Flyers Push Devils To The Brink

2004 Playoffs

"I felt very focused in all four games," Esche said. "I haven't had a problem getting up for the games. I've had a real good confidence level."

The defending Stanley Cup champion Devils, who are now one loss away from an early postseason exit, dominated most of the game outshooting the Flyers 35-25.

"We wanted to come up here and steal one," Flyers veteran Mark Recchi said. "We did it and now we go home and see what happens Saturday. We know the Devils. They are the defending Stanley Cup champions. They won't go down without a fight."

Khabibulin Blanks Isles Again
Tampa Bay is one win away from advancing to the second round after a 3-0 lead over the New York Islanders gave the Lightning three games to one lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal.

"This was a must win for them," Lightning forward Martin St. Louis said. "We knew they were going to empty the tank and we have to empty the tank ourselves, and more. You don't want to give them a chance, you don't want to give them any breathing area."

Nikolai Khabibulin stopped all 33 shots for his third shutout in the series and each game has ended 3-0.

Avs Prevail In 2OT
Rookie Marek Svatos scored 5:18 into double overtime giving the Colorado Avalanche a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars and a three games to one lead in the first-round series.

"I was just trying to get a shot on net, and it went in," Svatos said. "It's the greatest feeling in my hockey career."

The Avs can advance to the second round of the playoffs in Game Five on Saturday in Denver.

"I feel like we deserved a better fate," Dallas captain Mike Modano said. "We played a solid game. We had so many scoring opportunities that we didn't take advantage of."