Wild Brace For Faster Pace From Hawks

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild are bracing for more aggression from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Minnesota won a slower Game 3 to cut Chicago's lead in the series to 2-1. Game 4 is Friday, and the Blackhawks will be fired up to get their attack back on track.

The Wild have some ready-made remedies for that. The centers on their first three lines, Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund and Erik Haula, bring defensive-minded games that make them a good fit in their system. The rookie Haula's skating speed in particular has been a big boost.

Lineups for both teams could change for Game 4. The Wild will replace Matt Moulson with Matt Cooke. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Thursday he's looking for more of a balanced scoring threat on each line.

Face off tonight is 8:30.

B's even things up in Montreal...Ducks cut Kings lead to 2-1.

MONTREAL (AP) — Matt Fraser scored at 1:19 of overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, tying the Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-2.

Making his NHL playoff debut after being called up Wednesday from Providence of the American Hockey League, Fraser jumped into a scramble in front of goalie Carey Price and slid the puck under him into the net. The Bruins are 3-1 on the road in the postseason after handing Montreal its first home loss.

Game 5 is Saturday night in Boston.

In the Freeway Series, the Anaheim Ducks posted a 3-2 road victory to cut the L.A. Kings' lead in the series to 2-1. The road game has won every game in this Western Conference semifinal.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles.

No change coming behind the bench

TORONTO (AP) — The Maple Leafs and coach Randy Carlyle have agreed on a two-year contract extension. However, assistant coaches Dave Farrish, Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon have been terminated. Toronto went 2-12 in its last 14 games this season and missed the playoffs. The Maple Leafs were as high as second place in the Atlantic Division.