Hasek steps it up

NHL teams

The Sabres scored on four of their first ten shots and handed Hasek an insurmountable lead and blew away the Flyers for the second time in a row despite being outshot 45-20 in the game.

"The whole team plays well and takes the pressure off me," Hasek said. "When the offense scores six or four goals, I don't give up more than two or three very often. It's much more fun for me knowing I can make mistakes."

Buffalo has never beaten Philadelphia in four meetings in the playoffs. Flyers coach Roger Neilson remains confident in his troops' chances.

"Everything they are doing is right," Neilson said. "It has gone a long time that way, but it's going too good. I still think it could turn around."

Kings take early exit. The playoffs ended in seven days for the young Los Angeles Kings as they were swept by the St. Louis Blues in four straight. The Blues beat the Kings, 2-1, on Wednesday. It was Los Angeles' first playoff appearance in five years. The Blues will now have a chance to rest and wait to see who their opponent is in the Western Conference semifinals.

Penguins even series. Jaromir Jagr scored twice for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 6-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Series is tied 2-2.