WEDNESDAY EYE-OPENER

Brent Seabrook scored on a booming slap shot a minute into the third overtime, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Nashville Predators 3-2. Seabrook’s long drive beat a screened Pekka Rinne on the 100th shot of the longest game in Nashville history. Rookie Scott Darling made 50 saves for Chicago. The Blackhawks grabbed a 3-1 series.

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The Calgary Flames are in control of their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks after a 3-1 win. Jiri Hudler had a goal and an assist as Calgary took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau scored his first playoff goal and 18-year-old rookie Sam Bennett had his second in as many games.

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Also in the N-H-L playoffs, Nicklas Backstrom scored in overtime to lift the Washington Capitals to a 2-1 victory and even their first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders. And Petr Mrazek made 22 saves for his first post-season shutout as Detroit blanked the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 to give the Red Wings a 2-1 lead in their playoff series.

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The Toronto Raptors are reeling in their playoff series with the Washington Wizards. Bradley Beal poured in 28 points to lift the Wizards to a 117-106 victory over Toronto, sending the Wizards home with a 2-0 playoff series lead. John Wall added 26 points and 17 assists for Washington. Lou Williams and DeMar DeRozan led Toronto with 20 points apiece.

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Dwight Howard scored 28 points and James Harden added 24 to help the Houston Rockets coast to a 111-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Houston now has a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference playoff series. Howard and childhood friend Josh Smith dominated early in the fourth quarter to help the Rockets pull away.

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The Toronto Blue Jays’ big bats were on display in an 13-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Edwin Encarnacion led the way, hitting two home runs including a massive shot into the upper deck at Rogers Centre.

(CP)