SCOREBOARD
Saturday, May 5
Ottawa at New Jersey (8 p.m. EDT). The Senators can advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in team history with a win in Game 5 of the semifinals.
STAR
Thursday
-Scott Niedermayer, Ducks, scored 4:30 into the second overtime to give Anaheim a 2-1 win over Vancouver.
JUST DUCKY
Anaheim advanced to the Western Conference finals for the second straight year and third time in four seasons with a 2-1 double-overtime win over Vancouver in Game 5 of the semifinals on Thursday night. The Ducks, who needed overtime to win the last two games of the series, lost to Edmonton in the conference finals last year.
UNEXPECTED RELIEF
Facing elimination against Anaheim on Thursday night, Vancouver had to send in backup goalie Dany Sabourin at the start of the first overtime period because starter Roberto Luongo had equipment problems. Sabourin stopped all five shots he faced before Luongo returned. The Canucks eventually lost 2-1 in double-overtime.
SIX PACK
Vancouver played in its second straight overtime game and sixth in this year’s postseason on Thursday night, but were eliminated with a 2-1 double-overtime loss at Anaheim. The Canucks split those six games, including a 1-2 mark against the Ducks.
ABOUT FACE
Forward Bill Guerin is unlikely to play in San Jose’s next playoff game against Detroit after a teammate’s deflected shot seriously cut his face in Game 4. During overtime, defenseman Christian Ehrhoff’s shot was deflected straight at Guerin, who dropped to the ice and left a pool of blood before skating to the dressing room.
SURGERY
Rick DiPietro had hip surgery this week, and the New York Islanders goalie is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp in September.
SPEAKING
“We need some of our guys to wake up. You can’t take a week off in the second round of the playoffs. We also need to have more contributions and creativity from more than just one line. Both losses in this series hurt, but you have to bounce back. Some of the same people in the same positions put their teammates down. Those guys need to look in the mirror and say, ‘I got to do a better job because I’m letting all of my teammates down.”’ – San Jose coach Ron Wilson on Detroit tying the semifinal series at two games apiece. The Red Wings won 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night after tying the game in the final minute of regulation.