By The Associated Press

MONTREAL - Alex Kovalev scored two first-period goals, both assisted by goalie Jose Theodore. Andrei Markov also scored for the Canadiens, who trail their first-round playoff series 2-1.

Kovalev had just four points - including an assist on Patrice Brisebois' goal in Friday's 2-1 overtime loss - in his first 14 games with the Canadiens, who acquired him in a trade with the New York Rangers on March 2.

Theodore set up the rushes that led to both goals and became just the third goalie to record two assists in an NHL playoff game, and the second - following Edmonton's Grant Fuhr - to do so in the same period.

Boston's Andy Hilbert scored in his first career playoff game in the first period, and Brian Rolston drew the Bruins within one when he scored early in the third.

Nashville 3, Detroit 1

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Predators made the first home playoff game in their six-year history a day to remember.

David Legwand and Adam Hall each scored in the first period, and Tomas Vokoun stopped 41 shots as the Predators beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 Sunday for their first playoff victory. They pulled within 2-1 in the first-round series.

Scott Hartnell added a goal in the third period, and Hall also had an assist.

The Red Wings looked ready to spoil the day as they outshot Nashville 15-1 in the first 15 minutes. But they seemed to run out of gas against Vokoun, who had the winning goal bounce in off his skate in Detroit's 2-1 victory Saturday, but made up for it Sunday by giving his teammates time to cool off the Red Wings.

Brett Hull scored his first goal this postseason at 5:21 of the third period to avoid the shutout.

Canucks 2, Flames 1

CALGARY, Alberta - Matt Cooke's third-period goal earned Vancouver a 2-1 playoff win over the Calgary Flames on Sunday night behind backup goaltender Johan Hedberg.

The Canucks played the final two periods with Hedberg after Dan Cloutier sustained an apparent knee injury with less than a minute left in the first period.

The victory gave Vancouver a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference opening-round series. Game 4 is here Tuesday night.