Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA ó All those impatient boos and a string of games without a goal are in the past for Danny Briere.
Briere has gone from so-so to sensational in his first playoff series with the Flyers and has suddenly performed like heís worth every dollar of that big-bucks free-agent deal.
Briere has played more like the top player in the league than likely MVP Alex Ovechkin, scoring two more goals with an assist, leading Philadelphia to a 6-3 victory over the Washington Captials in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series on Tuesday night.
iThe playoffs are extra special,î Briere said. iIím not going to lie about it, thereís a little extra there.î
Game 4 is Thursday night in Philadelphia.
iDanny had a twinkle in his eye,î Flyers coach John Stevens said. iHe looked like a player who was going to play the way he did.î
Briere struggled for nearly two months in the first year of an eight-year, $52 million contract and briefly heard some boos from the Philly fanatics. He got hot down the stretch and earned the loudest roars from a pumpkin-orange crowd that was dying to let loose in Philadelphiaís first home postseason game since 2006.
iThat was a great thrill the way the crowd was early on and it certainly played a big role,î Briere said.
Canadiens 1, Bruins 0
BOSTON ó Patrice Brisebois snapped a scoreless tie late in the second period, rookie Carey Price posted his first playoff shutout and the Montreal Canadiens moved within one game of advancing with a 1-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.
The Canadiens, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, lead the best-of-seven, first-round series 3-1 and can wrap it up at home Thursday night.
Ducks 4, Stars 2
DALLAS ó Chris Pronger scored two power-play goals after assisting on the Ducksí first goal and they held on for a 4-2 victory.