Wild Force Game 7 Against Avs – NHL Roundup

UNDATED (AP) — Just three teams in NHL history have won a playoff series after dropping the first three games. The Los Angeles Kings have put themselves in position to become the fourth after evening their conference quarterfinal series against the San Jose Sharks at three games apiece.

Justin Williams and Anze Kopitar (AHN'-zhay KOH'-pih-tahr) each scored twice and Jonathan Quick stopped 25 shots as the Kings topped San Jose 4-1. Williams scored 5:39 into the game, but the score was tied 1-1 until the Kings tallied three times in a 2:46 span of the third period. The goals came against Alex Stalock, who made his first NHL playoff start after relieving Antti Niemi (AN'-tee nee-EH'-mee) the previous two games.

Quick blanked the Sharks after James Sheppard beat him midway through the second period.

Game 7 is Wednesday in San Jose.

Minnesota has forced a seventh game in its series with Colorado. Zach Parise (puh-REE'-see) scored twice on tip-ins, including the game-winner with 6:29 remaining in the Wild's 5-2 triumph over the Avalanche. The Avs erased a 2-0 deficit before Parise helped Minnesota send the series back to Denver. Parise also had two assists and Darcy Kuemper (KEHM'-pur) finished with 21 saves.

Game 7 is Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were able to close out the Columbus Blue Jackets in six games.

Evgeni Malkin registered a hat trick and Matt Niskanen (NIHS'-kah-nehn) had two assists as the Penguins beat the Blue Jackets 4-3 in Columbus. Malkin's third goal of the night put the Pens ahead 4-0 with 4:38 remaining in the second period, and the four-goal edge held up until Fedor Tyutin (FEH'-dur TOO'-tihn), Artem Anisimov (ah-NEE'-see-mahv) and Nick Foligno (foh-LEE'-noh) scored less than five minutes apart in the third. Marc-Andre Fleury blanked the Jackets over the final 4:47 to help Pittsburgh close out the series.

The Penguins will face either the Rangers or Flyers in the next round.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Jim Rutherford has stepped down as general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes and been replaced by Hall of Fame player Ron Francis. Rutherford spent two decades as the club's GM, and helped orchestrate its move from Hartford to North Carolina.

Francis holds team records with 382 goals, 793 assists and 1,186 games played. He's been the team's vice president of hockey operations since June 2012.

NEW YORK (AP) — Boston's Zdeno Chara (zuh-DAY'-noh CHAH'-rah), Chicago's Duncan Keith and Nashville's Shea Weber are finalists for the Norris Trophy, given annually to the NHL's best defenseman.

Chara won the award in 2009, one year before it was given to Keith. Weber is hoping to win it for the first time after leading all blueliners with 23 goals this season.