It?s not exactly a television executive?s dream matchup, but there?s an entirely real possibility that the 2007 Stanley Cup final will feature the Ottawa Senators taking on the Anaheim Ducks. One more win by the Ducks over the Wings makes that series happen.
Anaheim now has a 3-2 advantage in the Western Conference final after beating Detroit 2-1 in overtime on Sunday afternoon. Andres Lilja opened the scoring for the Red Wings in that contest, but Scott Niedermayer sent the game into an extra frame with a marker at 19:12 of the third period. Teemu Selanne then potted the winner in overtime.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere had a strong outing between the pipes for the Ducks on Sunday, stopping 36-of-37 Detroit shots (and earning Second Star honors). Dominik Hasek was not nearly as busy in goal for the Wings, picking up just 24 saves in the loss.
Sunday?s win was the second in a row for Anaheim in this series ? they also came out on top 5-3 in Game 4 on Thursday night. Giguere was solid in that contest as well, stopping 36-of-39 shots, and making 28 saves through the first two periods. Selanne had a goal and two assists in Game 4, and Ryan Getzlaf scored the game-winner on the power play early in the third period. Dan Cleary scored twice in the loss for Detroit.
If Anaheim can run that winning streak to three games, they?ll move on to face the Senators in the Stanley Cup final. They?ll get that chance at home on Tuesday night, with the Game 6 opening faceoff set for 9:00pm ET. The Ducks? win on Thursday came on home ice, but they were also blasted 5-0 by the Red Wings at the Honda Center back in Game 3. Giguere was yanked after allowing three goals on 13 shots that night.
That makes Anaheim 1-1 at home so far in this series, and they?ve allowed eight goals over those two contests in friendly confines. The Ducks actually have a better record at Joe Louis Arena in this seven-game set; they?re 2-1 (both wins in overtime) on the road. If Anaheim falls short on Tuesday night, they?ll get a chance to improve on that road record; a deciding Game 7 would be played in Detroit on Thursday night (at 7:30pm ET).
Chris Pronger returned to the lineup for Anaheim on Sunday, after serving his one-game suspension. The only scratch for the Ducks in Game 5 was forward Chris Kunitz, who is likely out for the rest of the playoffs with a hand injury. The Red Wings are still down a pair of D-men in Mathieu Schneider and Niklas Kronwall. Schneider is out for the year with a broken wrist, while Kronwall could be back if his team reaches the Cup final.
The Red Wings are considered one of the league?s marquee franchises, but they are actually working on a longer Cup final drought than the Ducks right now. Detroit last qualified for the final series during the 2001/02 season, when they beat the Carolina Hurricanes in five games to take home the trophy. The Ducks, though, were in the final in 2002/03, when they lost to the New Jersey Devils in seven.
The franchise representing the Eastern Conference will be making their first (modern-day) appearance in the Stanley Cup final ? and they?ll be looking to use their upcoming time off for rest and preparation. The Senators had fewer points than both the Red Wings and the Ducks during the regular season, but they?re a stellar 12-3 so far in the playoffs. Watch for Daniel Alfredsson and company to be listed as the favorites later this week.
Check the BetUS odds section for the latest lines and series prices for the NHL playoffs.
Anaheim now has a 3-2 advantage in the Western Conference final after beating Detroit 2-1 in overtime on Sunday afternoon. Andres Lilja opened the scoring for the Red Wings in that contest, but Scott Niedermayer sent the game into an extra frame with a marker at 19:12 of the third period. Teemu Selanne then potted the winner in overtime.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere had a strong outing between the pipes for the Ducks on Sunday, stopping 36-of-37 Detroit shots (and earning Second Star honors). Dominik Hasek was not nearly as busy in goal for the Wings, picking up just 24 saves in the loss.
Sunday?s win was the second in a row for Anaheim in this series ? they also came out on top 5-3 in Game 4 on Thursday night. Giguere was solid in that contest as well, stopping 36-of-39 shots, and making 28 saves through the first two periods. Selanne had a goal and two assists in Game 4, and Ryan Getzlaf scored the game-winner on the power play early in the third period. Dan Cleary scored twice in the loss for Detroit.
If Anaheim can run that winning streak to three games, they?ll move on to face the Senators in the Stanley Cup final. They?ll get that chance at home on Tuesday night, with the Game 6 opening faceoff set for 9:00pm ET. The Ducks? win on Thursday came on home ice, but they were also blasted 5-0 by the Red Wings at the Honda Center back in Game 3. Giguere was yanked after allowing three goals on 13 shots that night.
That makes Anaheim 1-1 at home so far in this series, and they?ve allowed eight goals over those two contests in friendly confines. The Ducks actually have a better record at Joe Louis Arena in this seven-game set; they?re 2-1 (both wins in overtime) on the road. If Anaheim falls short on Tuesday night, they?ll get a chance to improve on that road record; a deciding Game 7 would be played in Detroit on Thursday night (at 7:30pm ET).
Chris Pronger returned to the lineup for Anaheim on Sunday, after serving his one-game suspension. The only scratch for the Ducks in Game 5 was forward Chris Kunitz, who is likely out for the rest of the playoffs with a hand injury. The Red Wings are still down a pair of D-men in Mathieu Schneider and Niklas Kronwall. Schneider is out for the year with a broken wrist, while Kronwall could be back if his team reaches the Cup final.
The Red Wings are considered one of the league?s marquee franchises, but they are actually working on a longer Cup final drought than the Ducks right now. Detroit last qualified for the final series during the 2001/02 season, when they beat the Carolina Hurricanes in five games to take home the trophy. The Ducks, though, were in the final in 2002/03, when they lost to the New Jersey Devils in seven.
The franchise representing the Eastern Conference will be making their first (modern-day) appearance in the Stanley Cup final ? and they?ll be looking to use their upcoming time off for rest and preparation. The Senators had fewer points than both the Red Wings and the Ducks during the regular season, but they?re a stellar 12-3 so far in the playoffs. Watch for Daniel Alfredsson and company to be listed as the favorites later this week.
Check the BetUS odds section for the latest lines and series prices for the NHL playoffs.
