Lightning knock off capital in the opener, but Gagne comes early

WASHINGTON (AP) — if the Tampa Bay Lightning and goalkeeper his 41-year-old Dwayne Roloson (FSY), were exhausted, they sure hid it well. By James Lang, US Presswire

Lightning Center Steven Stamkos left, scores the go-ahead goal on goalie Michal Neuvirth as capitals defenseman John Erskine tries to help defensively. Tampa Bay won the series 4-2 in Washington.

By James Lang, US Presswire

Lightning Center Steven Stamkos left, scores the go-ahead goal on goalie Michal Neuvirth as capitals defenseman John Erskine tries to help defensively. Tampa Bay won the series 4-2 in Washington.

Sean Bergenheim (FSY) scored early, Steven Stamkos added the go-ahead goal on a power play, and Roloson made 26 saves, helping the lightning beat Alex Ovechkin (FSY) and the top-seeded Washington Capitals 4-2 on Friday night in game 1 of Eastern Conference semifinals.I don't know about us being tired, "said Bergenheim, who scored 2: 12 into the game. "I don't feel right now."Steve Downie (FSY) had a goal and an assist, Dominic Moore (FSY) added an empty-netter with 40 seconds left for the fifth-seeded Lightning, who have won four straight games since falling behind Pittsburgh 3-1 in the first round.Roloson got the shutout, and Bergenheim since the only goal as Tampa Bay won the Pittsburgh 1-0 in game 7 on Wednesday night. The lightning flew straight to Washington that night, crawling in their hotel beds after 3 a.m. Thursday. They were back on the ice for a faceoff 7 p.m. Friday. "It was good for us, "the center of Tampa Bay, Nate Thompson (FSY), said. "Back on it and don't have much time. We are still in the game. "They were.Confuse the Capitals was held without Ovechkin. a point and limited to two shots, and Washington was 0-for-5 on the power game of strategy get-ahead-and-focus-on-defense of lightning — making penalty killers Tampa Bay 39-for-20 this postseason. "They become frustrating, capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "They just hesitate, and you're trying to push. They are very good at it. "Roloson only needed to make five saves in the third period. "We are surprised by the result tonight — but happy with it, "said the goalkeeper, acquired from the New York Islanders in the new year's day."We were lucky to win a hockey game. We had some hops ".This is true. For example, the lightning trailed 2-1, but he drew with 3: 43 left in the second half, when Downie was trying to center the puck, but his pass deflected off defenseman Scott Hannan to stick (FSY) and fluttered over goalie Michal Neuvirth (FSY) on right shoulder.And the goal of Stamkos came with 31. 6 seconds remaining in the period, when his initial attempt Neuvirth stopped, but the puck went right to the front, who put in the rebound.This power play came when Jason chimera (FSY) was sent off for roughing following a hit on Pavel Kubina (FSY), who hasn't played in the third period. That drew boos from the home fans. The boos only grew taller naturally when Stamkos converted chance extra-homem.Ending reverse the advantage to 2-1 Washington built with goals from Alexander Semin (FSY) and Eric Fehr (FSY).The lightning played most of Friday's game without veteran left wing Simon Gagne (FSY), which was helped to the dressing room after his helmet hit the ice when he fell hard after a hit by Hannan in the first period. The lightning said Gagne and Kubina would be re-evaluated Saturday Game 2 is Sunday night in Washington. Boudreau scolded his players for engaging in what he called "hockey" — the kind of style back-and-forth, gaping the capitals used depend on before making a concerted effort to concentrate on defense.In the first round, rookie Neuvirth — he is 18 years younger than Roloson — and the capitals allowed the New York Rangers scored a total of two goals in three games played in Washington. The Lightning surpassed that total in a span of two periods ".We played very nice and took sanctions, and that cost us, "said Ovechkin. "The first sentence, the last 10 minutes, we play our game. First 10 minutes, the second (period), we play good. After that, let's let them play their game. "While the Lightning could have been tired, the capitals could have been rusty. They wrapped up their series against the Rangers in five games on Saturday and had almost a week off. Boudreau made light of storyline "Rest vs. Rust" Thursday, but perhaps there was something to it.Neuvirth finished with 20 saves Friday. He entered the day leading the NHL with a 1. 38 goals-against average and, secondly, with a. 946 save percentage. No. 1 in Save category? Key Roloson .one Friday: The Lightning held the edge in special teams play. "You guys are taking routes of passage. Blocking shots, obviously. "Trying to take time and space," Thompson said. "And then his penalty-killer will be your best goalkeeper and Roli was for us. "Notes: Capitals D John Carlson (FSY) played just 36 seconds in the third period, and Boudreau said he was day-to-day. "I'm hoping he can go Sunday," Boudreau said. ... Nicklas Backstrom's Washington C (FSY) dry goal reached 13 games and acknowledged that he may be starting to try too hard to score. "That's what happens when you fight," he said. ... The capitals had an apparent goal waved off in the 13th minute, when officials ruled Brooks Laich (FSY) kicked the puck past Roloson.

Mobile Defense could help USA at World Championships

It may take a village to score a goal for Team USA at the World Championships in Slovakia, but coach Scott Gordon found ample reasons, as its title cast in Saturday's opener against Austria (10: 15 a.m. ETVersus). By Frederick Breedon, Getty Images

Cam Fowler of Anaheim is joining moving puck defensemen Jack Johnson and Kevin Shattenkirk on the U.S. Squad at the World Championships.

By Frederick Breedon, Getty Images

Cam Fowler of Anaheim is joining moving puck defensemen Jack Johnson and Kevin Shattenkirk on the U.S. Squad at the World Championships.

"We have a very good mix (defensemen) that we can get some offense," said Gordon. "Just having that ability back there will make us a little better because they are going to get the puck in situations better and we will be able to get out of the zone of cleaner".Center for New York Rangers Derek Stepan is the only American who scored 20 goals in the NHL this past season, but the Defense includes Cam Fowler of Anaheim, St. Louis ' Kevin Shattenkirk and Los Angeles ' Jack Johnson, which can move the puck. Gordon also appreciates that the Americans have one team skating should be able to match up well with the other teams "Have a lot of speed," said Gordon. "It will be interesting to see how this translates (in games)".Americans beat Austria in a game 3-2 pre-tournament games. "There is no easy game, "said Gordon. "These teams here play this tournament, like the Stanley Cup. They are very passionate. "The Canadians led Rick Nash are considered the team to beat in this tournament. "We went to the medal round two years ago, and every game we played was a nail-biter, "said Gordon. "That says a lot about how teams about the careful here and how hard work ... You can't take any team for granted. "Going into the tournament, the U.S. is playing Stepan with Blake Wheeler, who was a scorer of 18 for the Atlanta Thrashers. The third member of the line will be that Nashville Predators prospect Craig Smith, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, who was a front of point per game. "He looked well, not out of place at all, "said Gordon.

30 April: Austria, 10: 15 hours.

On May 2: Norway, 10: 15 hours.

May 4: Sweden, at 14: 15.

ET. U.S. games on Versus

Florida Panthers defenseman Clay Wilson also was impressive in practice ".He could end up being a rover for us, "said Gordon. "He is an offensive-minded. In the first game, he can even play some wing. "U.s. team last year was victorious in the preliminary round and finished 13th. This year's adjustment with Austria was more difficult than the Americans wanted to be. The United States if fell behind 2-0 before rallying. "They came to us very hard, and if we're playing on our heels, they will have the game for us, "said Gordon. "We have to start the game."On Thursday, Gordon, a former coach of the New York Islanders appointed Defender Atlanta Mark Stuart as the captain of the team. ""I know him since my days in Providence in the Boston organization and people in USA Hockey knows it, said Gordon. "We know him and how he carries himself. … It represents what you want your players like. "Mike Komisarek (Toronto), Mike Brown (Toronto), Jack Johnson (Los Angeles) and Paul Schwalbennest (Buffalo) are alternates.Johnson and Schwalbennest are not expected to arrive in time for opening Saturday in Kosice, Slovakia For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

Flyers know Bruins seek revenge, but I also know that we are in their heads

VOORHEES, N.J. — before their series clinching game 7 victory against the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien reminded his players that if they went on to win, would earn the right to avenge the second loss to the Philadelphia Flyers crush last year. By Barbara Johnston, US Presswire

Danny Brière says series Bruins last year: "we are using that to our advantage, knowing that never ended and we can always come back."

By Barbara Johnston, US Presswire

Danny Brière says series Bruins last year: "we are using that to our advantage, knowing that never ended and we can always come back."

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette, a master of motivation, could have done the same thing in a similar circumstance. Entitled "?I don't buy into that whole ' what happened last year or what someone says, "Laviolette said the morning after learning he will face Julien and the Bruins for a second consecutive year."They will play harder than they did last year because they lost? I don't think is possible. You're playing for the Stanley Cup. "Over the next two weeks, there will be plenty of references to epic collapse last year for the Bruins. Boston won the first three games of the series, only to see the lead vanish in four agonizing defeats, culminated by returning the flyers a 3-0 deficit in game 7. It is important to note, however, that the Bruins staged their own rally in their first round series against the Canadiens, coming back from a deficit of two games-to-none. They had gone 0-26 in series in which lost the first two games. "Is a new year, but it is clear that there are a lot of hatred between these teams, "Bruins center Brad Marchand said earlier this season on the handouts. "Always there's been a lot of bad blood, and I think the fans really want some revenge and beat them. That would be huge for our team and fans actually would enjoy that. "It is clear that the motivation for the Bruins is palpable, Flyers Center Danny Briere said that resilience of handouts should be a concern for the Bruins, who needed an overtime goal from Nathan Horton to dispose of the Canadiens and reach the second round. "They will use that as motivation, but we also know that we are on their heads, and that will be with them throughout the series, "Briere said."We are using that to our advantage, knowing that never ended and we can always come back. "— The Courier-Post is owned by Gannett, Publisher of USA TODAYFor more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

Sign of sabres coach Lindy Ruff to contract extension

BUFFALO (AP) — Lindy Ruff hasn't reached his final wish to bring the Stanley Cup to Buffalo, but at least he'll have a couple of years more to try.The Sabres signed Ruff to a multi-year contract extension Friday, keeping the coach ganhantes all-time franchise in the fold for another crack in a Championship that has eluded the team since its birth in 1970. "I'm very excited, "Ruff said at a press conference at the end of the season the Sabres that also included owner Terry Pegula, Ted Black President and General Manager Darcy Regier. "Our goal is to win the Cup, and I think we can win the Cup."Ruff, who coached in his 1,000th career NHL game and 100 career postseason game this season — all comes with the Sabres — refused an offer to have his contract extended by Tom Golisano before the former owner sold the team to billionaire Pennsylvania Pegulaumin February. "We are all very happy, said Pegula. after assuming the post of GM season 1996-97, Regier hired Ruff, who was an Assistant with the Florida Panthers at the time. Almost 14 years later, the couple remains apparently joined the hip.The two have suffered three changes of ownership, the franchise bankruptcy in 2003, five seasons of not qualifying for the playoffs and not advancing after the first round of the postseason to seven of the past nine seasons.But they also have been guided the Sabres for four Eastern Conference finals during his tenure, winning the trophy of the season and a devastating defeat final Stanley Cup to the Dallas Stars in 1999 when Brett Hull (FSY) scored in triple overtime in game 6 — a goal that still riles Ruff because skateboarding hull was within the Groove. "You need a certain amount of luck, and we had that, '' Regier said. "I am very grateful to be in the situation that I am and know what Lindy feels the same. You have to find ways of doing things better than other organizations. If you are down to 28, 29 or 30, there is a new game in town. "This season, the Sabres sunk at the bottom of the League after a miserable 3-9-2 Start and conversation began to shake on Ruff to be at the end of his leash. But the team turned things around with a wave of second part which culminated with a seventh place finish in the East and a first round playoff matchup with the Sabres from The Philadelphia Flyers finished the year on a 29-11-6 run, including a 16-4-4 after assumed Pegula. "Normally we have a team that went out to get a very good season, "said Ruff. "I thought we have renewed energy with new owner".There were 162 coaching changes in the NHL since assuming the Ruff. He is the third longest coach holder in four major professional sports leagues, behind only Tony LaRussa (St. Louis Cardinals) and Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs).Ruff also played 10 seasons for the Sabres after he was drafted in the second phase of the project 1979. Meanwhile, Sabres forward Paul Schwalbennest (FSY) was added to the United States team that will compete at the World Championships of ice hockey in Slovakiawhile defending rookie Marc-Andre Gragni was added to the Canadian team.

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Sharks Beat Red Wings in OT to take game 1

SAN JOSE (AP) — a series filled with some of the biggest stars from hockey and most talented players, was someone who spent almost the entire second half of the season in the minors that came with the biggest game — on his birthday no less. By Jason o. Watson, US Presswire

A group of sharks players surround center Benn Ferriero after he scored the winning goal in overtime against the Red Wings.

By Jason Watson, us Presswire.

A group of sharks players surround center Benn Ferriero after he scored the winning goal in overtime against the Red Wings.

Little used Benn Ferriero (FSY) scored 7: 03 into overtime for his playoff debut on a deflected goal that gave the San Jose Sharks a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night in game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. "You always have to be ready, "said Ferriero, who provided the perfect capper for your 24th birthday. "You never know when they are going to ask you. You will through practice and do everything possible to be ready to play. When your number gets called you've got to be ready. "Ferriero shot hit off Detroit defenceman Brad Stuart (FSY) stick and got past Jimmy Howard (FSY) for the game winner just seconds after the Red Wings had killed a penalty four minutes. Stuart hit his stick to the ice in disgust after the goal, as the Red Wings again fell behind his series for the Sharks. Ferriero has just seven goals in regular season games 57 career and played only once in the NHL after 5 February this season. "You never know who will be the hero," said sharks defenseman Dan Boyle (FSY). "You never know where he is going to come from. This is just one example of just shooting, just put it on the net in overtime. You never know what will happen. "Joe Pavelski (FSY) scored the tying goal on the power play in the third period for San Jose. Antti Niemi (FSY) made 24 saves as the sharks won their fourth overtime game of this postseason.Nicklas Lidstrom (FSY) scored in the first period of Detroit the day after his 41st birthday. Howard made 44 saves, including three during Justin Abdelkader (FSY) twice minor for high sticking, but had little chance in/game-winning goal Ferriero is very disappointing, especially after leading for most of the game, "Lidstrom said."We were able to kill the penalty four minutes into overtime. They continued to come to us; our guy was coming out of the box and was still a dispute in our region. This is what happens in the playoffs. You'll have these oscillations momentum. "Game 2 is Sunday in San Jose After being frustrated by two periods by Howard, the third shark finally broke through in their third power play of the night with Todd rivalry with (FSY), outside half for boarding Pavelski. Joe Thornton (FSY) had a big shot from just inside the blue line that stopped Howardbut Pavelski batted the rebound down the air with his stick and into the net to tie it with 1: 38 to go with the first power-play goal by San Jose in four games this postseason.Pavelski played a large part in the victory of San Jose series over Detroit a year ago, scoring four goals in the first two games, including the tying tally in the third period of game 2. That was one of the two series ran third period for the sharks, who did it again in the premiere this year.The Red Wings killed another power play later in the third and withstood a late wave of San Jose, with Howard doing a tough pad save on a detour by Dany Heatley (FSY) to send the game into overtime. "It was not enough, "said Howard. "All that matters is winning. I felt good out there and I saw a lot of shots. "

Sharks lead 1-0.

Friday: San Jose 2, Detroit 1

Sunday: San Jose, 3 p.m. (NBC)

Wednesday: at Detroit, 8 hours (Versus)

On May 6: at Detroit, 7 hours (Versus)

x-may 8: at San Jose, 8 hours (Versus)

x-may 10: at Detroit, TBA (Versus)

x-may 12: in San Jose, TBA (Versus)

x-if necessary. All times ET

Led by an energetic shift from Logan Couture line (FSY), Ryane Clowe (FSY) and Heatley, the sharks dominated the game in the first half of the second period but were not able to check. Howard made a tough stop in Pavelski and helped kill a power game as Detroit kept the lead despite being outshot 16-2 in the first 10 minutes of the second time.Detroit allowed two shots the rest of the period and had chances to extend the advantage but shot rolled along the goal line and the net, and Niemi stopped Jiri Hudler ... aka (FSY) on a wrist shot at closing time.This marked the third time in five seasons that these teams met in the second round, with each team winning once.The Red Wings were rested, with eight full days off since his sweep of Phoenix in the first round. This is in contrast with their one day off a year ago after a series of seven games against the Coyotes, who was a factor in falling behind 3-0 in the series.The time off allowed two of the most powerful of the Detroit players to heal injuries that kept him out of action for at least a part of the first round. Johan Franzen (FSY), who led the team with 28 goals in regular season, recovered from an injured left ankle that forced him to miss game 4 against the Coyotes. Top scorer Henrik Zetterberg (FSY) also is back after losing the first round with an injured left knee.At the beginning, there was a feeling-out process with both teams seemingly terrified of making a mistake. San Jose killed an early power play before the Red Wings broke midway through the period when Pavel Datsyuk (FSY) has the puck on the boards and fed Lidstrom in slot for a slap shot that beat Niemi to the glove side.Notes: The last player to get his first playoff goal in OT her first playoff game was Niko Dimitrakos (FSY San Jose), in 1 game in the first round against St. Louis in 2004. ... Detroit coach Mike Babcock turned 48 on Friday.

Sidney Crosby had a setback, but ' not worried ' about 2011

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby acknowledged he recently had a setback and experienced symptoms during his recovery from an injury, but the Pittsburgh Penguins star said he isn't worried that he won't be ready for the start of next season. By AP

Penguins Center Sidney Crosby admitted that the reason he wasn't on the ice for practice without contact or practices for the past two weeks was because he had experienced headaches and other symptoms.

By AP

Penguins Center Sidney Crosby admitted that the reason he wasn't on the ice for practice without contact or practices for the past two weeks was because he had experienced headaches and other symptoms.

Crosby directed to journalists on Friday for the first time in weeks, on the day the penguins packed up and dispersed after being eliminated from the NHL playoffs. He admitted that the reason he wasn't on the ice for practice without contact or practices for the past two weeks was because he had experienced headaches and other symptoms ".I started trying to ramp things a bit for work and skating and I got a little symptoms, "said Crosby. "So I had to take a step back. Progression had gone very well, but at the same time, I still wasn't ready ".Crosby has not played since January 5, sitting out the final 48 games, including any loss of series 4-3 in Pittsburgh for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.Training camp is about five months away. Crosby said he is ready.

Copyright 2010 the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Daniel Sedin, St. Louis, Perry called the Hart Trophy finalists

Identical twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin are similar apart from their looks: they make the same wage, have very similar NHL point totals and possess a radar-like ability to find each other on the ice. By Darryl Dyck, AP

Vancouver's Daniel Sedin, rear, won the NHL scoring title this season, a year after his brother Henrik.

By Darryl Dyck, AP

Vancouver's Daniel Sedin, rear, won the NHL scoring title this season, a year after his brother Henrik.

The only difference is that Henrik has a title of MVP and Daniel.But that could change because Daniel, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Martin St. Louis winger and Anaheim Ducks Corey Perry were named finalists for the Hart Trophy as League MVP. "It is very difficult for us, not to be enthusiastic about Daniel, since Henrik won last year and would probably be one of the most unique events in professional sports that you had a twin brother win a year and another brother of the second year, "Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis said at a recent conference call.The twins already have a distinction: they are the first brothers to win scoring titles in consecutive seasons. Henrik won last year with 112 points, and Daniel led the League this season with 104, the only player to top 100 overall for the Canucks. "We have been peer-to-game players to a time and the last few years has been a big step for us," said Henrik. "I don't know why that is, if he is getting older, mature, confident in the dressing room and ice ... or if it's because Daniel was injured last year and I had to play without him for 20 games and win confidence".Daniel had 18 goals and 42 points with man-advantage for the best power play in the League and finished in second place among the forwards with a plus-35 rating. St. Louis, a winner of 2004, agreed to a four-year extension before the season, showing faith in the new management of owner Jeff Vinik, General Manager Steve Yzerman and coach Guy Boucher. He thrived on the ice, finishing second in the League with 99 points. He tied a franchise record with 68 assists, including five in one game, as the lightning rose 23 points to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Cause of Perry was boosted by a late-season run that pushed his team into the playoffs.He finished as top scorer of 50-goal League and finished third in points with 98. He tied for the lead of the Championship with 11 goals. His row with Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan combined to 249 points ".I have to give much credit to Ryan and Bobby, "Perry said after being named first NHL star for March. "I mean, they did all they could do, and they are finding me and I'm just trying to get open in the slot, and things are going behind the net."The ducks were sitting in 11th place in late February, but Perry had 15 goals during March and 19 in the last 16 games the ducks as Anaheim finished in fourth place. "Things happened in March, that doesn't happen very often, "he said. "It's one of those things where you exit, you play your game, and you see what happens". The award is voted by the professional hockey writers before the start of the playoffs. The top three vote-getters are finalists. The winner will be announced June 22 in the annual NHL awards show in Las Vegas. For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.