Final Score: Boston 4, Washington 3
Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Zdeno Chara made sure overtime wasn't needed to determine a victor. The bruising Boston defenseman scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:53 remaining in the third period and the Bruins earned a 4-3 win at Verizon Center for a 2-1 lead in their first-round series with the Washington Capitals. Chara assisted on two other goals for second-seeded Boston, which got 29 saves from Tim Thomas. The Bruins traveled to the nation's capital after splitting a pair of low-scoring duels at home. Boston and Washington combined for just four goals in the first two games, with the defending Stanley Cup champions winning the opener 1-0 in overtime and the Capitals prevailing 2-1 in double-overtime. Braden Holtby finished with 25 saves for Washington.
Final Score: NY Rangers 1, Ottawa 0
Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Henrik Lundqvist posted his first shutout in these playoffs and the New York Rangers took a 1-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game 3 of this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Lundqvist stopped 39 shots for his fourth postseason whitewash and Brian Boyle scored his third goal of the postseason in the third period for the Rangers, who bounced back from a Game 2 loss to take a 2-1 lead in this best-of-seven series. Craig Anderson did all he could as he stopped 22-of-23 shots, but it was not enough as the Senators are now in the hole and will have to rally if they want to win a playoff series for the first time since going to the Cup Finals in 2007. Ottawa played the game without captain Daniel Alfredsson, who suffered a concussion in Game 2 after he was elbowed in the head by New York's Carl Hagelin, who served the first of a three-game suspension for the hit. Alfredsson had skated in Monday morning's practice and had passed a baseline test, but was a scratch prior to the game. Game 4 of this set is scheduled for Wednesday in Ottawa.
Final Score: St. Louis 4, San Jose 3
San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - Andy McDonald posted a goal and two assists as St. Louis grabbed the lead in this Western Conference quarterfinal series with a 4-3 win over San Jose in Game 3. Brian Elliott, who combined with Jaroslav Halak in a shutout in Game 2, got the start on Monday as Halak was ruled out due to a lower-body injury he suffered from a collision with teammate Barret Jackman in Game 2. Elliott made 26 stops on Monday for the win. Alexander Steen, Patrik Berglund and Jason Arnott each posted a goal and an assist for the Blues, who have won the past two games in the series to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven affair. Colin White and Logan Couture scored late to get the game within one, but it was not enough as the Sharks will look to even things up on Thursday in Game 4 in San Jose. Antti Niemi gave up all four goals on 27 shots in the loss.
