NHL west finals Detroit Redwings vs. Anaheim Ducks Game 5 Preview

[The General]

3:00 PM on NBC


(Sports Network) - The deadlocked Western Conference finals will return to the Motor City this afternoon, when the Detroit Red Wings welcome the Anaheim Ducks for a pivotal Game 5 matchup at Joe Louis Arena.

This best-of-seven series is tied at two games apiece after Anaheim salvaged a split at home by winning Thursday's contest against the visiting Red Wings. Detroit, the West's top seed, won the opener of this set and the clubs have alternated victories since then.

Ryan Getzlaf's goal early in the third period was the game-winner as Anaheim topped Detroit, 5-3, in Game 4 at the Honda Center.

Getzlaf's go-ahead tally came at 5:24 of the final stanza, as he took a drop pass by Teemu Selanne at the right point and zipped a wrister through a screen and into the net just inside the far post.

Rob Niedermayer added insurance when he hit the empty net with 1:08 remaining.

Selanne had a goal and two assists for the Ducks, who responded in a big way without the services of defenseman Chris Pronger, who served a one-game suspension for a hit on Tomas Holmstrom in Game 3. Pronger, a finalist for this year's Norris Trophy, will be back on the ice tonight.

As for Getzlaf, he has been the most productive forward for the second-seeded Ducks in this postseason. The 22-year-old centerman from Saskatchewan is leading all Anaheim forwards with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists). Pronger has the overall club lead with 12 points (3g, 9a).

Corey Perry and Ric Jackman also lit the lamp on Thursday and Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 36 saves to post his seventh win of the playoffs.

Giguere rebounded from a poor outing in Game 3, when he was pulled after surrendering three goals on 13 shots. The 2003 Conn Smythe winner is 7-3 with a 1.88 goals against average and .930 save percentage in the playoffs this year.

A big factor for Anaheim in Game 4 was that the club's power-play unit came alive, as the team scored two goals on five opportunities with the man advantage after going 0-for-16 in the first three games. This is despite the fact that the Ducks were without Pronger, who is widely considered to be the team's best weapon on the power play.

Dan Cleary scored twice for the Red Wings in Game 4, but Detroit was still unable to take the commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Todd Bertuzzi added a goal and an assist, but defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom was held without a point for the first time in this series.

Dominik Hasek, Detroit's 42-year-old goaltender, struggled in Thursday's game as he gave up four goals on 22 shots and fell to 10-6 in the postseason. The legendary Czech backstop still has excellent numbers in the playoffs with a 1.67 GAA and .928 save percentage.

Anaheim is in the West finals for the second straight year and for the third time in the past four seasons. They are trying to make it to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 2003, when they lost in seven games to New Jersey.

This is the fourth time Detroit and the Ducks have met in the playoffs. The Red Wings swept Anaheim in the first round of the 1997 and 1999 playoffs only to watch the Ducks return the favor with a shocking four-game sweep in the 2003 conference quarterfinals.

This series will head back to Anaheim on Tuesday evening, when the teams will get together for Game 6 at the Honda Center.

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[The General]

I don't have a strong opinion here today so I may lean on one of you other posters and tag along if I see a good case presented for either side or total.

[Jago]

I don't have a strong opinion on this game either, but I'm rolling the dice and going with Detroit.

[The General]

How do you feel about the total, Jago?

Thanks

[Jago]

Originally Posted by The General

How do you feel about the total, Jago?

Thanks

I was going to say I liked the over but this game has a 2-1 feel about it. Speak of the devil Detroit just scored.

[The General]

I played the over 4½ laying $1.35 so I need to get a 2-2 somehow. That may be the best (only) chance for me.

[Jago]

Originally Posted by The General

I played the over 4½ laying $1.35 so I need to get a 2-2 somehow. That may be the best (only) chance for me.

The good news is, Detroit looks really good on the PP even though they haven't scored and Anaheim is beginning to take penalties. Took "em long enough, I was worried they were going to play disciplined hockey the entire game. If Detroit can get one here I say you have a decent chance. If the Ducks tie it then not so much since both teams would probably play it safe. I thought the over 4.5 was a good bet but thats the nature of the beast.

[The General]

I was looking at the Det PP differently. I am seeking a score and I reckon I am expecting to much from them.

I'm hoping Detroit comes thru for you.

[Jago]

After a pretty even first period Detroit took over the 2nd. The bad news is Anaheim is only a goal from tying it. My crystal ball is telling me it's going to be a 2-1 final. I'm hoping Detroit comes through but this game is up in the air right now. If the Ducks keep taking penalties it's definitely's Detroit's game to lose.

[Jago]

Originally Posted by The General

I was looking at the Det PP differently. I am seeking a score and I reckon I am expecting to much from them.

I'm hoping Detroit comes thru for you.

Sucks when you need an over to come through, but they threw everything they had at Giguere but credit Giguere and the D. Shots were 15-3 that period and I thought they were good scoring chances. It's not looking good but never say never, all you need is 2 goals by the Ducks and 1 by Detroit and you're guaranteed the cover.

[Jago]

Unfortunately I got a baseball game I must attend to so I'm going to miss the rest of this game. Damn these afternoon games LOL.

[The General]

Ready for some more.