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Oilers Make Most of Chances

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From the Associated Press

Brad Winchester and Fernando Pisani scored less than a minute apart late in the second period to rally the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-2 victory over the top-seeded and host Detroit Red Wings on Sunday that tied their first-round playoff series.

Dwayne Roloson made 33 saves for the Oilers, who also got goals from Chris Pronger and Jarret Stoll to get even at 1-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference matchup. Edmonton trailed, 2-1, before Winchester and Pisani scored.

“They did a pretty good job in the neutral zone,” Red Wing Coach Mike Babcock said. “We didn’t come through it -- except in the second period -- with speed.”

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Trailing, 2-1, the Oilers did some aggressive forechecking, and the Red Wings seemed casual with the puck. That led to the tying and go-ahead goals that made it 3-2 with 1:14 left in the second period.

“We needed to differentiate when we backed up and when we put on pressure -- and we did that,” Oiler Coach Craig MacTavish said.

Detroit’s Manny Legace, who gave up three goals in 16 shots through two periods, finished with 20 saves.

Henrik Zetterberg put the Red Wings ahead, 2-1, midway through the second period.

San Jose 3, Nashville 0 -- Jonathan Cheechoo had a goal and two assists at Nashville to get the Sharks even with the Predators at 1-1 in the first-round series in the Western Conference.

San Jose quickly neutralized this season’s best home-ice advantage -- Nashville won an NHL-best 32 games at home this season -- by scoring three power-play goals in the first period, including two on five-on-three situations.

Patrick Marleau also had a goal and assist, and Mark Smith got his second goal of the postseason. Vesa Toskala stopped 25 shots for his first playoff shutout in his second postseason game.

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Tampa Bay 4, Ottawa 3 -- Martin St. Louis scored his second goal of the game 6:19 into the third period, and the Lightning battled back twice for a win over the Senators at Ottawa to even their Eastern Conference series at 1-1.

John Grahame made 22 saves for his first win in four career playoff games.

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New York Ranger forward Jaromir Jagr apparently suffered an arm injury in Saturday’s playoff opener against the New Jersey Devils and might not play in Game 2 tonight. Jagr didn’t practice Sunday and his status will be determined today.

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