Pavel Datsyuk recorded his first career playoff hat trick as the Detroit Red Wings took a commanding three games to none series lead with a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals at American Airlines Center.

The San Jose Sharks relieved Ron Wilson of his head coaching duties on Monday, a little over a week since the club bowed out in the second round of the playoffs.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn is doubtful for Game 3 of Eastern Conference finals against Pittsburgh.

The Nashville Predators have signed forward Martin Erat to a seven-year contract worth $31.5 million.

Brandon Dubinsky registered a hat trick and Dustin Brown added two goals with an assist to power the United States to a 9-1 rout of Norway in the finale of the qualifying round of the 2008 World Hockey Championship.

The top-seeded Detroit Red Wings will try to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals tonight, when they visit the Dallas Stars for Game 3 at American Airlines Center.

Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen is still experiencing concussion-like symptoms and did not play in Detroit's 5-2 win in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars.

Maxime Talbot scored the go-ahead goal 8:51 into the third period, as the Pittsburgh Penguins topped the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Finland scored three times in the third period, including what turned out to be a phantom goal, to upend the United States with a contentious 3-2 victory at the 2008 World Hockey Championships.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn left in the first period of his team's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, after the puck hit him in the face.