Blues even series; Sharks grab 2-0 lead

Captain David Backes scored off a rebound on a power play 10:58 into overtime, and the Blues beat the Stars 4-3 in Game 2 on Sunday in Dallas to even the second-round series.

The Blues were on their second power play of overtime after Antoine Roussel was called for interference.

Vladimir Tarasenko took a slap shot that defenseman Alex Goligoski blocked. But the Blues kept charging and Backes scored on a rebound of Alexander Steen’s shot.

The Stars forced overtime by erasing a two-goal deficit in the third period, when the Stars outshot the Blues 13-2.

Antti Niemi had stopped 19 consecutive shots in relief of Kari Lehtonen after the first period until Backes scored. Lehtonen allowed three goals on five shots. Blues goalie Brian Elliott had 31 saves.

Jamie Benn forced overtime by scoring with 2:36 left in regulation.

Troy Brouwer had a power-play goal and an assist to help the Blues take a 3-1 lead in the first period. Patrik Berglund and Joel Edmundson also scored. Sharks 3, Predators 2: Joe Pavelski scored with 2:40 left to give the Sharks a 2-0 series lead.

Logan Couture put the Sharks ahead 1-0 in the first period. Mattias Ekholm tied it with 7:04 left in the third.

Joe Thornton added an empty-netter before the Preds’ Ryan Johansen scored with four seconds left. Orpik suspended: Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik was suspended three games for his late hit to the head of Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta.

Orpik will be eligible to return if the series gets to Game 6 on May 10.

Orpik hit Maatta after the puck was gone four minutes into Game 2 and was given a two-minute minor for interference.