Red Wings Rally In Opener

2004 Playoffs

"I was worried how we would start the game," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "I was afraid we would be in awe of the Detroit Red Wings and the atmosphere."

Kris Draper tied the game early in the third period and Tomas Holmstrom and Robert Lang also scored for the Red Wings.

Game Two is on Saturday in Detroit.

Bruins Blank Canadiens
Andrew Raycroft stopped all 31 shots and the Boston Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 in their playoff opener Wednesday night.

"I told our players after the first period that might have been not only the best first period we've played all year, that might have been the best period we played all year," Boston coach Mike Sullivan said. "Obviously, when you can get off to a start like that, it certainly helps your team."

Sergei Gonchar, Michael Nylander and Mike Knuble scored for Boston.

"They caught us not ready," Canadiens defenseman Sheldon Souray said. "That was a factor, I think. It's not like we woke up in the second period and were right in the game. We were dominated until the end of the second period."

Game Two is on Friday in Boston.

Avs Beat Stars
David Aebischer stopped 37 shots as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Dallas Stars 3-1 in the series opener.

Peter Forsberg, Alex Tanguay and Joe Sakic scored for the Avs, who were outshot 38-25 by the Stars.

Canucks Take Game 1
Markus Naslund had three assists as the Vancouver Canucks scored four power-play goals for a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames in their playoff opener.

Sami Salo, Henrik Sedin, Brendan Morrison, Martin Rucinsky and Mattias Ohlund scored for the Canucks.