Ducks rally by Detroit
DETROIT — The Western Conference finals have been filled with twists and turns, the kind that can neutralize the momentum normally expected of a Game 5 victory.
As Detroit and Anaheim head back to California, the Ducks are hoping they can maintain control of the best-of-seven series after handing the Red Wings a devastating defeat.
Scott Niedermayer scored with 47.3 seconds left in regulation and Teemu Selanne had the game-winner 11:57 into overtime Sunday to give the Ducks a 2-1 win and a 3-2 series lead.
The first time the Ducks grabbed momentum and a victory in Detroit in this series, the Red Wings responded with a 5-0 win at Anaheim in Game 3.
Game 6 is Tuesday night in Anaheim, where the Ducks will have a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup finals for a second time. Detroit coach Mike Babcock led Anaheim past the Red Wings en route to the 2003 finals.
"Having that home-ice advantage, it's a good place to try and finish them," Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger said. "But we've got to play better."
If Game 7 is necessary, it'll be played Thursday night in Detroit.
Eastern Conference champion Ottawa, which eliminated Buffalo on Saturday, will open the Stanley Cup finals on the road against Anaheim or Detroit.
The Red Wings were outplayed in the first two games at home, but lucky bounces helped them split.
In Games 4 and 5, they controlled play and ended up with nothing to show for it in large part because of Anaheim goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
"I think they're dominating the games," Selanne said. "Giguere has been unbelievable."
The Red Wings had plenty of chances to score more Sunday but finished 0-for-7 on the power play. Detroit had a man advantage that started 7:53 into overtime but couldn't get the puck past Giguere, who improved to 12-1 in overtime playoff games.
Andreas Lilja, who scored Detroit's lone goal, turned the puck over and Selanne got to it. A split-second later, he sent a backhander over a sprawling Dominik Hasek.
It looked like Anaheim was going to lose for the first 59 minutes of Game 5.
Lilja scored his first playoff goal at 6:13 of the second period, and Detroit clung to the one-goal lead. The Ducks hung in there and it paid off.
Pavel Datsyuk was called for interference with 1:47 to go and Anaheim took advantage of the opportunity, pulling Giguere for a 6-on-4 skating edge.
"It's a good move — when it works," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said.
Niedermayer's shot from the left circle was lifted off the ice by the stick of fellow Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom as the Detroit defenseman tried to block it. Hasek didn't seem to see the puck until it was already in the net.
"That's hockey," Babcock said.
