Avalanche Takes 3-0 Lead Over the Stars

Alex Tanguay scored 1:09 into overtime at Denver on Wednesday to give the Colorado Avalanche a 4-3 victory over the Dallas Stars and a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference series.

Ian Laperriere, a former King, assisted on Tanguay’s second goal of the game.

Colorado tied the score with 56 seconds left in regulation when Andrew Brunette poked in a loose puck in front of the net on a power play.

Sergei Zubov’s five-on-three goal from the right circle with 15 seconds left in the second period broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Stars their only lead.

Carolina 2, Montreal 1 -- Eric Staal scored a power-play goal 3:38 into overtime at Montreal to help the Hurricanes avoid falling into an 0-3 hole in the first-round Eastern Conference series.

Hurricane captain Rod Brind’Amour tied the score 11:27 into the third period with his third goal in two games.

Canadien captain Saku Koivu left early in the second period, bleeding from a cut near his left eye after he was clipped by the stick of Carolina’s Justin Williams.

New Jersey 3, New York Rangers 0 -- Patrik Elias set up Jamie Langenbrunner 68 seconds after the opening faceoff and then scored his third goal of the series eight minutes later as the visiting Devils took a 3-0 series lead over the Rangers.

Martin Brodeur stopped 25 shots for his 21st career postseason shutout, two off the NHL mark held by Patrick Roy.

Philadelphia 4, Buffalo 2 -- Peter Forsberg scored two goals and Robert Esche made 26 saves to give the Flyers the victory at home. The Sabres lead the series, 2-1.