Boyle, Sharks Bounce Back to Pull Even with Avs

Dan Boyle slid across the crease on his back nine minutes into overtime to deny a pass to Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Stastny who could have but sealed another early-round exit for the San Jose Sharks with the flick of his wrist.

Plays like that made it a different night for Boyle and the Sharks, as Joe Pavelski scored midway through the first overtime period to seal a 2-1 victory over the Avalanche at Pepsi Center Tuesday night.

"We were happy for two minutes," Boyle said. "Two minutes after we got in here (the series) is 2-2. Not to be a party pooper, but all we did was tie up the series."

Boyle had a matter-of-fact demeanor, which still understandably contrasted to his posture after Game 3. Boyle took full responsibility Sunday night when his clearing attempt --- which was deflected slightly by the stick of Avs forward Ryan O'Reilly – landed in the Sharks' net in the first minute of overtime.

Series tied, 2-2
Sharks 2, Avalanche 1: Recap | Box Score | Series Page

On Tuesday, Boyle scored the first goal of the game, a power play tally 1:12 into the first period; not that his actions made up for what he did just two days beforehand.

"I don't think it will officially be over until we win the series," Boyle said.

Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov said he noticed a difference in Boyle from the start of the game.

"He's a competitive guy," Nabokov said. "He came out and he played hard, regardless if he scored or not. You could notice him out there. He wanted it. It couldn't have happened better for him."

It was the third overtime in a row in the series that pits the West's top seed, San Jose, against the eighth-seeded Avalanche. Game 4 again became a battle of goaltending.

Nabokov made 33 saves with the only goal he allowed coming off the stick of Stastny on a second period power play. Avs goalie Craig Anderson, who made 51 saves in Sunday's win, made 43 more on Tuesday.