Nashville Gets A Win

The Nashville Predators scored three goals in the final four minutes to win their first game of the series 5-3 over Detroit.

Ryan Suter and Jason Arnott scored to turn a one-goal deficit into a lead and Martin Erat added an empty-netter with 21 seconds to go that sealed the victory. David Legwand and Alexander Radulov scored in the second period for the Preds, who lost Games 1 and 2 at the Joe Louis Arena.

Pavel Datsyuk, Jiri Hudler and Kris Draper helped give the Wings a 3-2 edge until Suter tied it up with 3:57 left. Arnott scored only 9 seconds later to put the Red Wings in a hole for the first time in the series..

This was Legwand’s first game back after missing 14 straight with a bone bruise.

Pens Go Up 3-0

Sidney Crosby got the game-winner a mere twelve seconds into the third as the Penguins scored three third period goals to beat Ottawa 4-1.

Jordan Staal and Marian Hossa got the other tallies in the final period, and Maxime Talbot scored in the second for the Pens who are now a game away from sweeping last year’s Eastern Conference champion.

Nick Foligno got the Senators only goal in Daniel Alfredsson’s return to the lineup.

Sean Avery Causes Rule Change

New York Rangers agitator Sean Avery has forced the NHL to make a rule banning players from waving their arms or sticks in front of a goalie’s face. Any attempt to block the goalie’s view while not trying to make a play will be whistled as unsportsmanlike conduct and will result in a minor penalty.

In last night’s Game 3 of the Devils/Rangers series, Avery stationed himself in front of the New Jersey net and proceeded to use the aforementioned method of waving his stick to screen Devils goalie Martin Brodeur. Avery actually ended up scoring later during the play on assist from Scott Gomez, after he had turned back to the action.

The Devils eventually prevailed 4-3 in OT.

Sharks Blow Three Goal Lead

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead 3:33 into the first period, the Sharks managed to lose, in regulation, 4-3 to the Flames. Curtis Joseph replaced Miikka Kiprusoff after the early goals and kept the net empty the rest of the way.

Evgeni Nabokov allowed four goals, one that wasn’t really his fault. The puck hit Marc-Edouard Vlasic twice before getting past Nabokov.

Cory Sarich helped start the comeback when he nailed Sharks captain Patrick Marleau, sending him into the boards and bloodying Marleau’s face. After the penalties had been assessed following the ensuing scrum, Calgary came out with a man-advantage. 28 seconds into the penalty, Jarome Iginla scored the Flames first goal.

Former Shark Owen Nolan got the game-winner with a little under four minutes to go. The Flames are now up 2-1 in the series.