Blackhawks force a Game 7

Ben Smith scored on a rebound at 15:30 of overtime and the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Sunday night to force a seventh game in the opening-round series.

The Canucks, with the NHL's best record during the regular season, have lost three straight after it appeared they were in control of the series. Game 7 is Tuesday night in Vancouver.

Smith, a rookie, followed in a long, hard shot from the point by teammate Niklas Hjalmarsson that bounced off goalie Roberto Luongo.

Predators 4, Ducks 2: Nick Spaling scored his second goal of the game at 4:53 of the third period and Nashville Predators closed out its first postseason series victory to advance to the Western Conference semifinals, beating visiting Anaheim.

Steve Sullivan scored a goal, David Legwand had an empty-netter and Jordin Tootoo assisted on Spaling's goals. The Predators won the series 4-2 in their sixth postseason in seven seasons.