As the Stanley Cup Playoffs inch closer to the second round, the play is only becoming more intense. While the only other game went into overtime Tuesday night, each matchup was decided by two or fewer goals.
The results put both the Panthers and Coyotes in the lead of their series, while Nashville only needs one more win to dash the Red Wings' dreams of a Cup run.
Here are the recaps from the games that took place Tuesday, April 17. Be sure to check out more of our in-depth Associated Press recaps and previews.
Phoenix Coyotes 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
CHICAGO — Mikkel Boedker scored 13:15 into overtime, and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in their wild and physical opening-round Western Conference playoff series.
Game 4 is Thursday night at the United Center. Read the complete story here.
Florida Panthers 4, New Jersey Devils 3
NEWARK, N.J. — Two days after ending a 15-year playoff drought, the Florida Panthers staged their greatest postseason comeback, knocked out an old nemesis and seemingly found themselves a new goaltender.
Brian Campbell scored on a second-period power play, and the Panthers rallied from an early three-goal deficit to defeat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Tuesday night behind a 19-save performance in relief by Scott Clemmensen over the final 54 minutes. Read the complete story here.
Nashville Predators 3, Detroit Red Wings 1
DETROIT — Pekka Rinne made the Detroit Red Wings' dominant performance meaningless.
Rinne made 40 saves, and Kevin Klein scored a go-ahead goal 6:25 into the third period, lifting the Nashville Predators to a 3-1 win over Detroit on Tuesday night and a 3-1 lead in the first-round Western Conference playoff series. Read the complete story here.