Flyers Get Even With Sabres

Maybe now R.J. Umberger won’t see himself flat on the ice every time he turns on the television.

Umberger scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period Friday night, helping the Philadelphia Flyers even their first-round playoff series against Buffalo with a 5-4 victory at Philadelphia.

Peter Forsberg had two goals and a sensational assist, and Petr Nedved and Eric Desjardins also scored for the Flyers, who won their second consecutive game after a humiliating six-goal loss Monday.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday at Buffalo, N.Y. The Sabres won both games at home, including an 8-2 victory in Game 2 after a double-overtime win in the opener.

Umberger was knocked woozy by Brian Campbell’s check in Game 1 and sat out the next game. The hit has been replayed often on highlight shows.

Tired of seeing it, the rookie made the difference with his first playoff goal.

Umberger carried the puck from his blue line into Buffalo’s zone and took a slap shot from the right circle that squirted under goaltender Ryan Miller’s right arm.

“I saw that hit enough. Now you can show the goal,” Umberger said.

It was one of the few bad ones that Miller has given up in the series.

“I don’t want that to be the way this series is remembered,” Miller said.

Dallas 4, Colorado 1 -- The Stars avoided elimination at Denver on the strength of Niklas Hagman’s first two goals of the postseason.

Hagman’s breakaway goal off Sergei Zubov’s pass broke a 1-1 tie less than four minutes into the second period, and Bill Guerin’s wraparound goal between goaltender Jose Theodore’s skates came at 18:41.

Carolina 3, Montreal 2 -- Rod Brind’Amour scored 5:54 into the third period to give the Hurricanes the victory at Montreal and tie the series, 2-2.

The Hurricanes, who won despite losing an early lead, dropped the first two games of the best-of-seven series at home but swept two at Montreal.