Joe Pavelski scored 10:24 into overtime and Evgeni Nabokov stopped 33 shots, giving the top-seeded San Jose Sharks a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, tying the series up 2-2.

The entire series has been tightly contested with all four games having been decided by a goal, the last three going into overtime.

Dan Boyle gave the Sharks an early lead, knocking in a slap shot two days after scoring on his own goalie in overtime as he attempted to clear the puck.

The Sharks had one of their offensive weapons back as Dany Heatley returned after sitting out Sunday with an unspecified injury. Heatley is a member of San Jose’s top line that also includes Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.

Game 5 is Thursday in San Jose.

In other NHL playoff action:

• Jimmy Howard had a 29-save shutout while Henrik Zetterberg scored twice and Pavel Datsyuk had a goal, leading the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-0 series-evening win over the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 on Tuesday night.
• Sidney Crosby led a 2nd period offensive onslaught  and finished with four points, including two of Pittsburgh’s five goals in the second, leading the Penguins to a 7-4 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night and a 3-1 series lead.
• Jeff Carter scored two goals and Danny Briere had one to snap scoring funks and lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night and a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series.
• David Legwand scored the go-ahead goal and had 2 assists as the Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 Tuesday night to take a 2-1 series lead.
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