Round 1: 87 Oilers vs. 75 Sabres - Game 5

3 - 87 Oilers
2 - 75 Sabres
Overtime

The Oilers were looking for anybody to spark their offense. After two straight losses and a defense that has allowed 17 goals in four games, Edmonton knew it would have to score early and steal any momentum it could away from the Sabres. So when Mark Messier lifted a saucer pass toward Kent-Erik Nilsson, the bench held its collective breath. But Nilsson allowed the Oilers breathe a little easier when he scored on the one-timer. It was only a few minutes later, though, when Done Luce tied the game on a powerplay one-timer of his own.

The Oilers, desperate to regain the lead, turned to their leader, Wayne Gretzky, time and time again. But Gretzky was nothing short of useless. Instead, it was Kevin McClelland who gave the Oilers hope. McClelland's goal only gave Edmonton a brief lead, though, as Rick Martin took a Rene Robert pass and scored easily on a pretty one-timer.

After a scoreless third period, the Sabres and the Oilers traded shots for 14 minutes of the overtime period. At one point, Jari Kurri had Gary Bromley beaten, but his shot hit the post and landed in the corner. But the Oilers benefited from Buffalo's penalty woes in overtime. The Oilers enjoyed some 5-on-4 and even a brief 5-on-3. But as the Sabres killed off the penalties and began to regroup on defense, Nilsson struck again with a shot from the point that ricocheted off a Buffalo defenseman and past Bromley for the game winner. The Sabres still have a 3-2 lead, but the Oilers have made series of it. Edmonton now has an outside shot at sending this one to a seventh game.

Round 1: 93 Nordiques vs. 82 Islanders - Game 5

2 - 93 Nordiques
3 - 82 Islanders
Overtime

The Islanders were on the ropes after giving up 11 goals in the past two games. Though the series is tied, the Islanders played as though they had no hope and the Nordiques had been controlling the games. But Mike Bossy turned everything around when he scored off the opening faceoff. The Nordiques wouldn't allow the Islanders to gain control, though, as their defense stood up for the remainder of the first period. And when Kerry Huffman tied the game in the waning minutes of the first period, the Nordiques knew they had just as much opportunity to win the game as the Isles.

In the second period, Clarke Gillies sent a slapshot hurling toward Ron Hextall that found the back of the net and send the Islanders into the third period with the lead. But with twelve minutes to play, Valeri Kamensky tied the game and Quebec continued on the attack. But the Isles held off the feisty Nordiques for overtime. Both teams had chances in the extra frame, but when Mike Bossy skated through the neutral zone and toward the side of the net, the Nordiques knew what was coming. After a quick "move," Bossy netted the game winner and the series lead.

Round 1: 93 Jets vs. 06 France - Game 5

4 - 93 Jets
3 - 06 France

Tomas Steen scored first for Winnipeg and the Jets held a 1-0 lead for most of the first period until Allan Cerroua flipped a wrister toward the net that squirted through Bob Essensa, who was perfectly positioned. The seemingly arbitrary goal tied the game and left the Jets wondering what they need to do to put these French assassins away for good. Laurent Mianoir then scored for France in the second period to take a 2-1 lead. But coming off the penalty kill, Mike Eagles' relentless play led to him stealing the puck and subsequently scoring his first goal of the Tournament. Winnipeg came out strong in the third period, scoring two goals from Evgeny Davydov and Alexei Zhamnov, respectively. But France cut the Jets' lead in half when Jean Francois Bunnerd scored off another wrister from high in the slot. But Bunnerd's goal wouldn't be enough and Zhamnov's tally stood up as the game winner. The Jets are now one win away from reaching the second round for the first time.

Round 1: 80 USA vs. 63 Maple Leafs - Game 5

2 - 80 USA
4 - 63 Maple Leafs

Rob McClanahan scored early in the first period, calming down his young team in this critical elimination game. But pesky Bob Nevin beat Jim Craig high on the glove side to tie the score just seven minutes later. Later in the period, Dave Keon sent a second-chance backhander past Craig's skate to tie the game. In the second period, Eric Strobel tied the game once more, giving the Americans hope going into the final frame. But Ed Litzenberger crushed all hope when he scored his third goal in two games to give the Leafs the lead for good. Allan Stanley added an empty net goal and the Maple Leafs have advanced to the second round for the first time in Tournament history.

Round 1: 02 Red Wings vs. 77 Canadiens - Game 5

1 - 02 Red Wings
2 - 77 Canadiens

It looked for most of the game like the defending champs would hold off the 77 Canadiens to take control of this series. After a Nik Lidstrom goal in the first period, the Wings shut down the Canadiens for 40+ minutes. But in the third period, Doug Risebrough picked off a pass on the penalty kill and race up the ice to score a shorthanded goal and tie the game. With less than 10 minutes to play, Risebrough played hero again taking a Jacques Lemaire pass in front of the crease and converting the one-timer. After dropping the first two games of this series, the Canadiens are now one win away from beating the defending champions and advancing to the second round.

Round 1: 88 Capitals vs. 52 Red Wings - Game 4

2 - 52 Red Wings
1 - 88 Capitals

The Red Wings got what they came for in Game 4 against the Capitals. Down 3-0 in the series, it's now or never for Gordie Howe and the Wings. Metro Prystai, the only Wing to have beaten Pete Peters in this series, scored in the first period to give Detroit a tenuous lead. In the second period, Peters' wall crumbled a little more when Alex Delvecchio scored the Wings second goal of the game, matching their total output in the first three games combined. But it only took three minutes of the third period for Bengt Gustafsson to once again find his scoring touch, cutting Detroit's lead in half. But Terry Sawchuck, who started in net for the first time since Game 2, shut down the Caps, even though they came close and hit the post on a wide open net in the game's closing minutes. The Caps skated off the ice disappointed, but still confident that they have three chances to win one game. The Wings still have a mountain to climb, but they'll continue taking it one game at a time.

Round 1: 02 Red Wings vs. 77 Canadiens - Game 4

5 - 77 Canadiens
2 - 02 Red Wings

The Canadiens took it to the Red Wings in Game 4, starting the game out on the attack and finishing with five goals from four different scorers. The Red Wings knew the offensive potential of these Canadiens, but hadn't seen any sign of it appear in the first three games. The Habs were buoyed in Game 4 by Jacques Lemaire and a potent power play. After Pete Mahovlich's first goal in the game's opening minutes, Lemaire scored twice on the powerplay, both goals coming off Guy Lafleur passes. Yvon Cournoyer added a second period goal before Igor Larionov put Detroit on the board. Steve Yzerman brought the Wings one goal closer to start the third period, but it was too little too late. By the time Doug Risebrough added an insurance goal, the game was long over and this series was tied.