FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2016 file photo, Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau stands behind his bench during an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh. The Anaheim Ducks have fired coach Bruce Boudreau after their first-round exit from the playoffs. Ducks general manager Bob Murray announced the decision Friday, April 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2016 file photo, Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau stands behind his bench during an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh. The Anaheim Ducks have fired coach Bruce Boudreau after their first-round exit from the playoffs. Ducks general manager Bob Murray announced the decision Friday, April 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Dallas — Radek Faksa scored the tiebreaking goal on a rebound with 4:44 to play and had an assist on the other Dallas goal to help the Stars open the second round of the Western Conference playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Friday night.

Like Antoine Roussel did on his second-period goal on which Faksa had an assist, Faksa started the rush that led to his winner.

Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk tied it at 1 with 8:28 left in the third period with a shot from the top of the left circle after Dallas failed to clear the puck out of the zone.

Game 2 is Sunday in the best-of-seven series matching the Western Conference’s top two teams from the regular season.

After Faksa pushed the puck up the ice, Ales Hemsky had the initial shot stopped but not secured by Brian Elliott. Faksa was there to score his second goal of the playoffs.

Kari Lehtonen stopped 31 shots, withstanding a final surge when the Blues pulled Elliott out of the net and had an extra skater the final 1:40.

Ducks Fire Coach

Anaheim, Calif. — The Anaheim Ducks fired coach Bruce Boudreau on Friday, two days after their disappointing first-round exit from the playoffs.

Ducks general manager Bob Murray announced the decision to fire Boudreau, who hasn’t been able to pair postseason success with steady excellence in his two NHL coaching jobs in Anaheim and Washington. The Ducks have lost a Game 7 on home ice in four consecutive playoff years, culminating in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Nashville in the first round.

“This was a very difficult decision to make,” Murray said in a statement. “Bruce is a good coach and character person, and we wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Boudreau had spectacular regular-season success with the Ducks, leading them to four consecutive Pacific Division titles while going 208-104-40 in nearly five seasons in charge.

But the Ducks’ last four seasons have ended in pain. Anaheim blew a 3-2 series lead in each of those seasons, including the loss to the Predators.

Norris Finalists Named

New York — Los Angeles’ Drew Doughty, Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson and San Jose’s Brent Burns are the finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writer’ Association submitted ballots at the end of the regular season, with the top three designated finalists Friday. The winner will be announced June 22 during the NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

Doughty had career highs with 14 goals, 51 points and a plus-24 rating and was third in the league in average ice time at 28:01. He was third in the voting in 2010 and second last year.

Karlsson won the award in 2012 and 2015. He set Senators records for defensemen with 82 points and an NHL-high 66 assists. He led the league in average time at 28:58.

Burns set Sharks records for defensemen with 27 goals, 48 assists and 75 points.