Blackhawks win to force Game 7

CHICAGO - Ben Smith scored on a rebound at 15 minutes, 30 seconds of overtime and the defending Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-3, on Sunday night to force a seventh game in the opening-round series.

The Canucks, with the NHL's best record during the regular season, have lost three straight after it appeared they were in control of the series. Game 7 is Tuesday night in Vancouver.

Smith, a rookie, followed in a long, hard shot from the point by teammate Niklas Hjalmarsson that bounced off goalie Roberto Luongo.

Luongo didn't start the game but was called upon in the third period when Cory Schneider had to be helped off the ice when he was injured as he tried to stop Michael Frolik's penalty shot that tied it at 3.

Predators 4, Ducks 2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nick Spaling scored his second goal of the game at 4 minutes, 53 seconds of the third period and Nashville closed out its first postseason series victory to advance to the Western Conference semifinals, eliminating Anaheim.

Steve Sullivan scored a goal, David Legwand had an empty-netter and Jordin Tootoo assisted on Spaling's goals. The Predators won the series, four games to two, in their sixth postseason in seven seasons.

Jason Blake scored a power-play goal, and Teemu Selanne also had a goal for the Ducks. Anaheim looked tired early after blowing a lead late before losing Game 5 in overtime. The Ducks also looked tired late as coach Randy Carlyle went heavily with his top two lines trying to rally.

Anaheim lost in the opening round for the third time in seven playoffs.

Bruins need one more

The Boston Bruins are heading to Montreal with a 3-2 lead over the Canadiens in their first-round playoff series.

But the Bruins know better than anyone that the fourth win is the hardest.

Boston led the Flyers, 3-0, in last year's Eastern Conference semifinals, then lost four straight. So the Bruins aren't taking anything for granted.

Game 6 is Tuesday.

Rangers end in whimper

When the New York Rangers look back at this season, two key moments will surely stand out: One will make them smile; the other will cause them to cringe.

The happy memory will be of their regular-season-ending win over the New Jersey Devils that kept them alive in the playoff chase long enough for Tampa Bay to beat Carolina hours later and put them into the postseason as the No. 8 seed.

However, their stay in the playoffs was painfully quick after falling to Washington in five games.

Pacioretty regrets tweet

Injured Montreal Canadien Max Pacioretty has apologized for a comment he made on Twitter making fun of Bruins forward Brad Marchand's nose.

During Saturday night's double-overtime game between Boston and Montreal, Pacioretty posted, "this game is longer than marchands nose." Later, Pacioretty posted an apology, saying, "I was trying to to be funny earlier, and it didn't work. I apologize to marchand and won't try to be funny that way in the future."

Kings win to stay alive

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Jonathan Quick used his pads, glove and just about every other part of his equipment and body to make sure the Los Angeles Kings would stay alive in their playoff series against San Jose.

Quick made a Los Angeles playoff-record 51 saves to lead the Kings to a 3-1 victory over the Sharks in Game 5 on Saturday night.