NHL Playoffs: Alex Ovechkin Comes Up Big, Keeps Caps Alive

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin's teammates watched him turn his game up to a whole new level. Then the Washington Capitals followed him all the way to Game 6.

With Ovechkin leading the way, the Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 on Saturday night in Game 5 to keep their season alive. Ovechkin scored a power-play goal and assisted on T.J. Oshie's and was a force all over the ice with his team on the verge of yet another early playoff exit.

"He's our leader. We look up to him," Oshie said. "When you see a guy like him that can beat you in so many different ways come out and bring that type of energy, you'd better get on board or just stay on the bench."

Behind Ovechkin's two-point game, goals by Oshie and Justin Williams and 30 saves by Braden Holtby, Washington cut its deficit to 3-2 to force Game 6 on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh (see full recap).

Elliott turns back Stars, sends Blues home with 3-2 lead
DALLAS -- Brian Elliott didn't let this third-period lead get away, and St. Louis is going home with a chance to close out a second-round series against Dallas.

Elliott turned away a strong push from the Stars in the final period, rookie playoff points leader Robby Fabbri had a goal and assist, and the Blues beat the Stars 4-1 Saturday for a 3-2 series lead.

Dmitrij Jaskin's first career playoff goal in his first postseason game this year put the Blues ahead for good at 2-1 in the second period, and St. Louis protected a 3-1 lead in the third for a second straight road victory in the series.

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The Blues surrendered the same lead before winning in overtime in Game 2 in Dallas. Elliott was perfect in the third period this time, getting 12 of his 27 saves to send the Blues home with the series edge. Game 6 is Monday night (see full recap).

Pavelski's 2 goals lead Sharks past Predators in Game 5
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Joe Pavelski scored two goals and the San Jose Sharks bounced back from a triple-overtime loss to beat the Nashville Predators 5-1 on Saturday night to take a 3-2 lead in their second-round playoff series.

Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture also scored as part of San Jose's reconfigured second line and the Sharks moved within one win of advancing to the Western Conference final for the fourth time in franchise history.

San Jose will look to secure a spot in its first conference final since 2011 by winning at Nashville in Game 6 on Monday night.

Melker Karlsson added a late goal and Martin Jones made 24 saves to give the home team its fifth straight win in this series.

Game 4 overtime hero Mike Fisher scored and Pekka Rinne made 23 saves, but Nashville allowed goals in the opening and closing minutes of the second period (see full recap).

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