Flyers rout Canadiens

By The Associated Press

James van Riemsdyk, Danny Briere and Simon Gagne scored in a span of 9:23 in the second period against playoff star Jaroslav Halak, and the host Philadelphia Flyers routed the Montreal Canadiens 6-0 in the Eastern Conference finals opener on Sunday night.

There would be no comeback necessary this time for the surging Flyers, who rebounded from a 3-0 series hole against the Bruins and a three-goal deficit in Game 7 in Boston on Friday night. Philadelphia has won five straight overall and is 5-1 in the playoffs in front of its orange-clad crowd.

Game 2 is set for Phildelphia on Tuesday.

Blackhawks 2, Sharks 1: Dustin Byfuglien scored the tiebreaking goal with 6:45 remaining in regulation, Antti Niemi made 44 saves and visiting Chicago extended its road dominance in the playoffs with a victory over San Jose in the opener of the Western Conference final.

Game 2 will be Tuesday in San Jose.

The Blackhawks, who improved to 6-1 on the road this postseason and snapped a streak of four straight losses in series openers.