Predators 4, Sharks 3

Predators 4, Sharks 3
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Adam Hall scored the go-ahead goal at 12:06 of the third period by redirecting a shot by Paul Kariya, who assisted on all four of Nashville's power-play goals. Mike Sillinger scored and had an assist, and Martin Erat and rookie defenseman Shea Weber both netted their first career playoff goals as the Predators showed why they enjoyed the NHL's best home-ice advantage this season. "Anytime your best player gets on the scoreboard, you usually do win," Sillinger said of Kariya. "He finds a way to pick up points, and that's what your best players have to do to be successful. He makes great plays. He's got great speed, great vision. He's a scorer, he's a passer."Nashville leads the best-of-seven Western Conference series 1-0, with Game 2 back in Tennessee on Sunday. The fifth-seeded Sharks had won eight of nine, but only got one assist from NHL scoring champion Joe Thornton. Mike Smith scored 4:12 in for the Sharks, who went 30-8 in the regular season when taking a 1-0 lead. Nils Ekman was set up by Thornton in the second period, and Scott Thornton tied it 3-3 in the third. Chris Mason, who has won seven straight games, made 31 saves in his playoff debut. "It's a good start for us," said Kariya, who has 11 points in his last four games. "It's going to be a long series. That's a great hockey club over there. Our power play was clicking tonight, and [Chris Mason] Mase played very well and managed to get the win."
Senators 4, Lightning 1
OTTAWA -- Martin Havlat and Jason Spezza scored power-play goals 1:07 apart early in the third period and Mike Fisher added a short-handed goal as Ottawa rallied to beat Tampa Bay Lightning in the opener of the Eastern Conference playoff series. Daniel Alfredsson scored into an empty net with 1:02 remaining and Ray Emery made 35 saves for the Senators in his postseason debut. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be Sunday in Ottawa. Emery, playing in place of injured goalie Dominik Hasek, also earned an assist on Spezza's go-ahead goal 6:13 into the third. Vincent Lecavalier opened the scoring on a two-man advantage late in the first and Tampa Bay held a 1-0 lead through 40 minutes.
Associated Press