CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Bulls have opened a four-game lead on the Miami Heat in the race for the best record in the NBA Eastern Conference. The Bulls outscored the Heat 12-2 in overtime to take a 96-86 win over Miami despite star guard Derrick Rose's shooting 1-for-13 and scoring just two points.
BOSTON (AP) - Chris Kelly scored on a long slapshot 1:18 into overtime and the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins beat the Washington Capitals 1-0 in the opener of their first-round playoff series. Braden Holtby made 29 saves for the Capitals and Tim Thomas stopped all 17 shots he faced while getting the shutout for Boston.
UNDATED (AP) - In two overtime Game Ones, Martin (mahr-THAN') Havlat scored his second goal of the night at 3:34 of the second overtime to help the visiting San Jose Sharks upset the St. Louis Blues 3-2, and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2. In a regulation first-round opener, the New York Rangers posted a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Shane Victorino and Ty Wigginton homered, Joe Blanton pitched seven strong innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Miami 3-1 in the Marlins' second game without suspended manager Ozzie Guillen (gee-EHN'). The Marlins lost their second straight game without Guillen, who was suspended five games by the Marlins for saying he admired Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Sean Payton handed over control of his team to Joe Vitt, his second-in-command. Vitt will serve as interim coach, despite the fact that he'll miss a third of the season for his role in New Orleans' bounty system. Payton begins serving a one-year suspension next Monday for his role in the bounty scheme.
