On the day that Henrik Sedin was born, Sept. 26, 1980 (in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden), 19-year-old Igor Larionov was preparing for his third full season with HK Khimik in the Soviet Union.

	Henrik Sedin on his OT winner: "I saw it on TV, it hit (Larionov) on his shoulder."

Nearly 22 years later, on the opening night of these Stanley Cup playoffs, the two men -- at different ends of their professional careers -- were bound together by a strange twist of hockey fate. Or, more simply, by a couple of odd bounces of the puck.

In the end, the hockey gods who rule over such bizarre caroms (you know, the same gods who helped Belarus past Sweden at the Olympics) smiled on the young Swede, while turning their backs on the league’s oldest player.

As you’ve probably seen or read about by now, Sedin (whose twin brother, Daniel, doubles as his teammate) was credited with the unassisted overtime game-winner in the Vancouver Canucks' surprising 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of their first round Western Conference quarterfinal series. And, to his credit, Sedin provided one of the most low-key OT game-winning celebrations in recent memory. Then again, that may be how you react when you're totally stunned by what you've just done.

Sedin's 'let-me-just-throw-it-at-the-net' wrist shot from just above the right circle at 13:59 of the first overtime session turned suddenly lethal when it glanced off the left arm of Larionov, who was diligently cruising back into his defensive zone coverage between Sedin and Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek. The re-directed puck zipped just inches over the flipper-like left glove arm of a surprised (and annoyed) Hasek, who stared at Larionov in disbelief as the Canucks rallied around Sedin.

Just like that, Henrik Sedin -- the second-year prospect -- was the hero of the day. And, Larionov -- the future Hall of Famer -- was the goat.

But, just about an hour earlier, Sedin and Larionov’s roles were reversed. And, oddly enough, Larionov’s left arm played a part in that action, as well.

In the opening minutes of the third period, with the score tied, 2-2, Larionov drove to the Canucks’ net alongside teammate Steve Duchesne, who had shot the puck at Canucks goalie Dan Cloutier. As Larionov moved toward the cage in search of a rebound, Sedin attempted to slow down the Russian legend. In doing so, Sedin upended Larionov, who slid into Cloutier. In the collision, the loose puck bounced off Larionov's left arm and into the net.

As the seconds ticked off the game clock at Joe Louis Arena, it looked like Larionov's odd goal would hold up as the game winner. It looked like the old-timer would be the hero, while the kids would wear the goat horns.

But, it wasn't to be Larionov’s night. With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, born-again Canuck Trevor Linden -- taking advantage of a misguided clearing pass by Wings defenseman Mathieu Dandenault -- beat Hasek with a quick wrister to force overtime.

Then, those pesky hockey gods played their little trick on the Wings.

On this opening playoff night, the baby-faced Sedin would be the hero. And, the red-hot Canucks would keep the ice-cold Wings in their 0-for-April skid.

Just remember, though -- things can change awfully fast, especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Just ask Henrik Sedin or Igor Larionov.

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.