NHL

Finally! Canucks outlast Stars in 4 OTs

Sedin gets game-winner, Luongo has 72 saves in 6th longest playoff game

Lyle Stafford / Reuters

Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo makes a save against Dallas. Luongo made a record 72 saves for a goalie in his first career playoff start as the Canucks won their playoff opener, 5-4 in four overtimes on Wednesday.

“There is just the one positive: We can beat them. There’s no doubt about that in here,” Turco said.

As Turco tried to overcome a history of poor playoff performances, a towel-waving sellout crowd of 18,630 started chanting his name 7 seconds into the game. It only got louder when Sedin opened the scoring 4 minutes later with a pass from behind the net that bounced in off the skate of defenseman Darryl Sydor.

Dallas tied it 68 seconds later after Morrow drew a penalty on a 2-on-1 rush, then converted the ensuing power play with a quick shot from the slot.

After a tight-checking, regular-season series — the teams split four games with all ending 2-1 — the Stars and Canucks opened the playoffs with a sloppy, penalty-filled first period that gave both teams four power plays.

Ohlund restored the lead with a power-play one-timer from the point and through traffic 6:26 into the second period, but Daley tied it again midway through the period.

Naslund broke the tie after jumping off the bench and onto a turnover inside the Dallas blue line, skating in alone and snapping a shot through Turco’s legs. Dallas coach Dave Tippett was incensed as replays showed Naslund came on for Trevor Linden, who was still on the ice a few feet from the bench.

Notes: Vancouver lost LW Matt Cooke late in the second period with a strained groin. LW Alexandre Burrows left in the first overtime after looking wobbly trying to get up after being hit face first into the glass by Stephane Robidas. ... Canucks C Ryan Kesler made surprising return a little more than 10 weeks after undergoing hip surgery that was supposed to keep him out 12-to-16 weeks. ... Vancouver D Brent Sopel didn’t play after hurting his back trying to pick up a cracker from the floor Tuesday, coach Alain Vigneault said. Rory Fitzpatrick took his place. ... Dallas C Eric Lindros didn’t travel to Vancouver because of a groin injury, and RW Matthew Barnaby sat out due to a concussion.

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