Predators Bounce Back

2004 Playoffs

"Obviously, this is an important game," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "Detroit is a veteran team, and they wanted to put a nail in the coffin today, and we didn't let them. Hopefully, we can continue to make this a series."

Detroit outshot Nashville 42-21, but Predators' goalie Tomas Vokoun was in a great shape stopping 22 shots in the third period only.

"Anybody who was here felt the energy," Vokoun said. "The fans were unbelievable. It was the best moment since I've been in Nashville."

Game 4 will be Tuesday night in Nashville.

Habs Prevail At Home
Alexei Kovalev had two goals and Andrei Markov also scored and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 on home ice at Bell Centre.

"There was frustration at the end of the season because I hadn't scored many goals, but the fans stayed behind me," Kovalev said. "I wanted to show them the player I am and to come up big. I knew that if I kept working on my game that eventually it would turn around. I knew I was getting close. I was getting more comfortable."

Jose Theodore made 30 saves and assisted on Kovalev's both goals for the Canadiens, who now trail two games to one in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Canucks Take Charge
Matt Cooke scored the game-winner in the third period as the Vancouver Canucks beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 to take a two games to one lead in the first-round series.

The Canucks played the final two periods with goaltender Johan Hedberg after Dan Cloutier was injured late in the first period.