SAN JOSE, Calif. - In a series filled with some of hockey's biggest stars and most accomplished players, it was someone who spent almost the entire second half of the season in the minors who came up with the biggest play - on his birthday no less.
Little-used Benn Ferriero scored 7:03 into overtime of his playoff debut on a deflected goal that gave the San Jose Sharks a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
"You always have to be ready," said Ferriero, who provided the perfect capper to his 24th birthday. "You never know when they are going to call on you. You go through practice and do everything you can to be ready to play."
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. Stuart slammed his stick to the ice in disgust after the goal.
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Ferriero has just seven goals in 57 career regular-season games and played only once in the NHL after Feb. 5 this season.
Game 2 is Sunday in San Jose.
• Lightning 4, Capitals 2: In Washington, Sean Bergenheim scored early, Steve Downie had a goal and an assist, and Steven Stamkos netted the go-ahead goal on a power play as Tampa Bay beat top-seeded Washington in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series.
Dwayne Roloson, Tampa Bay's 41-year-old goalie, made 26 saves.
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was held without a point and limited to two shots.
The Lightning lost forward Simon Gagne and defenseman Pavel Kubina to injuries. Both players will be re-evaluated today.
