Sharks Win Again

Apr 10, 2004

2004 Playoffs

Patrick Marleau scored three goals and Evgeni Nabokov made 25 saves as the San Jose Sharks beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 for a two games to none lead in their first-round series.

"We could have overreacted to a lot of things that were going on, but we didn't," Marleau said. "If we retaliate, then we're playing it right back into their hands. ... I'm getting used to new linemates, but if I'm working hard and trying things that will make the team win, it doesn't really matter."

Marleau, who scored just one goal in the final 17 games of the regular season, had his hat trick on specialty teams scoring two power-play goals and a shorthander.

"I don't think they really gave the players a chance to play in Game 2, and it kind of threw us off balance right from the start of the game," St. Louis coach Mike Kitchen said. "Some calls we deserved, and some calls weren't strong calls on the referees' part."

Game Three is on Monday at St. Louis.

Islanders Fight Back
Rick DiPietro got his first postseason victory and shutout by stopping all 22 shots as the New York Islanders beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 and evened the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at one win apiece.

"I think everyone's nervous," DiPietro said. "If you don't have jitters, then you better check your pulse because this is a big time of year. Big circumstances."

Jason Blake scored two goals and Janne Niinimaa had a goal for the Isles, who gained home-ice advantage as the series shifts to Nassau Coliseum for Games Three and Four.

Red Wings Beat Predators
Mathieu Schneider's slap shot bounced off the boards and hit goalie Tomas Vokoun skate and trickled into the net with 2:45 left for a winning goal in the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. "I thought it was underneath him, I turned my head and thought the play was over," Schneider said. "I can't believe it went in. I think it's probably a little deflating for them to go through the whole game and lose in the last couple of minutes."

Red Wings now lead the Western Conference quarterfinals 2-0 as the series moves to Nashville.

"We were right there again," Predators coach Barry Trotz said.

Belfour Blanks Sens
Gary Roberts scored twice and Ed Belfour stopped all 31 shots as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators 2-0 and pulled even in the first-round playoff series at one win apiece.

Mats Sundin assisted on both goals for the Maple Leafs and Belfour recorded his 12th career playoff shutout.

Flyers Soar High
Alexei Zhamnov, Mark Recchi and Mattias Timander each scored for the Philadelphia Flyers, who beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 to take a two games to none series lead.

"We realize we're going against the Stanley Cup champions, a tremendous team," Flyers forward Jeremy Roenick said. "If we're not poised and composed, they'd walk all over us."


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