25 shots, some of the saves similar to the ones he made a few years ago when he was considered the best goaltender.

Detroit 4, St. Louis 3--The underdogs are having a ball in the Stanley Cup competition.

The Red Wings finished a very poor third in the Norris Division, but they are manhandling the Blues.

Rick Zombo and Brent Fedyk scored in the third period at Detroit to lift the Red Wings to victory and a 3-1 series lead over the Blues.

The Blues are proving to be a one-man team, and that’s not enough in the playoffs.

Brett Hull scored two more goals and assisted on the other, but he didn’t get enough help and the Blues are within a defeat of elimination.

Steve Chiasson scored the first two goals for the Red Wings.

“I expect it will be a heck of a game in St. Louis Friday,” Detroit Coach Bryan Murray said.

Minnesota 3, Chicago 1--For a fourth-place team that finished 38 points out of first place, the North Stars are doing rather well.

Mike Craig and Mark Tinordi scored during Wayne Presley’s major penalty at Bloomington, Minn., and the North Stars evened their playoff series at two games apiece.

The North Stars held the Norris Division champions to 10 shots on goal in the first two periods. It was embarrassing for the team that had 106 points, most in the NHL.

Neal Broten also scored for the North Stars, who built a 3-0 lead, then held off a desperate rally.

The Blackhawks fired 17 shots at Jon Casey in the last 20 minutes, but only one made it into the net.