Overtime win gives Lightning series lead
TAMPA, Fla. — Nikita Kucherov scored 3:33 into overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 6-5 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night in Game 3 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals.
Ondrej Palat had two goals and an assist, and Tyler Johnson, Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn each had one goal and an assist for the Lightning. They took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series that continues Friday at Amalie Arena.
The winner came about a minute after New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist made a terrific stop on J.T. Brown’s breakaway.
New York tied it at 5 on Dan Boyle’s rebound with 1:56 left in regulation. In other hockey news: • Mike Babcock moved from one Original Six franchise to another Wednesday, agreeing to an eight-year, $50 million deal to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs announced the hiring to put an end to months of speculation about Babcock’s future with the Detroit Red Wings, with whom he spent the past 10 seasons and won a Stanley Cup in 2008. Babcock will be introduced at a news conference Thursday.
Though Babcock was under contract with Detroit through June 30, the Red Wings granted him permission to speak to other teams on May 8.
The deal makes Babcock the NHL’s highestpaid coach.
Red Wings general manager Ken Holland says he wants to talk to minor league coach Jeff Blashill about Detroit’s vacancy.
• Record-setting goalie Martin Brodeur signed a three-year contract to become the St. Louis Blues’ assistant general manager.
The 43-year-old Brodeur played seven games for St. Louis this season, retiring Jan. 29 to become a senior adviser to general manager Doug Armstrong.