Sharks stay alive, 2-1

Milan Michalek scored on a power play with 16:34 left Wednesday night and San Jose beat host Dallas, 2-1, to avoid being swept in the Western Conference semifinals.

After Mike Modano drew a delay of game penalty for knocking the puck into the stands, Brian Campbell made a cross-ice pass to Joe Thornton, who then pushed the puck back to the front of the net, through the legs of Jonathan Cheechoo and onto Michalek’s stick.

Game 5 is Friday night at San Jose, where the Stars won the first two games of the series. The visiting team has won 14 of the last 18 games between the rivals, dating to last season.

Philadelphia 4, Montreal 2 -- Danny Briere scored the winning goal on a rebound with 3:38 left and the Flyers took a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Philadelphia, the worst team in the NHL last season, can eliminate the top-seeded Canadiens in Game 5 on Saturday night in Montreal.

The Canadiens gave Philadelphia a scare when Tomas Plekanec and Saku Koviu tied the score, 2-2, on goals 37 seconds apart late in the third period. Briere’s eighth goal of the postseason was enough to send to Flyers to Montreal with a chance to win the series.