SCHEDULE

Series tied, 2-2

Game 1: Buffalo 3, Dallas 2 (OT)

Game 2: Dallas 4, Buffalo 2

Game 3: Dallas 2, Buffalo 1

Game 4: Buffalo 2, Dallas 1

Game 5: Thursday at Dallas, 5 p.m.

Game 6: Saturday at Buffalo, 5 p.m.

Game 7: Tuesday at Dallas, 5 p.m.*

* if necessary, all times Pacific

NOTES / Kings’ Offer Alters Palffy Landscape

The Kings have jumped back into contention for dynamic New York Islander winger Ziggy Palffy, a prolific scorer whose five-year, $26-million contract is too big for the financially troubled Islanders. If the league approves, a deal may be consummated in the next day or two.

Commissioner Gary Bettman has said league officials will analyze any prospective transaction to determine whether it makes sense competitively and is not merely a case of the Islanders dumping assets.

After much haggling, the Kings are prepared to give up defense prospect Mathieu Biron, center prospect Scott Barney, winger Josh Green, their first-round pick in this year’s entry draft (eighth overall) and cash for Palffy, who scored 22 goals in 50 games last season after a contract dispute but has three seasons of more than 40 goals to his credit. The Kings would also get 6-foot-2, 212-pound right wing Mike Watt and the rights to restricted free-agent center Bryan Smolinski.

The Islanders had reached agreement on a deal with the New York Rangers that would have brought them Todd Harvey, Niklas Sundstrom, minor leaguer Patrick Leahy, a first-round draft pick and cash for Palffy and Rich Pilon, but Islander General Manager Mike Milbury said Tuesday he has not decided where he will deal Palffy.

“We don’t have a deal with anybody right now,” Milbury said. “I hope to get something done, and our timetable is before the draft [June 26].

“Two teams in particular are involved. They would have to present me with enough for me to present to our ownership, but there are still some considerations involved. . . . We’re looking for the best possible package of assets we can possibly get, and none of them can be high-priced. What we’re looking for is youth and draft picks and some people who can play for us now.”

The Kings’ Dave Taylor took his turn in a parade of general managers who spoke to Milbury Tuesday at the NHL’s headquarters hotel while the series is in Buffalo. After talking to Taylor and Ranger General Manager Neil Smith, Milbury consulted NHL Vice President Colin Campbell, who can overrule a trade if he feels the Islanders are not getting a reasonable return for Palffy.

*

General managers met Tuesday to discuss the rule modifications put in place this season and voiced concerns over the crease rule, which mandates that a goal be disallowed if a player on the attacking team has a foot in the crease before the puck enters the crease. . Discussions were also held about video replay and its effect on prolonging games.

“The thing you’re concerned about is how you kill the emotion of the fans in the building,” Mighty Duck General Manager Pierre Gauthier said. “The trade-off is [allowing attacking players to encroach] and charging goalies.”

Campbell took a random sample of 10 instances in which replay was used and found the average delay to be 1 minute 33 seconds.

*

The Flyers promoted Paul Holmgren to assistant general manager from director of player personnel. . . . Gauthier said he will not give a play-by-play of contract talks with restricted free agent Paul Kariya but indicated talks are proceeding.