Devils go for sweep

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., April 15 (UPI) -- The New Jersey Devils look to become the first team to advance in the NHL playoffs Tuesday night, and Dallas just hope to get even.

The Devils can complete a four-game sweep of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with another road win over the Boston Bruins.

The top-seeded Stars are in a far different situation in their Western Conference quarterfinal against Edmonton. They need a win Tuesday night at Edmonton to square the series at two games apiece.

Also Tuesday, the Washington Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning with a chance to take a commanding three games to none lead in their East quarterfinal.

The line centered by John Madden has been the key for the Devils, who have held the Bruins to three goals, and are on the verge of sweeping their first playoff series since the 2000 quarterfinals against the Florida Panthers on the way to a Stanley Cup title.

Madden, the Selke Trophy winner in 2001 as the NHL's top defensive forward, has taken on the role of shutting down Boston's Joe Thornton, a 101-point scorer during the regular season, and has provided offense of his own.

Along with holding Thornton to just two assists, Madden has figured in five of New Jersey's nine goals in the series.

"It's physically and mentally demanding when you play against a guy like Joe," said Madden, who has a goal and four assists in the series. "I just try to keep the puck away from him. As long as he doesn't have the puck, it makes my job easier."

Madden set up goals by Jay Pandolfo and Scott Stevens, and scored an empty-netter in Sunday's 3-0 win at Boston. Martin Brodeur stopped 29 shots for his 14th career playoff shutout.

Dallas goaltender Marty Turco had the best goals-against average (1.72) in the modern era this season. Also, he a league-best .932 save percentage, but allowed three goals on four shots in the third period of Sunday's 3-2 loss at Edmonton, giving the Oilers a two games to one lead in the series.

Rookie Fernando Pisani tied the game at 2-2 when his shot from the top of the right faceoff circle trickled between Turco's pads 4:40 into the third period.

Radek Dvorak scored the go-ahead goal 58 seconds later, putting the puck between the skates of veteran defenseman Richard Matvichuk as he moved through the right circle and wristed a shot over the stick of Turco.

"The second goal (by Pisani), I am sure is one Marty would like to have back, but those things will happen," said Stars Coach Dave Tippett.

The Stars played without Pierre Turgeon (knee), Bill Guerin (thigh), and defenseman Derian Hatcher (suspension). Turgeon and Guerin are questionable for Game Four, but Hatcher will return after serving a mandatory one-game suspension for drawing two misconduct penalties in the first two games of the series.

Game Five is Thursday at Dallas.

The Capitals are in control of their series after winning the first two in Tampa Bay by a combined score of 9-3. The teams play Tuesday and Wednesday at Washington's MCI Center, where the Lightning have lost 11 in a row.

Jaromir Jagr collected two goals and four assists, tying a career high for points in a postseason contest, in the Capitals' 6-3 win in Game Two. Peter Bondra also scored a pair of goals, and set up Jagr's second tally.

Tampa Bay goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin surrendered as many as five goals for just the fifth time this season.

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are one win away from sweeping the defending Stanley Cup champions in the first round of the playoffs.