Two games were played on Friday night as the first round of the 2011 NHL playoffs continued. Both featured comebacks, overtimes and 4-3 victories for the road team to take a 3-2 series lead.
Buffalo 4, Philadelphia 3 (OT): The Sabres took a 3-0 lead in the first period and were poised to rout Philadelphia. The Flyers changed goalies, however, and stormed back with two goals in the second period and one early on in the third. The game went to overtime, and Philadelphia's momentum was no match for Buffalo's Tyler Ennis, who put the puck in the back of the net on a rebound to win the game for the Sabres. It was his second goal of the night, and now the Sabres are headed back to Buffalo for Game 6 holding a 3-2 advantage in the series.
Nashville 4, Anaheim 3 (OT): The Predators are also headed home with a 3-2 series advantage after winning 4-3 in overtime. They only managed to get to overtime thanks to Shea Weber scoring at the 19:24 mark of the third period to tie things up. Nashville did hold a 1-0 lead after one, but Anaheim tied the game up in the second and then took the lead 40 seconds into the third on an amazing goal by Bobby Ryan, who dangled past two defenders on the play. Nashville responded 10 minutes later with a goal, but Jason Blake scored his second of the game to put Anaheim back on top. That led to Weber's late goal to tie the game, and 1:57 into the overtime Jerred Smithson scored on an outstanding centering pass for the win.
Series Standings Through Friday
WEST
Detroit defeated Phoenix, 4-0
Vancouver leads Chicago, 3-2
San Jose leads Los Angeles, 3-1
Nashville leads Anaheim, 3-2
EAST
Washington leads New York, 3-1
Montreal and Boston tied, 2-2
Pittsburgh leads Tampa Bay, 3-1
Buffalo leads Philadelphia, 3-2