Chris Kreider started the scoring and the United States cruised to a 5-1 victory over Austria in its opening game at the world ice hockey championship Saturday.

Benn Ferriero scored 7:03 into overtime of his playoff debut on a deflected goal that gave the Sharks a 2-1 win over the Red Wings on Friday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series, according to an ESPN.com report. Ferriero's shot hit off Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart's stick and got past Jimmy Howard for the game-winner just seconds after the Red Wings had killed off a four-minute penalty.

Canada defeated Belarus 4-1 Friday behind Jordan Eberle's two goals in an opening game at hockey's world championship, according to an ESPN.com report. Eberle put Canada ahead with a backhand 1:52 into the opening period, and Andrei Stepanov tied it with 34 seconds left in the period after a defensive blunder by Luke Schenn.

Sean Bergenheim scored early, Steve Downie had a goal and an assist, and Steven Stamkos netted the go-ahead goal on a power play, helping the Lightning beat the top-seeded Capitals 4-2 on Friday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series, as reported by ESPN.com.

Roberto Luongo stopped 20 shots and made Chris Higgins' second-period goal stand up in the Canucks' 1-0 win over the Predators in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday night. It was Luongo's second shutout of these playoffs and the third of his NHL postseason career, according to an ESPN.com report.

Dwayne Roloson made 36 saves for his second NHL playoff shutout, Sean Bergenheim scored, and the Tampa Bay Lightning completed a big series comeback and eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 1-0 win in Game 7 on Wednesday night, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.

Nathan Horton scored 5:43 into overtime to give the Bruins a 4-3 win over the Canadiens on Wednesday night in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series, according to an ESPN.com report. The Bruins will play the Flyers in the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second consecutive year.

Brian Boucher stopped 26 shots and the Philadelphia Flyers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of their first-round series on Tuesday night, as reported by ESPN.com.

Alex Burrows scored his second goal 5:22 into overtime, Roberto Luongo made 31 saves and the Canucks avoided a historic playoff collapse by knocking the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks out in the first round with a 2-1 win in Game 7 on Tuesday night, according to an ESPN.com report.

Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri scored during two separate two-man advantages and the Canadiens forced a decisive Game 7 in their first-round playoff series with a 2-1 victory over the Bruins on Tuesday night, according to an ESPN.com report. Game 7 is Wednesday night in Boston, with the Bruins looking to beat Montreal for only the ninth time in 33 postseason series.