By The Associated Press

Detroit's Robert Lang (20) and Nashville defenseman Kimmo Timonen (44) watch Mathieu Schneider's shot cross the goal line in the third period. Schneider's slap shot went off the boards, off goalie Tomas Vokoun's skate and trickled into the net. (AP photo)

DETROIT - Mathieu Schneider's slap shot went off the boards, off goalie Tomas Vokoun's skate and trickled into the net late in the third period Saturday to give the Detroit Red Wings a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators.

The Red Wings are ahead 2-0 in the first-round series because they have outscored the Predators 4-0 in the third period. The teams will play Game 3 of the best-of-seven series Sunday in Nashville.

The winning goal came on the power play after the Red Wings were 0-for-9 in the series with an extra man.

Manny Legace made 27 saves, and Robert Lang scored for Detroit.

Nashville's Vladimir Orszagh tied it midway through the second period, and Vokoun made 26 saves.

Sharks 3, Blues 1

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Patrick Marleau scored three goals and Evgeni Nabokov made 25 saves, leading San Jose over St. Louis.

San Jose took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series thanks to a career-defining performance by Marleau, the All-Star who scored just one goal in the final 17 games of the regular season.

Nabokov was on the verge of his second straight shutout until he allowed a terrible short-handed goal to Doug Weight with 2:09 to play, ending a streak of 127 scoreless minutes.

No matter: second-seeded San Jose will head to St. Louis for Game 3 on Monday with confidence and a two-game cushion. Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is Tuesday.

Islanders 3, Lightning 0

TAMPA, Fla. - Rick DiPietro got his first postseason victory, stopping all 22 shots, as the New York Islanders beat Tampa Bay to even the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series at one game apiece.

Jason Blake returned from an ankle injury, expected to sideline him for the entire series, and scored his first two career playoff goals.

Janne Niinimaa also scored his first playoff goal and added an assist on Blake's second. Game 3 is Monday at Nassau Coliseum, where the Islanders were 25-11-4-1 this season.

The closest the Lightning came to scoring was with just under 14 minutes to go, but officials ruled that Vincent Lecavalier kicked the puck into the net.

Maple Leafs 2, Senators 0

TORONTO - Gary Roberts scored twice and Ed Belfour stopped all 31 shots as Toronto beat Ottawa and evened the first-round playoff series at one game apiece.

Fans chanted 'Eddie! Eddie!' throughout as Belfour recorded his 12th career shutout in the playoffs, and his 83rd win, tying him with New Jersey's Martin Brodeur for first place among active goaltenders.

Mats Sundin assisted on both goals for the Maple Leafs, who had 26 shots after managing just 17 Thursday in the series-opening 4-2 loss.

Ottawa, which went 0-for-6 on the power-play, will host Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series on Monday and Wednesday.

Flyers 3, Devils 2

PHILADELPHIA - Alexei Zhamnov scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, and Philadelphia beat defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey to take a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round matchup is Monday in New Jersey.

Jan Hrdina and Brian Gionta scored for the Devils, who didn't lead in either game in Philadelphia. Mark Recchi and Mattias Timander had Philadelphia's other goals.

Robert Esche, making just his second playoff start, again outplayed Martin Brodeur, stopping 24 shots. Brodeur made 15 saves.