Boston takes command 3-0; Sharks even series at two

Daniel Paille scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:31 left in the 3rd period - after defenseman Johnny Boychuk got the Bruins even earlier in the frame - as Boston put the New York Rangers on the brink of elimination with a 2-1 victory in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Boston leads the series 3-0 and can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals as early as this Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Only three NHL teams in history have rallied from an 0-3 hole to advance.




Joe Thornton set up Brent Burns' 1st-period goal and Logan Couture added a powerplay goal early in the 2nd period to give the San Jose Sharks just enough offense to beat the Los Angeles Kings, 2-1, to tie their Western Conference semifinal series at two games. Goaltender Antti Niemi made 13 of his 22 saves in the 3rd period to help the Sharks match Los Angeles' two home wins to open the series with two of their own. Game 5 will be this Thursday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.