VANCOUVER, B.C. — Patrick Sharp scored twice to tie the game, and David Bolland put Chicago ahead with a short-handed breakaway to help the Blackhawks tie their second- round playoff series at a game apiece with a 6-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
Down 2-0 after power-play goals by Sami Salo and Alexander Edler in the first seven minutes, Chicago took over Game 2 of the series with a strong second period.
Sharp put the Blackhawks on the board midway through, sliding a rebound between the legs of Roberto Luongo, then wiring a one-timer over the goalie’s glove during a 5-on-3 power play three minutes later.
Bolland gave Chicago its first lead of the series with 3:10 left, beating Luongo with a strong forehand deke after being left all alone behind the defense.
In Game 1 the Blackhawks rallied from three goals behind in the third period only to lose in the final minutes. This time they kept going.
Ben Eager, robbed by Luongo earlier, extended the lead 2:13 into the third period, converting a nice pass from Adam Burish, who had two assists. Patrick Kane added his third goal of the series three minutes later.
Capitals 3, Penguins 2
WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin contributed a power-play goal, yet it was a few of his unheralded teammates who made the difference.
Tomas Fleischmann scored the tiebreaking goal with 18:14 remaining, and rookie goal- tender Simeon Varlamov stopped 34 shots as Washington won Game 1 of the series.
David Steckel contributed his first goal of the playoffs to help Washington to its first four-game winning streak in the playoffs since 1991. The Capitals advanced to the second-round series by winning the last three games against the Rangers.
“You need secondary scoring in the playoffs and it was our time to step up and help the guys out and get some points,” Steckel said. “You’re not going to win games with only your first and second line because the defense is going to be keying on them.”
Sidney Crosby and Mark Eaton scored for the Penguins, who went 0-for-5 on the power play.
The Associated Press
