STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ROUNDUP : Blackhawks Continue Their Winning Ways, 5-4

The Chicago Blackhawks lost two of their first three playoff games, but they haven’t lost since.

Dirk Graham’s second goal of the game with 4:47 left in regulation Wednesday night at Chicago gave the Blackhawks a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings for their sixth victory in a row.

The Blackhawks, who finished 11 points behind the Red Wings in the Norris Division, are on the verge of sweeping them in the division final. Graham’s goal gave them a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and a chance to end it Friday night on their home ice.

Twice, the Red Wings came back from two-goal deficits.

The Blackhawks went ahead, 2-0, when Jerry Roenick scored at 8:01 of the first period and Graham scored 30 seconds later.

Mike Sillinger scored Detroit’s first goal at 8:14 of the second period, and Ray Sheppard tied the score, 2-2, on a power play at 14:29.

Then, with the Blackhawks leading, 4-2, the Red Wings’ Gerard Gallant scored 51 seconds into the final period. A little more than a minute later Sheppard scored again to tie it.

The Blackhawks’ game-winner came when Igor Kravchuk blasted a shot from the left point and Graham, in front of the net, deflected the puck between goalie Tim Cheveldae’s legs.

The Red Wings came back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits in the first round to beat Minnesota in seven games, but it will be much tougher this time.

“If we play with the kind of determination we had tonight, we’ll make it very interesting in here one more time, at least,” Detroit Coach Bryan Murray said.

Edmonton 5, Vancouver 2--Joe Murphy had a hat trick and an assist at Edmonton to lead the Oilers to a 2-1 series lead.

Murphy’s first goal was a 50-foot slap shot that eluded goalie Kirk McLean and gave the Oilers a 2-0 lead at 4:27 of the second period.

The Canucks, who finished 14 points ahead of the Oilers in the Smythe Division, finally broke through against Bill Ranford early in the third period with Cliff Ronning’s goal.

But Murphy stopped the momentum a minute later at 4:35 with his second goal of the game. He completed his hat trick with 1:25 left.

Murphy’s other goal in the series won the first game in overtime.

In losing Game 2, the Oilers were outshot, 39-14, but in this one they had the edge, 32-22.

The Canucks were only one for six in power plays.

The series resumes Friday night at Edmonton.