Sharks Make Their Move

Patrick Marleau and the San Jose Sharks made quick work of the Nashville Predators to reach the Western Conference semifinals for the second consecutive season.

Marleau and Steve Bernier each scored power-play goals, and the Sharks eliminated the Predators with a 2-1 victory in Game 5 Sunday at Nashville.

Marleau -- San Jose’s captain -- scored his postseason-best seventh goal. With Marleau adding to an offense that has the NHL’s best point producer in Joe Thornton and its top goal scorer in Jonathan Cheechoo, the Sharks gained their fourth consecutive victory.

Colorado 3, Dallas 2 -- Andrew Brunette scooped a rebound shot over sprawling goaltender Marty Turco 13:55 into overtime at Dallas to help the seventh-seeded Avalanche eliminate the second-seeded Stars, 4-1, in their series.

Joe Sakic took a shot that bounded off Turco, and Brunette scored despite a desperate sliding attempt by Mike Modano to stop the puck. It was Colorado’s third overtime victory in the series.

Colorado’s Jose Theodore had 50 saves, and Sakic added the 81st playoff goal of his career, the most among active players.

Buffalo 3, Philadelphia 0 -- Rookie goalie Ryan Miller stopped 24 shots to record his first playoff shutout, and Tim Connolly and J.P. Dumont scored power-play goals and had an assist each to help the Sabres recover from two road losses to take a 3-2 series lead at Buffalo, N.Y.

The Flyers’ Peter Forsberg, who had four goals and four assists in four games, was held without a point for the first time.

Carolina 2, Montreal 1 -- Rookie goalie Cam Ward stopped 30 shots to get his third consecutive victory, Eric Staal and Matt Cullen had power-play goals, and the Hurricanes took a 3-2 series lead at Raleigh, N.C.