Sharks Push Blues to the Edge

Gary Suter’s shot from just inside the blue line skipped into the net with 8:37 remaining and the San Jose Sharks defeated the St. Louis Blues, 3-2, Wednesday night at San Jose to take a 3-1 lead in their playoff series.

The best-of-seven series moves back to St. Louis on Friday for Game 5 with the top-seeded Blues, who finished the regular season with the NHL’s best record, on the brink of elimination.

San Jose, 0-4-1 in five regular season meetings against the Blues, is one win from duplicating its 1994 feat, when it ousted Detroit in a first-round series as a No. 8 seed.

The winning shot was set up when Alexander Korolyuk passed the puck across ice and it bounced off the boards to Suter, who wound up for a slap shot near the blue line. The puck skipped high off the ice and shot between goalie Roman Turek’s stick-side arm and his leg.

Mike Ricci scored San Jose’s second goal on a pass from Stephane Matteau after a turnover. The Sharks scored their first goal when Marco Sturm tipped one past Turek 6:08 into the game.

Phoenix 3, Colorado 2--The Coyotes took a page from the Avalanche’s playbook, jumping ahead quickly and hanging on for a victory at Phoenix to remain alive in the postseason.

Mikael Renberg got the winner 38 seconds into the second period, and Sean Burke, who allowed 12 goals in the first three games, made 36 saves.

The Avalanche still hold a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and could close it out by winning Game 5 Friday in Denver.

Ottawa 2, Toronto 1--Andreas Dackell scored twice as the Senators defeated the Maple Leafs at Kanata, Ontario, to even their series at 2-2.

Tom Barrasso’s bid for his seventh career playoff shutout was spoiled with 3:50 remaining when Sergei Berezin scored for the Maple Leafs, who outshot the Senators, 32-22. Game 5 is Saturday night at Toronto.

Washington 3, Pittsburgh 2--Rookie Jeff Halpern scored the game-winning goal on a rebound with 7:05 remaining on a power play resulting from Penguin goalie Ron Tugnutt’s careless slashing penalty as the Capitals prevented a series sweep with a win at Washington.

Around the league

Eric Lindros is still plagued by lingering headaches and won’t return for the second round if the Philadelphia Flyers advance past the Buffalo Sabres. . . . Buffalo defenseman Alexei Zhitnik was suspended for Game 5 for cracking his stick across the helmet of Daymond Langkow of the Flyers. . . . Pat Burns is returning as coach of the Boston Bruins after a turbulent season that sparked widespread speculation about his future, Bruin General Manager Harry Sinden announced.