Chicago Blackhawks edge past Minnesota Wild on first night of play-offs

The Chicago Blackhawks needed overtime to claim a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild as the Stanley Cup play-offs got under way.

Bryan Bickell scored 16:35 into overtime to snatch the win and complete the comeback for the top seed in the Western Conference.

They had fallen behind to Cal Clutterbuck's first-period goal but tied it up in the second period with a penalty to Zach Parise for goaltender interference.

It also went to overtime in St Louis, where the Blues took a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings thanks to Alexander Steen's short-handed score - his second goal of the night. It was St Louis's first victory over the Kings in their last nine attempts.

Steen had given St Louis an early lead before Justin Williams forced the extra period with an equaliser 31.6 seconds before the end of regulation.

The Anaheim Ducks had no need of overtime as they opened their series against the Detroit Red Wings with a 3-1 victory.

Teemu Selanne returned to haunt the Red Wings again with the go-ahead goal early in the third period before Francois Beauchemin capped it late on with a shot into the empty net.

In the first period Nick Bonino had put Anaheim in front before Daniel Cleary scored with a deflection to level it up.