Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning, Blues Take 3-1 Series Leads; Penguins Level Series With Rangers At 2-2; Ducks Cut Predators' Series Lead To 2-1

Four games were contested on Tuesday as the Stanley Cup Playoff continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Detroit:

The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on the road in game four of their opening-round series as all three goals were scored on the power play, with Nikita Kucherov scoring twice and Ondrej Palat scoring the game winner with 2:59 remaining in regulation.  The Lightning, who lead the series three games to one, can finish off the Red Wings with a game-five home victory this coming Thursday night at Tampa, Florida. 

At New York:

Sidney Crosby (power play), Matt Cullen, and Kris Letang (empty net) each scored a goal as the Pittsburgh Penguins squared their conference quarterfinal series with the New York Rangers at two games apiece following their 3-1 game-four road triumph.  Matt Murray stopped 16 of 17 Rangers shots.


WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Chicago:

Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice (once on the power play) as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on the road in game four of their opening-round series.  The Blues, who now lead three games to one,  can finish off the defending Stanley Cup champions with a home victory in game five in St. Louis on Thursday night.

At Nashville:

Frederik Andersen saved all 27 shots while Jamie McGinn, Rickard Rakell, and Chris Stewart each scored once as the Anaheim Ducks cut their conference quarterfinal series deficit to two games to one following their 3-0 game-three road domination of the Nashville Predators.