Category: Sports/Hockey/NHL

St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington didn’t lose any sleep when he was informed by coach Craig Berube that he would be starting for the first time this post-season on Sunday.

“He’s always the same, he doesn’t give me much of a reaction,” Berube said.

Instead, Binnington let his play do the talking.

Jordan Kyrou and David Perron each scored twice and Ryan O’Reilly added a goal and two assists. Perron also had an assist for St. Louis.

Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy scored for Minnesota. Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves.

Game 5 is Tuesday night at St. Paul, Minnesota, before returning to St. Louis for Game 6 on Thursday.

Binnington, who had lost his previous nine post-season starts, picked up his first playoff win since beating Boston in Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. He denied Kaprizov from point-blank range late in the second period. Binnington also stopped Mats Zuccarello on a 2-on-1 breakout midway through the final period.

“I felt prepared,” Binnington said. “I felt pretty good.”

Binnington had been supplanted by Ville Husso, who have up nine goals on 59 shots combined in Games 2 and 3 after shutting out the Wild with 37 saves in the opener.

Coach Craig Berube said he went with Binnington as a hunch.

“We wanted to make a switch and just change the momentum and luck a little bit,” Berube said.

Kyrou and Perron scored 54 seconds apart in the second period to break a 1-1 tie.,

Perron converted the go-ahead score on a shot that squeezed past Fleury towards the net. Minnesota forward Marcus Foligno tried to keep the puck from rolling across the line, but he flipped it off the back of Fleury and into the net.

Kyrou got his second of the game to push the lead to 3-1 with a shot off a pass from Ryan O’Reilly, who assisted on both second-period goals.

“Obviously, we wanted to come out hot, and come out strong,” Kyrou said. “We did that today and we should continue to do it all series long.”

Boldy cut the deficit to 3-2 by scoring off a scramble in from of the net 2:39 into the final period.

Perron added an empty net goal with 1:58 remaining, and O’Reilly had a power-play goal with 1 minute left to cap the scoring.

St. Louis struck first when Kyrou pounced on his own rebound just 4:19 into the game.

Kaprizov tied it 1-1 with his fifth goal of the series off a pass from Jared Spurgeon with 5:54 left in the opening period.

Kaprivoz, who recorded the first hat trick in post-season franchise history in Game 2, was wide open in the slot.

His five goals ties him with Wes Walz and Marian Gaborik for most goals in a series. Walz and Gaborik each scored five times in the 2003 Western Conference semifinals against Vancouver.

“It’s not one guy, it’s the Minnesota Wild that didn’t get to our game quick enough,” Minnesota coach Dean Evason said.. “In the third period we did. But it was a little too late.”

Marchand, Bergeron lead Bruins to series-tying victory

Brad Marchand raced toward the empty net, and there was nothing Carolina defenceman Tony DeAngelo could do except throw his stick at the puck. Forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi shattered his across the goal in frustration.

It’s the playoffs, and Marchand is at his best — scoring, passing and getting under his opponent’s skin.

“It’s a time he loves to play, and he shows it,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said after Marchand’s two-goal, three-assist game in Boston’s 5-2 Game 4 victory over the Hurricanes on Sunday tied the first-round playoff series at 2.

Patrice Bergeron had a goal and two assists and drew a high-sticking double minor from Sebastian Aho at the end of the second period that gave the Bruins a 5-on-3 and left their captain with a black eye and several stitches.

Sixty-eight seconds after the penalty, and 44 seconds into the third period, Marchand scored to break a 2-2 tie.

Rookie Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves for his second straight win, and David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist.

The series returns to Carolina for Game 5 on Tuesday night.

And now, the Bruins are assured a Game 6 in Boston on Thursday.

“This is what every kid’s kind of hoping — to get that opportunity playing for that Cup,” Marchand said. “These are the most fun games to play in, when there’s high emotion, high intensity and the most is on the line. If you can’t play in these games, I don’t know what you’re playing for.”

Jake DeBrusk also scored for the Bruins, who scratched top defenceman Charlie McAvoy after he went into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol about an hour before the opening faceoff. No. 2 defenceman Hampus Lindholm has been out since a hit to the head in Game 2.

“We’re playing for our season,” Marchand said. “It’s really tough when you lose guys like that, but here’s a lot of pride in the room, a lot of character We’ve always shown that.”

Brett Pesce and Jordan Staal scored for Carolina, and Antti Raanta returned to stop 23 shots for the Metropolitan Division champions.

Pesce gave Carolina the lead six minutes into the game, the fourth straight time the Hurricanes have scored first — the seventh time, if you count their three regular-season wins over Boston.

In the last 90 seconds of the second period, Marchand backhanded the puck into Raanta and it wound up in the crease just sitting there for DeBrusk to clean up.

Brind’Amour challenged for goalie interference, but the call stood. That gave Boston a power play, and it became a 5-on-3 when Aho cut Bergeron’s eye.

Boston still had 44 seconds on the 5-on-3 and 2:58 after that on the double-minor when the third period started. With one second left in the two-man advantage, Marchand wristed one into the net to give Boston its first lead of the day.

Pastrnak added an insurance goal five minutes later, and Marchand put in an empty-netter.

The NHL on Sunday fined forwards Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov $5,000 US for high-sticking violations in Saturday’s playoff games.

The fines are the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. Neither forward was penalized in their respective games.

Benn, the Dallas captain, was fined for high-sticking Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane during the Stars’ 4-2 home win in Game 3.

The Stars have a 2-1 lead in the first-round series, which resumes Monday with Game 4 in Dallas.

Benn, 32, has not scored in the series. He had 18 goals and 46 points in 82 games in the regular season.

Kuznetsov, 29, was fined for high-sticking Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari during the Capitals’ 6-1 home win in Game 3.

Washington leads the first-round series 2-1 and hosts Game 4 on Monday night.

Kuznetsov, who has one goal in the series, amassed 24 goals and 78 points in 79 contests during the regular season.

The NHL on Sunday fined forwards Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov $5,000 US for high-sticking violations in Saturday’s playoff games.

The fines are the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. Neither forward was penalized in their respective games.

Benn, the Dallas captain, was fined for high-sticking Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane during the Stars’ 4-2 home win in Game 3.

The Stars have a 2-1 lead in the first-round series, which resumes Monday with Game 4 in Dallas.

Benn, 32, has not scored in the series. He had 18 goals and 46 points in 82 games in the regular season.

Kuznetsov, 29, was fined for high-sticking Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari during the Capitals’ 6-1 home win in Game 3.

Washington leads the first-round series 2-1 and hosts Game 4 on Monday night.

Kuznetsov, who has one goal in the series, amassed 24 goals and 78 points in 79 contests during the regular season.

The NHL on Sunday fined forwards Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov $5,000 US for high-sticking violations in Saturday’s playoff games.

The fines are the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. Neither forward was penalized in their respective games.

Benn, the Dallas captain, was fined for high-sticking Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane during the Stars’ 4-2 home win in Game 3.

The Stars have a 2-1 lead in the first-round series, which resumes Monday with Game 4 in Dallas.

Benn, 32, has not scored in the series. He had 18 goals and 46 points in 82 games in the regular season.

Kuznetsov, 29, was fined for high-sticking Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari during the Capitals’ 6-1 home win in Game 3.

Washington leads the first-round series 2-1 and hosts Game 4 on Monday night.

Kuznetsov, who has one goal in the series, amassed 24 goals and 78 points in 79 contests during the regular season.

The NHL on Sunday fined forwards Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov $5,000 US for high-sticking violations in Saturday’s playoff games.

The fines are the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. Neither forward was penalized in their respective games.

Benn, the Dallas captain, was fined for high-sticking Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane during the Stars’ 4-2 home win in Game 3.

The Stars have a 2-1 lead in the first-round series, which resumes Monday with Game 4 in Dallas.

Benn, 32, has not scored in the series. He had 18 goals and 46 points in 82 games in the regular season.

Kuznetsov, 29, was fined for high-sticking Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari during the Capitals’ 6-1 home win in Game 3.

Washington leads the first-round series 2-1 and hosts Game 4 on Monday night.

Kuznetsov, who has one goal in the series, amassed 24 goals and 78 points in 79 contests during the regular season.

Joe Pavelski’s first home playoff game for the Dallas Stars was a memorable one.

The 37-year-old veteran scored both the equalizing and winning goals for the Stars in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames to a take a 2-1 lead in their playoff series.

“First game here in Dallas in front of theses fans in the playoffs, it lived up to it,” Pavelski said. “I’d heard nothing but great things. Nice to get that win and take another step.”

Trevor Lewis and Elias Lindholm replied for the Flames with Jacob Markstrom turning away 28 of 31 shots in Calgary’s net.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven affair is Monday in Dallas before returning to Calgary for Wednesday’s Game 5.

WATCH | Pavelski sparks Stars’ comeback win over Flames:

Pair of goals by Joe Pavelski gives Stars 2-1 series lead over Flames

10 hours ago

Duration 2:04

Joe Pavelski scored twice as Dallas defeated Calgary 4-2 in game three giving the Stars a 2-1 series lead. 2:04

If necessary, Game 6 is Friday back in Dallas and a Game 7 would be Sunday in Calgary.

After Pavelski’s signing in 2019, the Stars didn’t have a home playoff game until Saturday.

Dallas reached the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton’s 2020 playoff bubble where they lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Stars fell short of the post-season last year.

The Flames (50-21-11) topped the Pacific Division and the Stars (46-30-6) earned the Western Conference’s first wild-card berth.

Calgary opened the conference quarterfinal with a 1-0 win before falling 2-0 to the Stars at the Saddledome.

When a best-of-seven series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 holds an all-time series record of 228-110 (.675), according to NHL statisticians.

‘There’s no panic in our room’

“Win one game, we’ve got home ice back and that’s the goal coming in here,” Flames forward Blake Coleman said. “There’s no panic in our room.”

Pavelski scored his second of the game and the first power-play goal of the series for the Stars — after going 0-for-11 — at 10:05 of the third period for the go-ahead goal.

His 14th career playoff game-winner is the most among active NHL players, according to the Stars.

“He’s always around the net. He knows there’s a timing to get there,” Stars head coach Rick Bowness said. “There’s a timing anticipating the shot. He’s got it down pat.

With Coleman in the box for laying his stick on Pavelski’s arm, the latter potted a rebound off a Vladislav Namestnikov shot for his third goal of the series.

“Penalty with seven minutes left, you can’t take it,” Coleman said.

Oettinger denied Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau on a breakaway with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

“Hard-fought, close games,” said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. “Breakaway with about two or three minutes left. Guy’s got to put it away. Their job.”

Pavelski pulled the hosts even at 11:41 of the second period.

“You see the puck’s coming, you try to get free and feel like you’re boxed out, so you’re just trying to get to the next space,” Pavelski said.

“It’s nice when the pucks lay there for you and you’ve got some space to work with them.”

The Stars continued to give the Flames little real estate in front of Oettinger and force shooters to the outside, although Calgary’s first goal scored by Lewis was from close range.

The Flames were both more responsible with the puck and more of a match physically with the Stars in Game 2, but goals remained scarce in the post-season from a team that ranked sixth in the NHL in that department.

“We’ve just got to dig down a little deeper and find out what we’re made of and hit those second and third efforts,” Lewis said.

“Get to the net and get those greasy goals.”

Flames’ build up to having lead

Calgary led 2-1 at 3:40 of the second period when Lindholm capped a tic-tac-toe passing sequence by Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk with a one-timer.

Lewis batted in a rebound from Oettinger’s doorstep after a Milan Lucic effort there at 13:45 of the first period. Bowness was denied a challenge for goaltender interference by Lucic.

Faksa scored a four-on-four goal for the Stars at 9:21 of the opening period. Dallas and Calgary have played eight minutes of four-on-four in back-to-back games.

“We’ve got to find a way to finish,” Coleman said. “The strength of our game is five-on-five and we spent too much time with ticky-tacky, four-on-four hockey.”

Tkachuk and Stars defenceman John Klingberg continued their running feud in the series with a fight 82 seconds after the opening faceoff.

They tangled and took coincidental minors less than a minute into Game 2.

Joe Pavelski’s first home playoff game for the Dallas Stars was a memorable one.

The 37-year-old veteran scored both the equalizing and winning goals for the Stars in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames to a take a 2-1 lead in their playoff series.

“First game here in Dallas in front of theses fans in the playoffs, it lived up to it,” Pavelski said. “I’d heard nothing but great things. Nice to get that win and take another step.”

Trevor Lewis and Elias Lindholm replied for the Flames with Jacob Markstrom turning away 28 of 31 shots in Calgary’s net.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven affair is Monday in Dallas before returning to Calgary for Wednesday’s Game 5.

WATCH | Pavelski sparks Stars’ comeback win over Flames:

Pair of goals by Joe Pavelski gives Stars 2-1 series lead over Flames

1 day ago

Duration 2:04

Joe Pavelski scored twice as Dallas defeated Calgary 4-2 in game three giving the Stars a 2-1 series lead. 2:04

If necessary, Game 6 is Friday back in Dallas and a Game 7 would be Sunday in Calgary.

After Pavelski’s signing in 2019, the Stars didn’t have a home playoff game until Saturday.

Dallas reached the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton’s 2020 playoff bubble where they lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Stars fell short of the post-season last year.

The Flames (50-21-11) topped the Pacific Division and the Stars (46-30-6) earned the Western Conference’s first wild-card berth.

Calgary opened the conference quarterfinal with a 1-0 win before falling 2-0 to the Stars at the Saddledome.

When a best-of-seven series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 holds an all-time series record of 228-110 (.675), according to NHL statisticians.

‘There’s no panic in our room’

“Win one game, we’ve got home ice back and that’s the goal coming in here,” Flames forward Blake Coleman said. “There’s no panic in our room.”

Pavelski scored his second of the game and the first power-play goal of the series for the Stars — after going 0-for-11 — at 10:05 of the third period for the go-ahead goal.

His 14th career playoff game-winner is the most among active NHL players, according to the Stars.

“He’s always around the net. He knows there’s a timing to get there,” Stars head coach Rick Bowness said. “There’s a timing anticipating the shot. He’s got it down pat.

With Coleman in the box for laying his stick on Pavelski’s arm, the latter potted a rebound off a Vladislav Namestnikov shot for his third goal of the series.

“Penalty with seven minutes left, you can’t take it,” Coleman said.

Oettinger denied Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau on a breakaway with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

“Hard-fought, close games,” said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. “Breakaway with about two or three minutes left. Guy’s got to put it away. Their job.”

Pavelski pulled the hosts even at 11:41 of the second period.

“You see the puck’s coming, you try to get free and feel like you’re boxed out, so you’re just trying to get to the next space,” Pavelski said.

“It’s nice when the pucks lay there for you and you’ve got some space to work with them.”

The Stars continued to give the Flames little real estate in front of Oettinger and force shooters to the outside, although Calgary’s first goal scored by Lewis was from close range.

The Flames were both more responsible with the puck and more of a match physically with the Stars in Game 2, but goals remained scarce in the post-season from a team that ranked sixth in the NHL in that department.

“We’ve just got to dig down a little deeper and find out what we’re made of and hit those second and third efforts,” Lewis said.

“Get to the net and get those greasy goals.”

Flames’ build up to having lead

Calgary led 2-1 at 3:40 of the second period when Lindholm capped a tic-tac-toe passing sequence by Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk with a one-timer.

Lewis batted in a rebound from Oettinger’s doorstep after a Milan Lucic effort there at 13:45 of the first period. Bowness was denied a challenge for goaltender interference by Lucic.

Faksa scored a four-on-four goal for the Stars at 9:21 of the opening period. Dallas and Calgary have played eight minutes of four-on-four in back-to-back games.

“We’ve got to find a way to finish,” Coleman said. “The strength of our game is five-on-five and we spent too much time with ticky-tacky, four-on-four hockey.”

Tkachuk and Stars defenceman John Klingberg continued their running feud in the series with a fight 82 seconds after the opening faceoff.

They tangled and took coincidental minors less than a minute into Game 2.

Joe Pavelski’s first home playoff game for the Dallas Stars was a memorable one.

The 37-year-old veteran scored both the equalizing and winning goals for the Stars in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames to a take a 2-1 lead in their playoff series.

“First game here in Dallas in front of theses fans in the playoffs, it lived up to it,” Pavelski said. “I’d heard nothing but great things. Nice to get that win and take another step.”

Trevor Lewis and Elias Lindholm replied for the Flames with Jacob Markstrom turning away 28 of 31 shots in Calgary’s net.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven affair is Monday in Dallas before returning to Calgary for Wednesday’s Game 5.

WATCH | Pavelski sparks Stars’ comeback win over Flames:

Pair of goals by Joe Pavelski gives Stars 2-1 series lead over Flames

2 days ago

Duration 2:04

Joe Pavelski scored twice as Dallas defeated Calgary 4-2 in game three giving the Stars a 2-1 series lead. 2:04

If necessary, Game 6 is Friday back in Dallas and a Game 7 would be Sunday in Calgary.

After Pavelski’s signing in 2019, the Stars didn’t have a home playoff game until Saturday.

Dallas reached the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton’s 2020 playoff bubble where they lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Stars fell short of the post-season last year.

The Flames (50-21-11) topped the Pacific Division and the Stars (46-30-6) earned the Western Conference’s first wild-card berth.

Calgary opened the conference quarterfinal with a 1-0 win before falling 2-0 to the Stars at the Saddledome.

When a best-of-seven series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 holds an all-time series record of 228-110 (.675), according to NHL statisticians.

‘There’s no panic in our room’

“Win one game, we’ve got home ice back and that’s the goal coming in here,” Flames forward Blake Coleman said. “There’s no panic in our room.”

Pavelski scored his second of the game and the first power-play goal of the series for the Stars — after going 0-for-11 — at 10:05 of the third period for the go-ahead goal.

His 14th career playoff game-winner is the most among active NHL players, according to the Stars.

“He’s always around the net. He knows there’s a timing to get there,” Stars head coach Rick Bowness said. “There’s a timing anticipating the shot. He’s got it down pat.

With Coleman in the box for laying his stick on Pavelski’s arm, the latter potted a rebound off a Vladislav Namestnikov shot for his third goal of the series.

“Penalty with seven minutes left, you can’t take it,” Coleman said.

Oettinger denied Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau on a breakaway with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

“Hard-fought, close games,” said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. “Breakaway with about two or three minutes left. Guy’s got to put it away. Their job.”

Pavelski pulled the hosts even at 11:41 of the second period.

“You see the puck’s coming, you try to get free and feel like you’re boxed out, so you’re just trying to get to the next space,” Pavelski said.

“It’s nice when the pucks lay there for you and you’ve got some space to work with them.”

The Stars continued to give the Flames little real estate in front of Oettinger and force shooters to the outside, although Calgary’s first goal scored by Lewis was from close range.

The Flames were both more responsible with the puck and more of a match physically with the Stars in Game 2, but goals remained scarce in the post-season from a team that ranked sixth in the NHL in that department.

“We’ve just got to dig down a little deeper and find out what we’re made of and hit those second and third efforts,” Lewis said.

“Get to the net and get those greasy goals.”

Flames’ build up to having lead

Calgary led 2-1 at 3:40 of the second period when Lindholm capped a tic-tac-toe passing sequence by Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk with a one-timer.

Lewis batted in a rebound from Oettinger’s doorstep after a Milan Lucic effort there at 13:45 of the first period. Bowness was denied a challenge for goaltender interference by Lucic.

Faksa scored a four-on-four goal for the Stars at 9:21 of the opening period. Dallas and Calgary have played eight minutes of four-on-four in back-to-back games.

“We’ve got to find a way to finish,” Coleman said. “The strength of our game is five-on-five and we spent too much time with ticky-tacky, four-on-four hockey.”

Tkachuk and Stars defenceman John Klingberg continued their running feud in the series with a fight 82 seconds after the opening faceoff.

They tangled and took coincidental minors less than a minute into Game 2.

Joe Pavelski’s first home playoff game for the Dallas Stars was a memorable one.

The 37-year-old veteran scored both the equalizing and winning goals for the Stars in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames to a take a 2-1 lead in their playoff series.

“First game here in Dallas in front of theses fans in the playoffs, it lived up to it,” Pavelski said. “I’d heard nothing but great things. Nice to get that win and take another step.”

Trevor Lewis and Elias Lindholm replied for the Flames with Jacob Markstrom turning away 28 of 31 shots in Calgary’s net.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven affair is Monday in Dallas before returning to Calgary for Wednesday’s Game 5.

WATCH | Pavelski sparks Stars’ comeback win over Flames:

Pair of goals by Joe Pavelski gives Stars 2-1 series lead over Flames

14 hours ago

Duration 2:04

Joe Pavelski scored twice as Dallas defeated Calgary 4-2 in game three giving the Stars a 2-1 series lead. 2:04

If necessary, Game 6 is Friday back in Dallas and a Game 7 would be Sunday in Calgary.

After Pavelski’s signing in 2019, the Stars didn’t have a home playoff game until Saturday.

Dallas reached the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton’s 2020 playoff bubble where they lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Stars fell short of the post-season last year.

The Flames (50-21-11) topped the Pacific Division and the Stars (46-30-6) earned the Western Conference’s first wild-card berth.

Calgary opened the conference quarterfinal with a 1-0 win before falling 2-0 to the Stars at the Saddledome.

When a best-of-seven series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 holds an all-time series record of 228-110 (.675), according to NHL statisticians.

‘There’s no panic in our room’

“Win one game, we’ve got home ice back and that’s the goal coming in here,” Flames forward Blake Coleman said. “There’s no panic in our room.”

Pavelski scored his second of the game and the first power-play goal of the series for the Stars — after going 0-for-11 — at 10:05 of the third period for the go-ahead goal.

His 14th career playoff game-winner is the most among active NHL players, according to the Stars.

“He’s always around the net. He knows there’s a timing to get there,” Stars head coach Rick Bowness said. “There’s a timing anticipating the shot. He’s got it down pat.

With Coleman in the box for laying his stick on Pavelski’s arm, the latter potted a rebound off a Vladislav Namestnikov shot for his third goal of the series.

“Penalty with seven minutes left, you can’t take it,” Coleman said.

Oettinger denied Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau on a breakaway with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

“Hard-fought, close games,” said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. “Breakaway with about two or three minutes left. Guy’s got to put it away. Their job.”

Pavelski pulled the hosts even at 11:41 of the second period.

“You see the puck’s coming, you try to get free and feel like you’re boxed out, so you’re just trying to get to the next space,” Pavelski said.

“It’s nice when the pucks lay there for you and you’ve got some space to work with them.”

The Stars continued to give the Flames little real estate in front of Oettinger and force shooters to the outside, although Calgary’s first goal scored by Lewis was from close range.

The Flames were both more responsible with the puck and more of a match physically with the Stars in Game 2, but goals remained scarce in the post-season from a team that ranked sixth in the NHL in that department.

“We’ve just got to dig down a little deeper and find out what we’re made of and hit those second and third efforts,” Lewis said.

“Get to the net and get those greasy goals.”

Flames’ build up to having lead

Calgary led 2-1 at 3:40 of the second period when Lindholm capped a tic-tac-toe passing sequence by Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk with a one-timer.

Lewis batted in a rebound from Oettinger’s doorstep after a Milan Lucic effort there at 13:45 of the first period. Bowness was denied a challenge for goaltender interference by Lucic.

Faksa scored a four-on-four goal for the Stars at 9:21 of the opening period. Dallas and Calgary have played eight minutes of four-on-four in back-to-back games.

“We’ve got to find a way to finish,” Coleman said. “The strength of our game is five-on-five and we spent too much time with ticky-tacky, four-on-four hockey.”

Tkachuk and Stars defenceman John Klingberg continued their running feud in the series with a fight 82 seconds after the opening faceoff.

They tangled and took coincidental minors less than a minute into Game 2.

Joe Pavelski’s first home playoff game for the Dallas Stars was a memorable one.

The 37-year-old veteran scored both the equalizing and winning goals for the Stars in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames to a take a 2-1 lead in their playoff series.

“First game here in Dallas in front of theses fans in the playoffs, it lived up to it,” Pavelski said. “I’d heard nothing but great things. Nice to get that win and take another step.”

Trevor Lewis and Elias Lindholm replied for the Flames with Jacob Markstrom turning away 28 of 31 shots in Calgary’s net.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven affair is Monday in Dallas before returning to Calgary for Wednesday’s Game 5.

WATCH | Pavelski sparks Stars’ comeback win over Flames:

Pair of goals by Joe Pavelski gives Stars 2-1 series lead over Flames

1 day ago

Duration 2:04

Joe Pavelski scored twice as Dallas defeated Calgary 4-2 in game three giving the Stars a 2-1 series lead. 2:04

If necessary, Game 6 is Friday back in Dallas and a Game 7 would be Sunday in Calgary.

After Pavelski’s signing in 2019, the Stars didn’t have a home playoff game until Saturday.

Dallas reached the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton’s 2020 playoff bubble where they lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Stars fell short of the post-season last year.

The Flames (50-21-11) topped the Pacific Division and the Stars (46-30-6) earned the Western Conference’s first wild-card berth.

Calgary opened the conference quarterfinal with a 1-0 win before falling 2-0 to the Stars at the Saddledome.

When a best-of-seven series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game 3 holds an all-time series record of 228-110 (.675), according to NHL statisticians.

‘There’s no panic in our room’

“Win one game, we’ve got home ice back and that’s the goal coming in here,” Flames forward Blake Coleman said. “There’s no panic in our room.”

Pavelski scored his second of the game and the first power-play goal of the series for the Stars — after going 0-for-11 — at 10:05 of the third period for the go-ahead goal.

His 14th career playoff game-winner is the most among active NHL players, according to the Stars.

“He’s always around the net. He knows there’s a timing to get there,” Stars head coach Rick Bowness said. “There’s a timing anticipating the shot. He’s got it down pat.

With Coleman in the box for laying his stick on Pavelski’s arm, the latter potted a rebound off a Vladislav Namestnikov shot for his third goal of the series.

“Penalty with seven minutes left, you can’t take it,” Coleman said.

Oettinger denied Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau on a breakaway with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

“Hard-fought, close games,” said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter. “Breakaway with about two or three minutes left. Guy’s got to put it away. Their job.”

Pavelski pulled the hosts even at 11:41 of the second period.

“You see the puck’s coming, you try to get free and feel like you’re boxed out, so you’re just trying to get to the next space,” Pavelski said.

“It’s nice when the pucks lay there for you and you’ve got some space to work with them.”

The Stars continued to give the Flames little real estate in front of Oettinger and force shooters to the outside, although Calgary’s first goal scored by Lewis was from close range.

The Flames were both more responsible with the puck and more of a match physically with the Stars in Game 2, but goals remained scarce in the post-season from a team that ranked sixth in the NHL in that department.

“We’ve just got to dig down a little deeper and find out what we’re made of and hit those second and third efforts,” Lewis said.

“Get to the net and get those greasy goals.”

Flames’ build up to having lead

Calgary led 2-1 at 3:40 of the second period when Lindholm capped a tic-tac-toe passing sequence by Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk with a one-timer.

Lewis batted in a rebound from Oettinger’s doorstep after a Milan Lucic effort there at 13:45 of the first period. Bowness was denied a challenge for goaltender interference by Lucic.

Faksa scored a four-on-four goal for the Stars at 9:21 of the opening period. Dallas and Calgary have played eight minutes of four-on-four in back-to-back games.

“We’ve got to find a way to finish,” Coleman said. “The strength of our game is five-on-five and we spent too much time with ticky-tacky, four-on-four hockey.”

Tkachuk and Stars defenceman John Klingberg continued their running feud in the series with a fight 82 seconds after the opening faceoff.

They tangled and took coincidental minors less than a minute into Game 2.