Flyers beat Sabres to force Game 7

Goalie Brian Boucher got his second chance. Chris Pronger's presence provided an inspirational boost. And thanks to Ville Leino, the Philadelphia Flyers made this comeback stick against the Buffalo Sabres.

On the brink of elimination, and with the Flyers enduring the latest in a string of goalie shuffles, Boucher stopped 24 of 25 shots in yet another relief effort and Leino capped Philadelphia's two-goal comeback by scoring 4:43 into overtime in a 5-4 win yesterday in Buffalo to force Game 7 in the first-round playoff series.

The deciding game is in Philadelphia Tuesday to close what's been a tightly contested and topsy-turvy series, in which five of the six games have been won by one goal.

"I've been through some pretty wild and crazy games through my career," said Danny Briere, the former Sabre who scored twice against his former team. "And today was one of them, the roller-coaster ride that it was. My heart definitely skipped a few beats today."

Scott Hartnell had a goal and assist and James van Riemsdyk, who registered 10 shots on goal, also scored for the Flyers, who bounced back after two straight losses.

Blackhawks 4, Canucks 3: Ben Smith scored on a rebound at 15:30 of overtime and host Chicago forced a seventh game in the opening-round series.

The Canucks, with the NHL's best record during the regular season, have lost three straight after it appeared they were in control of the series. Game 7 is Tuesday night in Vancouver.

Chicago is attempting to become the fourth team in NHL history to win a seven-game series after falling behind 3-0. The Flyers did it last year against Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Predators 4, Ducks 2: Nick Spaling scored his second goal at 4:53 of the third period and host Nashville closed out its first postseason series victory to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. The Predators won the series, 4-2, in their sixth postseason in seven seasons.

-- AP