2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Encyclopedia
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
began on April 11, 2007. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. The series ended on June 6, 2007, with the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
defeating the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
four games to one to win their first ever championship.
Playoff seeds
After the 2006–07 NHL season, the standard of 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. The Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
were the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
regular season champions and were also the Presidents' Trophy
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
winners with the best record at 113 points (53 wins, 22 regulation losses, 7 overtime/shootout losses). The Detroit Red Wings earned the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
regular season crown with 113 points (50 wins, 19 regulation loses, 13 overtime/shootout losses).
For the first time in NHL history, neither of the two teams that played in the previous year's Stanley Cup Finals
2006 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2006 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2005–06 season. As a culmination of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers...
(the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
and the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
) qualified for the playoffs. For the first time since 1994
1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began after the conclusion of the 1993–94 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...
, all four former WHA
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
teams; Carolina (formerly the Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
), Colorado (formerly the Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
), Edmonton, and Phoenix (formerly the Winnipeg Jets) missed the playoffs in the same year. This was the only time that the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
qualified for the playoffs in their 12 years in Georgia (they became the new Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets were a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They began play in the World Hockey Association in 1972, moving to the National Hockey League in 1979 following the collapse of the WHA...
in 2011).
Eastern Conference
- Buffalo SabresBuffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
- Northeast DivisionNortheast Division (NHL)The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...
and Eastern Conference regular season champions; Presidents' Trophy winners, 113 points - New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
- Atlantic DivisionAtlantic Division (NHL)The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won...
champions, 107 points - Atlanta ThrashersAtlanta ThrashersThe Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
- Southeast DivisionSoutheast Division (NHL)The NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era ....
champions, 97 points - Ottawa SenatorsOttawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
- 105 points (48 wins) - Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
- 105 points (47 wins) - New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
- 94 points - Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
- 93 points - New York IslandersNew York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
- 92 points
Western Conference
- Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
- Central DivisionCentral Division (NHL)The NHL's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division.The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.-Current lineup:...
and Western Conference regular season champions, 113 points - Anaheim DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
- Pacific DivisionPacific Division (NHL)The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...
champions, 110 points - Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
- Northwest DivisionNorthwest Division (NHL)The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
champions, 105 points - Nashville PredatorsNashville PredatorsThe Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
- 110 points - San Jose SharksSan Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
- 107 points (51 wins) - Dallas StarsDallas StarsThe Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
- 107 points (50 wins) - Minnesota WildMinnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
- 104 points - Calgary FlamesCalgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
- 96 points
Playoff bracket
In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. The higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage, which gives them a maximum possible four games on their home ice, with the other team getting a maximum possible three. In the Stanley Cup Final, home ice is determined based on regular season points, giving the Anaheim Ducks home ice for this year's series. Each best-of-seven series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 format. This means that the higher-seeded team will have Games 1 and 2, plus 5 and 7 if necessary, played on their home ice, while the lower-seeded team will be at home for the other games. The format ensures that the team with home ice advantage will always have home ice for the "extra" game if there are an odd number of games in a series.(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (8) New York Islanders
The high scoring Buffalo Sabres had completed one of their best regular seasons ever, having won the President's Trophy, awarded to the team amassing the most points in the regular season, with 113 points.After qualifying for the Eastern Conference Finals in 1993, the Islanders had failed to win a playoff series since then. After a miserable 2005–06 season, the team hired former Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
coach Ted Nolan
Ted Nolan
Theodore John Nolan is currently the Head Coach of Latvia men's national ice hockey team...
. Under him the team posted a 92 point season in 2006–07. It was on the final day of the regular season that they clinched a playoff spot with a shootout
Shootout
A shootout is a gun battle between armed groups. A shootout often, but not necessarily, pits law enforcement against criminal elements; it could also involve two groups outside of law enforcement, such as rival gangs. A shootout in a military context A shootout is a gun battle between armed groups....
victory over the New Jersey Devils.
Game 1 went to Buffalo, but in Game 2 the Islanders beat the Sabres 3–2. However that win was overshadowed by Buffalo winning the next three games to clinch the series and move on to Round 2.
(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (7) Tampa Bay Lightning
In the spring of 2003, the Devils and Lightning met up in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, which the Devils won in five games in the first series between the two teams. The Devils and Lightning met again in 2007. However, Devils general manager Lou LamorielloLou Lamoriello
Louis "Lou" Lamoriello is the CEO, president, and general manager of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
, with three games remaining in the regular season, fired head coach Claude Julien
Claude Julien (ice hockey)
Claude Julien is Canadian professional ice hockey head coach of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . He previously served as the head coach for the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils...
so that he could coach the team going into the playoffs.
The Devils and Lightning split the first two games in New Jersey. The Lightning were able to win game three to take a series lead, but Devils center Scott Gomez
Scott Gomez
Scott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
scored the overtime goal in game four to tie the series at two games. The Devils then went on to win the next two games to take the series four games to two.
(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs. (6) New York Rangers
The Thrashers qualified for the playoffs in 2006–07, their first ever trip to the postseason. General manager Don WaddellDon Waddell
Donald Waddell is the former, and last President of the Atlanta Thrashers and a former ice hockey defenseman.-Playing career:...
arranged several trade deadline deals that brought winger Keith Tkachuk
Keith Tkachuk
Keith Matthew Tkachuk is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played for four teams and three franchises in his 19-year career. He is one of only four American-born players to score 500 goals, and is the sixth American player to score 1,000 points.- Playing career :Tkachuk began...
and defenceman Alexei Zhitnik
Alexei Zhitnik
Oleksiy Mykolaiovych "Alexei" Zhitnik is a retired Ukrainian-Russian ice hockey defenceman. Zhitnik has played more games in the National Hockey League than any other Soviet-born defenceman. He has represented the Soviet Union, CIS, and Russia internationally, and Ukraine during two NHL All-Star...
to Atlanta from the St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, respectively. This new veteran leadership helped to propel the young Thrashers into the playoffs. For the Rangers, this was the second straight season in which they qualified for the playoffs after several years of not qualifying, having been swept in four games the season earlier by the Devils. Before the 2007 Playoffs, the last time the playoffs were in Atlanta was in 1980, the year before the Calgary relocation. Coincidently, they too faced the New York Rangers.
This series proved to be no contest, however, as the Rangers swept the series in four games. It was thought that the series would be more evenly matched, and aside from the Rangers 7–0 rout of Atlanta in game three, the scores in the other three games were close. The first two games were decided by one goal, and game four was decided by two goals (one being an empty net goal.)
(4) Ottawa Senators vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins made the playoffs for the first time in five seasons and there was much hype surrounding youngsters Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury's first trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Meanwhile, Ottawa made the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year, although there were doubts about their ability to win after a disappointing round 2 loss to the Sabres in the 2006 playoffs and the departure of Zdeno Chara in the offseason.Ottawa pounced on the inexperienced Penguins early in game 1, scoring two quick first period goals on the way to a dominant 6-3 victory. Game 2 was a seesaw affair with the Penguins playing with more energy. Pittsburgh took the lead early in the first on a goal by Ryan Whitney. Ottawa answered in the 2nd period, taking a 2-1 lead on goals from Spezza and Alfredsson, before perennial Senators nemesis Gary Roberts tied the game at 2 on the powerplay. The Sens would go ahead 3-2 before Staal and Crosby scored in the third to win the second game 4-3 and tie the series 1-1.
The series shifted to Pittsburgh the next afternoon for game 3, with the Penguins hoping to capitalize on their momentum and the quick turnaround. Gary Roberts put them up 1-0 just 52 seconds into the game, but the Senators would score four unanswered goals (including two by captain Daniel Alfredsson) to go up 4-1. A late powerplay goal by Crosby (his third in 3 games) would not be enough and the Senators took a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 would be a much tighter affair, with the Senators winning 2-1 to earn a commanding 3-1 series lead on the strength of a dominant performance by goalie Ray Emery and a late goal from Anton Volchenkov.
The Penguins needed a win in game 5 to extend the series, but could not break through Ray Emery despite four first-period powerplays, including a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage. Heatley, Vermette and Kelly would score in the 2nd period enroute to a 3-0 shutout victory and a 4-1 series win.
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Calgary Flames
The Detroit Red Wings tied the Buffalo Sabres for most points in the regular season with 113, but because Buffalo had more victories, Detroit narrowly missed out on winning their third consecutive President's Trophy as the NHL's best regular season team, while the Calgary Flames barely qualified for the playoffs as the number eight seed with 96 points, one point ahead of the ninth place Colorado AvalancheColorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. The Red Wings and Flames met in the 2004 Western Conference semifinals in which the Flames won in six games, eventually losing in seven games of the Finals that year. The Red Wings were looking to silence their postseason critics and advance to the second round after having lost as the number one seed a year earlier to the eighth seed Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, who also lost in game seven of the Final. The Flames had also been bounced out of the first round the previous season. The Red Wings made several moves at the trade deadline, acquiring Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi
Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
and Kyle Calder
Kyle Calder
Kyle Charles Calder is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League...
while trading away Jason Williams. The Flames made several moves during the regular season as well, trading away Andrew Ference
Andrew Ference
Andrew James Stewart Ference is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
and Chuck Kobasew
Chuck Kobasew
Nicholas James "Chuck" Kobasew is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League .-Amateur:...
to the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
for Brad Stuart
Brad Stuart
Bradley Stuart is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
and Wayne Primeau
Wayne Primeau
Wayne Michael Primeau is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a free agent. He is the younger brother of Keith Primeau...
, as well as re-acquiring Craig Conroy
Craig Conroy
Craig Conroy is an American former professional ice hockey player and currently the Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Calgary Flames. A sixth round selection of the Montreal Canadiens at the 1990 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Conroy played 1,009 NHL games for the Canadiens, St...
.
In game one, the Red Wings dominated the Flames 4–1, in which Red Wings centre Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Valerievich Datsyuk is a professional ice hockey player from Russia and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League . He is known for his stick-handling and is considered the best two-way forward in the game today, having won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in the...
scored his first playoff goal since game seven of the 2002 Western Conference Final. Pavel Datsyuk scored again just over a minute into game two, which the Red Wings won 3–1 to take a 2–0 series lead. But the Flames won both games three and four by a 3–2 score, tying the series at two. In game five, the Flames were assessed with several penalties for stick-related infractions during a 5–1 loss, giving Detroit a 3–2 series lead. Most notably, backup goalie Jamie McLennan
Jamie McLennan
Jamie McLennan is a former professional ice hockey goaltender. He retired from playing in 2008 after spending a season with the Nippon Paper Cranes of Asia League Ice Hockey.-Playing career:...
slashed Red Wings forward Johan Franzen
Johan Franzen
Johan Franzén is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :Franzén started playing ice hockey in Boro/Vetlanda HC, Landsbro near Vetlanda in Sweden...
in the stomach only 18 seconds after relieving Mikka Kiprusoff. McLennan was immediately ejected from the game, causing Kiprusoff to return to the net; McLennan was later suspended five games. Flames coach Jim Playfair
Jim Playfair
James Playfair is the associate coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. He is a former NHL ice hockey player and a former head coach of the Calgary Flames.-Playing career:...
and the Flames organization were also fined. The Red Wings then eliminated the Flames the next night in Calgary when the game winning double overtime goal was scored, coincidentally, by Johan Franzen. The Red Wings moved on to the second round for the first time since 2004.
(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (7) Minnesota Wild
The Anaheim DucksAnaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
had won their division for the first and only time in franchise history with a franchise best 110 points. It was also the first time they had qualified for the playoffs in back to back years. The Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, only making their second playoff appearance, needed to face the team that had eliminated them in the Conference Final back in 2003.
Game one of the series began at the Honda Center. Ducks back-up goalie Ilya Bryzgalov
Ilya Bryzgalov
Ilya Nikolayevich Bryzgalov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League after being acquired by the team on June 7, 2011. He was selected in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, 44th overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.In...
began the series while starter Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Jean-Sébastien Giguère
Jean-Sébastien Giguère is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . He played major junior with the Verdun Collège Français and Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League , where he was drafted 13th...
tended to his newborn son. Pavol Demitra
Pavol Demitra
Pavol Demitra was a Slovak professional ice hockey player. He played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League , two in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League /Slovak Extraliga and one in the Kontinental Hockey League . Known as an offensive player, Demitra was a first- or second-line...
opened the scoring for Minnesota. Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to...
tied the game on a breakaway, and Dustin Penner
Dustin Penner
Dustin Penner is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League . Penner was never drafted by a team in the NHL. He was discovered and signed as a free agent by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim after playing college hockey for the...
scored the game winner late in the third. Game two was another close game, but the Ducks pulled out a 3–2 win to take a 2–0 series lead at home.
The series shifted to the Xcel Energy Centre for game three. Once again, the Ducks proved to be the superior team as they netted goals from Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and Rob Niedermayer
Rob Niedermayer
Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
. Petteri Nummelin
Petteri Nummelin
Petteri Nummelin is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman, and a former NHL defenceman for the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets. He currently plays for HC Lugano of the Swiss Nationalliga A. He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets as their fifth-round pick, #133 overall, in the...
gave the Wild a goal in the last minute of play, but the Ducks held on for a 2–1 win.
In game four, Chris Pronger
Chris Pronger
Christopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St...
opened the scoring for the Ducks. However the Wild took over the game halfway through the second period and managed a 4–1 win to keep the series going. Going back to Honda Centre for game five, Giguere returned to the net and crushed the Wild's hopes by allowing one shot past him. The Ducks won the game 4–1 and eliminated the Wild.
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) Dallas Stars
The Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
returned to the playoffs after a disappointing 2005–06 season. They had been considered underdogs from the start of the season but ended the season with 105 points, the best in franchise history. This gave them the division championship and a top seed against their first round opponent the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
, who had finished with two more points than the Canucks. This was the only seven-game series these playoffs.
Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
made his first playoff appearance in game one at General Motors Place
General Motors Place
Rogers Arena Rogers Arena Rogers Arena (nicknamed "The Phone Booth" and "The Cable Box" and also "The Garage" (when it was called GM Place) is an indoor sports arena located at 800 Griffiths Way in the downtown area of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
. After giving up the lead three times in regulation, Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin
Henrik Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . His identical twin brother Daniel also plays for the Canucks. Having played together throughout their careers, the pair are known for their effectiveness playing off one...
won the game when he converted a pass from his brother Daniel
Daniel Sedin
Daniel Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , and serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games. His identical twin brother Henrik also plays for the Canucks, and is the team captain...
at the 18:06 mark of the fourth overtime. It was the longest game the Canucks ever played, and the sixth longest playoff game in NHL history. Luongo stopped 72 of 76 shots in the 5–4 victory.
The Stars opened game two with a goal just 24 seconds in, and the Canucks were not able to recover as Dallas goaltender Marty Turco
Marty Turco
Marty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...
shut them out 2–0. After earning a split in Vancouver, the Stars returned home to American Airlines Center
American Airlines Center
The American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL....
for game three. Once again, the Stars came out with the opening goal scored by Stu Barnes
Stu Barnes
Stuart Barnes is an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . He played 16 seasons at centre in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, and Dallas Stars....
. The Canucks tied the game on a Jan Bulis
Jan Bulis
Jan Bulis is a Czech professional hockey winger who is currently playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:...
goal in the third period to send the game to overtime. The Canucks finished the Stars quickly this time as Taylor Pyatt
Taylor Pyatt
Taylor William Pyatt is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he played major-junior with the Sudbury Wolves...
scored the game winner 7:47 into the first overtime for a 2–1 win.
Game four remained scoreless into the third period. In the end, the Canucks pulled out another 2–1 victory thanks to goals from Mattias Ohlund
Mattias Öhlund
Mattias Öhlund is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Prior to joining the Lightning, he played eleven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks...
and Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
. Back at General Motors Place for game five, both Luongo and Turco pushed aside every shot in regulation, and for the third time in the series, an overtime was needed. At 6:22 mark of the first overtime, Stars captain Brenden Morrow
Brenden Morrow
Brenden Morrow is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Morrow played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winter Hawks. During his junior career, he helped Portland win the Memorial Cup during the...
tipped the winner in off a Sergei Zubov
Sergei Zubov
Sergei Alexandrovich Zubov is a former Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as well as SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League...
shot for a 1–0 victory to send the series back to Dallas. In game six, the Stars pulled out a 2–0 win to force a seventh game in Vancouver. Marty Turco recorded his third shutout of the series.
Back in Vancouver for game seven, the Stars dominated the first period and came out with a 1–0 lead. In the second period, Henrik Sedin put the Canucks on the board. It was the Canucks first goal in three games and their first at home since game one. From there on, the Canucks took over the game. Trevor Linden scored the game winner 7:00 into the third. Two empty net goals gave the Canucks a 4–1 win as well as a series win.
(4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) San Jose Sharks
The Nashville PredatorsNashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
made the playoffs for the third straight year. Their first round opponent was the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
who had eliminated the Predators in five games the year before. The seedings for both teams were the same as the year before, and once again Nashville received home ice advantage.
Game one was an evenly matched game. Both Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni Viktorovich Nabokov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .Nabokov was selected by San Jose in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
and Predators goalie Tomas Vokoun
Tomas Vokoun
Tomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
were well matched. A goal by Matt Carle
Matt Carle
Matthew Carle is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
put the Sharks on the board in the first period. Nashville netted goals from Alexander Radulov
Alexander Radulov
Alexander Valerievich Radulov is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League . Radulov is the KHL's all-time assist leader with 125 career assists...
and Jean-Pierre Dumont
Jean-Pierre Dumont
Jean-Pierre "J. P." Dumont is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He currently plays for SC Bern in the National League A.-Amateur career:Dumont played four seasons for Val-d'Or Foreurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
early in the second, but the Sharks responded with three goals to take a 4–2 lead into the third. The Predators tied the game late in the third as Radulov and Dumont each scored a second goal. Patrick Rissmiller won the game for the Sharks 8:14 into the second overtime.
In game two, after the Sharks opened the scoring, the Predators went on a scoring spree and ended up winning the game 5–2. At San Jose's HP Pavilion for game three, the Predators were considered a big underdog. In five road playoff games in the past, they had yet to win one. The Sharks came out with the greater energy and took the game 3–1. Game four was a "must win" for the Predators. However the Sharks once again came out with the greater energy. Even though the Predators capitalized on a late rush, the Sharks held on for 3–2 win and took a commanding 3–1 series lead back to Nashville. In game five, the Predators and Sharks exchanged two goals. Late in the third, Sharks captain Patrick Marleau
Patrick Marleau
Patrick Denis Marleau is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. He serves as the alternate captain for the Sharks during home games...
scored the winner to eliminate the Predators for the second year in a row.
(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) New York Rangers
The high-scoring Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
met the surprising New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with the two teams coming off first round victories. The Rangers defeated the higher seeded Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
in stunning fashion, sweeping the third seed on the heels of strong play from Michael Nylander
Michael Nylander
Michael Nylander is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre who is currently a free agent.- Playing career :Nylander was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the third round in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft...
and solid goaltending by Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three seasons in the NHL, finishing third all three times, and is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in...
. The Sabres, who were forced to work harder than they expected, still dominated a New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
team that earned a playoff berth in a shootout victory on the last day of the regular season, and defeated the eighth seed in 5 games. The Sabres had won all four games in the season series against the Rangers, leading many to believe this series may have a quick ending.
After a scoreless first period in game one, Thomas Vanek
Thomas Vanek
Thomas Vanek is an Austrian professional ice hockey left winger, an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League...
opened the series scoring with a goal late in the second. Ales Kotalik
Aleš Kotalík
Aleš Kotalík is a professional ice hockey right winger playing for HC Mountfield České Budějovice of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:...
added another Buffalo tally two minutes later and Vanek chipped in another with 1:36 left in the second. It seemed that Buffalo was showing their stride from the regular season, as the Sabres cruised to a 5-2 victory.
The Rangers opened the scoring in game two, as Martin Straka
Martin Straka
Martin Straka is a Czech ice hockey centre who plays for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner.-Playing career:...
scored a powerplay goal halfway through the first. However, the Sabres answered less than a minute later on a Brian Campbell
Brian Campbell
Brian Wesley Campbell is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
powerplay tally. Although New York would take back the lead late in the second on a Paul Mara
Paul Mara
Paul Mara is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently an unrestricted free agent of the National Hockey League ....
goal, Buffalo showed their scoring prowess in the third. Chris Drury
Chris Drury
Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a...
tipped in a Toni Lydman
Toni Lydman
Toni Lydman is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. He has previously played for the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Tappara , and HIFK . He lives with his wife Heta and his two daughters, Amanda and Ellen...
pass less than a minute into the period and Thomas Vanek scored the game winner halfway through the period off a nifty no-look pass from Drew Stafford
Drew Stafford
Drew Stafford is an American ice hockey forward, an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He started playing hockey at an early age and played for the Waukesha Warhawks in Waukesha, Wisconsin, playing with local area legends Todd Rose and Damian Carrasco-Zanini...
and Buffalo seemed well on their way to the Conference Finals as the series shifted to Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
.
However, the Blueshirts proved that they too can win on home ice, winning the game 2-1 on a Michal Rozsival
Michal Rozsival
Michal Rozsíval is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He joined the team in 2011, previously playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2000 until 2004, and the New York Rangers from 2005 to 2011.-Playing...
double overtime goal. After a game marked by great goaltending from Lundqvist and Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, Rozsival's point shot finally found the back of the net 16:43 into the second sudden death period. The goal was huge for Rozsival, as he missed time in game one and gritted through game two with a leg injury. The game was not without controversy however, as a Karel Rachunek
Karel Rachunek
Karel Rachůnek was a Czech professional ice hockey player. Rachunek was the captain of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League when the team's plane crashed on September 7, 2011. He played eight seasons in North America in the National Hockey League...
goal early in the second was overruled after review, with the officials in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
determining the puck had been kicked into the net.
More controversy arose in game four, a 2-1 Rangers victory. Danny Briere appeared to beat Lundqvist with 17 seconds left in the game, but the goal was disallowed after a lengthy review. Briere appeared to have Lundqvist beat on the short side after a nifty deke, but the overhead camera angle did not provide indisputable evidence that the puck had crossed the line. Another note from Game 4 was the scratch of Sabres winger Maxim Afinogenov
Maxim Afinogenov
Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a member of the SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League . Known for his blistering skating speed, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres 69th overall in 1997 and played nine seasons with the club. He played...
. Buffalo's sixth leading scorer in the regular season had been underwhelming in the playoffs, and coach Lindy Ruff
Lindy Ruff
Lindy Cameron Ruff is the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. Ruff played in the NHL for the Sabres and New York Rangers as a left winger/defenceman. Currently, he is the longest-tenured head coach in the NHL.-Playing career:Ruff was chosen in the second round, 32nd...
was looking to send a message.
Game five was back to Buffalo, and the strong goaltending from the two young keepers continued. Miller turned away 14 shots through the first two periods until an innocent looking shot by Martin Straka snuck over Miller's shoulder and hit the goal cam in the back of the net with just over 3 minutes left in regulation. Lundqvist again seemed unbeatable, having stopped the first 36 shots he faced. However, the 37th Buffalo shot was one that Sabres fans will always remember. The Sabres pulled their goaltender for a 6 on 5 advantage with the faceoff in the Rangers zone and less than 15 seconds remaining in the game. Buffalo co-captain Chris Drury won the draw and with 7.7 seconds left found the back of the net on a Tim Connolly rebound and through a Thomas Vanek screen. The game was not over however, and still another hero would be crowned on this Friday night in the Queen City. With Blair Betts
Blair Betts
Blair Betts is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
off for hooking less than 5 minutes into overtime, Lindy Ruff gave Maxim Afinogenov a chance to redeem himself for his poor play. Afinogenov came through, getting off a quick slapshot from the point that beat Lundqvist five hole. Afinogenov took several strides before diving across center ice, and his jubilant teammates joined him in celebration.
Buffalo would carry this momentum back to New York, where the Rangers had yet to lose in the playoffs. While the Rangers took the lead late in the first, Buffalo exploded for four goals in the second and another in the third, including two by forward Jochen Hecht
Jochen Hecht
Jochen Hecht is a German professional ice hockey player for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
. The Rangers would not go down easily however, with Michael Nylander
Michael Nylander
Michael Nylander is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre who is currently a free agent.- Playing career :Nylander was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the third round in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft...
drawing the Blueshirts within one with less than three minutes to play. The Sabres however were able to hold on and win the game 5-4, taking the series in six games. A lasting effect from the series may have been Chris Drury's strong play, as the Rangers signed the pivot to a free agent contract after the season.
| Game-by-game | Score | Buffalo goals | NY Rangers goals | Winning goalie | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 25 | at Buffalo 5, Rangers 2 | Vanek Thomas Vanek Thomas Vanek is an Austrian professional ice hockey left winger, an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League... 2, Kotalik Aleš Kotalík Aleš Kotalík is a professional ice hockey right winger playing for HC Mountfield České Budějovice of the Czech Extraliga.-Playing career:... , Pominville Jason Pominville Jason John Pominville is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey right winger and the captain of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , Stafford Drew Stafford Drew Stafford is an American ice hockey forward, an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He started playing hockey at an early age and played for the Waukesha Warhawks in Waukesha, Wisconsin, playing with local area legends Todd Rose and Damian Carrasco-Zanini... |
Hossa Marcel Hossa Marcel Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player currently playing for Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League . His older brother Marián plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , Shanahan Brendan Shanahan Brendan Frederick "Shanny" Shanahan is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently serves as the National Hockey League's Vice President of Hockey and Business Development and head disciplinarian. Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils second overall in the 1987 NHL Entry... |
Miller | |
| 2 | April 27 | at Buffalo 3, Rangers 2 | Campbell Brian Campbell Brian Wesley Campbell is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League... , Drury Chris Drury Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a... , Vanek |
Straka Martin Straka Martin Straka is a Czech ice hockey centre who plays for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner.-Playing career:... , Mara Paul Mara Paul Mara is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently an unrestricted free agent of the National Hockey League .... |
Miller | |
| 3 | April 29 | at Rangers 2, Buffalo 1 | 2OT 16:43 | Briere | Jagr Jaromir Jagr Jaromír Jágr is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Jágr formerly played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, serving as captain of the Penguins and the Rangers... , Rozsival Michal Rozsival Michal Rozsíval is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He joined the team in 2011, previously playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2000 until 2004, and the New York Rangers from 2005 to 2011.-Playing... |
Lundqvist Henrik Lundqvist Henrik Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three seasons in the NHL, finishing third all three times, and is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in... |
| 4 | May 1 | at Rangers 2, Buffalo 1 | Kotalik | Jagr, Shanahan | Lundqvist | |
| 5 | May 4 | at Buffalo 2, Rangers 1 | OT 4:39 | Drury, Afinogenov Maxim Afinogenov Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a member of the SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League . Known for his blistering skating speed, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres 69th overall in 1997 and played nine seasons with the club. He played... |
Straka | Miller |
| 6 | May 6 | Buffalo 5, at Rangers 4 | Kalinin Dmitri Kalinin Dmitry Vladimirovich Kalinin is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:... , Pominville, Hecht Jochen Hecht Jochen Hecht is a German professional ice hockey player for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... 2, Drury |
Nylander Michael Nylander Michael Nylander is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre who is currently a free agent.- Playing career :Nylander was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the third round in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft... 2, Mara, Jagr |
Miller | |
| Sabres win series 4–2 | Drury 3, Vanek 3, 3 tied with 2 | Jagr 3, Shanahan 2, Straka 2, Mara 2, Nylander 2 | ||||
(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (4) Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa SenatorsOttawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, having eliminated the young Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in the opening round, had to face the team that had stopped them one game short of the Stanley Cup Final in 2003.
Game one of the series began at Continental Airlines Arena
Continental Airlines Arena
Izod Center is a multi-purpose arena, in the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 1981 and currently has a maximum seating capacity of 20,000...
. The Senators came out with all the energy and capitalized on every Devils mistake to jump out to a 4–0 lead. From the second period on, the Devils stole the momentum, and the Senators needed to hold on for a 5–4 victory.
Both teams were ready for game two, but it was the Devils who held a 2–1 lead in the third period. The Senators tied the game late in the third, but Jamie Langenbrunner
Jamie Langenbrunner
James Craig Langenbrunner is an American professional ice hockey player. He's an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League . He was the captain of the 2010 United States Olympic Team...
scored the winning goal for the Devils 1:55 into the second overtime. Game three at Scotiabank Place
Scotiabank Place
Scotiabank Place is a multi-purpose arena, located in Kanata, a suburban district of Ottawa, Ontario. It is home to the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. It has also hosted the Canadian University Men's Basketball Championship...
turned out to be a defensive battle. The game remained scoreless into the third period before Tom Preissing
Tom Preissing
Thomas Joseph Preissing is an American professional ice hockey Defenseman currently playing for EHC Biel of the Swiss National League A...
put the Senators on the board. An empty net goal was added for a 2–0 Senators win.
The teams were evenly matched once again in game four, but the Senators won 3–2.
The Senators returned to Continental Airlines Arena for game five with a chance to finish the series. Scott Gomez
Scott Gomez
Scott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
scored for the Devils first, but the Senators responded with three straight goals. Gomez gave the Devils a late third period goal, but the Senators hung on to win 3–2 in the final game ever played at Continental Airlines Arena. The Devils would play at Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
's Prudential Center starting next season. The Senators advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in their history.
| Game-by-game | Score | New Jersey goals | Ottawa goals | Winning goalie | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 26 | Ottawa 5, at New Jersey 4 | Zajac Travis Zajac Travis Zajac is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . He was selected 20th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils.... , Gionta Brian Gionta Brian Joseph Gionta is an American professional ice hockey player and captain of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League , and is the second American-born captain of the Canadiens and its first sole American-born captain... , Greene Andy Greene Andy Greene is an American ice hockey player who plays for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:... , Parise Zach Parise Zachary Justin Parise is an American professional ice hockey left winger of French-Canadian origin and captain of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . Parise's father, J. P... |
Spezza Jason Spezza Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League... , Corvo Joe Corvo Joseph Corvo is an American professional ice hockey player who plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Corvo was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 4th round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.-Early career:... , McAmmond Dean McAmmond Dean McAmmond is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. McAmmond has played in the National Hockey League since 1991 for several teams and is currently a free agent.-Pre-NHL career:... , Heatley Dany Heatley Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002... , Redden Wade Redden Wade Redden is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in the New York Rangers organization for its American Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. He joined the New York Rangers in 2008 after 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators... |
Emery Ray Emery Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey... |
|
| 2 | April 28 | at New Jersey 3, Ottawa 2 | 2OT 1:55 | Gionta, Brylin Sergei Brylin Sergei Vladimirovich Brylin is a Russian professional ice hockey center currently playing for Metallurg Novokuznetsk of the Kontinental Hockey League... , Langenbrunner Jamie Langenbrunner James Craig Langenbrunner is an American professional ice hockey player. He's an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League . He was the captain of the 2010 United States Olympic Team... |
Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators... , Heatley |
Brodeur Martin Brodeur Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two... |
| 3 | April 30 | at Ottawa 2, New Jersey 0 | Preissing Tom Preissing Thomas Joseph Preissing is an American professional ice hockey Defenseman currently playing for EHC Biel of the Swiss National League A... , Spezza |
Emery | ||
| 4 | May 2 | at Ottawa 3, New Jersey 2 | Gionta, Pandolfo Jay Pandolfo Jay Paul Pandolfo is an American professional ice hockey forward currently a member of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League.He spent most of his career with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League... |
Alfredsson, Heatley, Fisher | Emery | |
| 5 | May 5 | Ottawa 3, at New Jersey 2 | Gomez Scott Gomez Scott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... 2 |
Vermette Antoine Vermette Antoine Vermette is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League .-QMJHL:... , Spezza, Alfredsson |
Emery | |
| Senators win series 4–1 | Gionta 3, Gomez 2 | Heatley 3, Spezza 3, Alfredsson 3 | ||||
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (5) San Jose Sharks
The Red Wings and Sharks met in the postseason for the first time since 1995, when the Red Wings swept the Sharks in four games. Evgeni Nabokov and the Sharks shut out Detroit in game one in Detroit by a score of 2-0, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Red Wings drew even with a come-from-behind victory in game two, with Pavel Datsyuk scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:24 remaining in the third period.The series then shifted to San Jose for games three and four. The Sharks won game three with Jonathan Cheechoo
Jonathan Cheechoo
Jonathan Earl Cheechoo is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League. During the 2005–06 National Hockey League season, he led the NHL with 56 goals and won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy...
scoring the game winner, taking a 2-1 series lead. After being down 2–1 with less than a minute left in game four, the Red Wings tied the game thanks to Robert Lang, and later won in overtime on a powerplay goal from Mathieu Schneider
Mathieu Schneider
Mathieu Schneider is a American former professional ice hockey player. Considered an offensive defenseman, Schneider played 1289 games in the National Hockey League with ten different teams, scoring 233 goals and totalling 743 points...
to draw the series at 2–2. Detroit then dominated the Sharks back in Detroit in game five, winning 4-1, taking a 3-2 series lead into game six back in San Jose. Two goals from Red Wings winger Mikael Samuelsson
Mikael Samuelsson
Mikael Samuelsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
and a Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
shutout won the series for the Red Wings, moving them to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2002.
| Game-by-game | Score | Detroit goals | San Jose goals | Winning goalie | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 26 | San Jose 2, at Detroit 0 | Carle Matt Carle Matthew Carle is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , Grier Mike Grier Michael James Grier is a retired professional ice hockey winger who most recently played for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He has also played professionally for the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, and San Jose Sharks... |
Nabokov Evgeni Nabokov Evgeni Viktorovich Nabokov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .Nabokov was selected by San Jose in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft... |
||
| 2 | April 28 | at Detroit 3, San Jose 2 | Zetterberg Henrik Zetterberg Henrik “Zäta" Zetterberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey center and alternate captain currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... , Cleary Daniel Cleary Daniel Cleary is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. On June 4, 2008, Cleary became the first player from Newfoundland and Labrador to get his name on the Stanley Cup when the Red Wings won hockey's top prize... , Datsyuk Pavel Datsyuk Pavel Valerievich Datsyuk is a professional ice hockey player from Russia and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League . He is known for his stick-handling and is considered the best two-way forward in the game today, having won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in the... |
Cheechoo Jonathan Cheechoo Jonathan Earl Cheechoo is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League. During the 2005–06 National Hockey League season, he led the NHL with 56 goals and won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy... , Thornton Joe Thornton Joseph Eric Thornton is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He was selected first overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play seven seasons with the club, five as its Captain. During the... |
Hasek Dominik Hašek Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the... |
|
| 3 | April 30 | at San Jose 2, Detroit 1 | Lidstrom Nicklas Lidström Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain... |
Clowe Ryane Clowe Ryane Clowe is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He serves as an alternate captain for the Sharks during away games.-Playing career:... , Cheechoo |
Nabokov | |
| 4 | May 2 | Detroit 3, at San Jose 2 | OT 16:04 | Holmstrom Tomas Holmström Tomas Holmström is a Swedish professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League , where he has won four Stanley Cup championships... , Lang, Schneider Mathieu Schneider Mathieu Schneider is a American former professional ice hockey player. Considered an offensive defenseman, Schneider played 1289 games in the National Hockey League with ten different teams, scoring 233 goals and totalling 743 points... |
Cheechoo, Goc Marcel Goc Marcel Goc is a German professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
Hasek |
| 5 | May 5 | at Detroit 4, San Jose 1 | Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Samuelsson Mikael Samuelsson Mikael Samuelsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .... , Holmstrom |
Goc | Hasek | |
| 6 | May 7 | Detroit 2, at San Jose 0 | Samuelsson 2 | Hasek | ||
| Red Wings win series 4–2 | Samuelsson 3, Zetterberg 2, Datsyuk 2, Holmstrom 2 | Cheechoo 3, Goc 2 | ||||
(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks
After a thrilling seven game series against the Dallas StarsDallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
, the Canucks then had to face the Anaheim Ducks. This series featured teams that each had two brothers playing on the same team (the Sedins for Vancouver and the Niedermayers for Anaheim).
After Canucks player Jeff Cowan
Jeff Cowan
Jeff Cowan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a left winger playing for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...
opened the scoring in game one within the first eleven minutes, Anaheim answered back with three goals (two by Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and one by Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to...
) in the first period, plus two additional goals later in the game for a 5–1 win. Game two was a much closer game as Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
came back with a better performance than the first game. The game proceeded into double overtime until Vancouver's Jeff Cowan managed to score from a very tight angle to tie the series 1–1 going into Vancouver.
Despite receiving nine penalties (including four straight during the first period) in game three, Anaheim managed to win the game 3–2 in regulation in Vancouver thanks to a game winning slap shot by Corey Perry
Corey Perry
Corey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he captured a Memorial Cup with the London Knights and a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships during...
. Game four was a different story, however, as Vancouver jumped ahead in scoring 2–0 after two periods in an effort to tie the series. But during the third period, Anaheim came back with goals from Pronger and Selanne to tie the game, plus a goal by Travis Moen
Travis Moen
Travis Moen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Although he was born in Swift Current, he grew up in Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan...
shortly into overtime extended the series lead to 3–1.
In game five, Luongo stopped 47 shots and helped keep the score tied at one after three periods (in the end, the Ducks had 65 shots on goal). At the start of overtime, Vancouver unexpectedly switched goalies, later revealing Luongo had an untimely case of diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
. After Dany Sabourin
Dany Sabourin
Daniel Sabourin is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently under contract for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
successfully stopped Anaheim shots, Luongo returned to the net and kept the game tied going into double overtime. Shortly into the second overtime period, Rob Niedermayer
Rob Niedermayer
Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
delivered a hit on Jannik Hansen
Jannik Hansen
Jannik Hansen is a Danish professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Hansen began playing professionally at the age of 16 with both the Rødovre Mighty Bulls of the Danish league and the Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish J20...
. The puck came to Scott Niedermayer
Scott Niedermayer
Scott Niedermayer is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for two teams: the New Jersey Devils and the Anaheim Ducks. Niedermayer was known for his skating stride, and ability for leading or joining the offensive rush...
, who fired a wrist shot that found the back of the net, giving the Ducks the overtime and series victory, moving them to the Western Conference Final.
Replays showed that Luongo's glove hand was up trying to signal to referees that he thought the hit was an elbow, and the puck went through where his glove should have been. When Luongo was announced as the second star of the game, many at the Honda Center cheered.
| Game-by-game | Score | Anaheim goals | Vancouver goals | Winning goalie | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 25 | at Anaheim 5, Vancouver 1 | McDonald Andy McDonald Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... 3, Selanne Teemu Selänne Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to... , Getzlaf Ryan Getzlaf Ryan Getzlaf is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre and the captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he played junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen... |
Cowan Jeff Cowan Jeff Cowan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a left winger playing for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:... |
Giguere Jean-Sébastien Giguère Jean-Sébastien Giguère is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . He played major junior with the Verdun Collège Français and Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League , where he was drafted 13th... |
|
| 2 | April 27 | Vancouver 2, at Anaheim 1 | 2OT 7:49 | Moen Travis Moen Travis Moen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Although he was born in Swift Current, he grew up in Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan... |
Naslund Markus Näslund Sten Markus Näslund is a Swedish ice hockey general manager for Modo Hockey and a retired professional winger. He played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, as well as in the Elitserien with Modo Hockey... , Cowan |
Luongo Roberto Luongo Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending... |
| 3 | April 29 | Anaheim 3, at Vancouver 2 | Penner Dustin Penner Dustin Penner is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League . Penner was never drafted by a team in the NHL. He was discovered and signed as a free agent by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim after playing college hockey for the... , Beauchemin François Beauchemin François Beauchemin is a French Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently a member of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League, his second tenure with the organization.-Playing career:... , Perry Corey Perry Corey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he captured a Memorial Cup with the London Knights and a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships during... |
Naslund, D. Sedin Daniel Sedin Daniel Sedin is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League , and serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games. His identical twin brother Henrik also plays for the Canucks, and is the team captain... |
Giguere | |
| 4 | May 1 | Anaheim 3, at Vancouver 2 | OT 2:07 | Pronger Chris Pronger Christopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St... , Selanne, Moen |
Naslund, Morrison Brendan Morrison Brendan Morrison is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League... |
Giguere |
| 5 | May 3 | at Anaheim 2, Vancouver 1 | 2OT 4:30 | Pahlsson Samuel Påhlsson Samuel Påhlsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League .-Professional:... , S. Niedermayer Scott Niedermayer Scott Niedermayer is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for two teams: the New Jersey Devils and the Anaheim Ducks. Niedermayer was known for his skating stride, and ability for leading or joining the offensive rush... |
Burrows Alexandre Burrows Alexandre Ménard-Burrows is a French-Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He is known for playing in the style of an agitator and for his ascension to the NHL from being an undrafted player in the ECHL... |
Giguere |
| Ducks win series 4–1 | McDonald 3, Selanne 2, Moen 2 | Naslund 3, Cowan 2 | ||||
(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (4) Ottawa Senators
In the previous year, Buffalo, who were the 4 seed, surprised the 1 seeded Senators in the conference semi-final, eliminating them in 5 games. The playoff animosity from the previous year carried on into this year. The Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres had been at each other's throats throughout the season. On February 22, 2007, Ottawa enforcer Chris Neil delivered a controversial hit to Buffalo's Chris DruryChris Drury
Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a...
, seriously injuring Drury and sparking an in-game brawl between the two teams, which featured a fight between Buffalo player Andrew Peters
Andrew Peters
Andrew Peters is a retired Canadian ice hockey left winger- Playing career :Peters was drafted 34th overall by the Sabres in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft...
and Ottawa goalie Ray Emery
Ray Emery
Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey...
plus a heated argument between coaches Bryan Murray and Lindy Ruff
Lindy Ruff
Lindy Cameron Ruff is the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. Ruff played in the NHL for the Sabres and New York Rangers as a left winger/defenceman. Currently, he is the longest-tenured head coach in the NHL.-Playing career:Ruff was chosen in the second round, 32nd...
.
In game one at Buffalo, Ottawa opened the series with goals by Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators...
respectively to start with a 2–0 lead in the first period of game one. The Sabres answered later in the first and midway through the second period with goals by Maxim Afinogenov
Maxim Afinogenov
Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a member of the SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League . Known for his blistering skating speed, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres 69th overall in 1997 and played nine seasons with the club. He played...
and Toni Lydman
Toni Lydman
Toni Lydman is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. He has previously played for the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Tappara , and HIFK . He lives with his wife Heta and his two daughters, Amanda and Ellen...
to tie the game 2–2. The Senators then took control of the third period and scored three more goals to win 5–2 and take the series lead.
In game two the Sabres jumped ahead in scoring during the first period with two goals. But Ottawa later caught up and tied the game 2–2 by the second period. Ottawa defenceman Wade Redden
Wade Redden
Wade Redden is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in the New York Rangers organization for its American Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. He joined the New York Rangers in 2008 after 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators...
gave the Senators the lead by the end of the second period with a power play goal. Buffalo did not answer until late in the third period on a power play goal by Danny Briere with only six seconds left to tie the game. Senators defenceman Joe Corvo
Joe Corvo
Joseph Corvo is an American professional ice hockey player who plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Corvo was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 4th round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.-Early career:...
scored just off a faceoff to give Ottawa the double overtime win and a 2–0 lead in the series. This was Ottawa's first 2-0 lead in a series in their history.
Game three, in Ottawa, was kept to no scoring until the second period when Senator Captain Daniel Alfredsson shot a puck that somehow riccocheted off Sabre goalie Ryan Miller towards Alfredsson who had an open net. Ottawa took a 3–0 lead in the series.
In game four Buffalo started with a goal nine seconds into the game. Buffalo jumped ahead 3–0 in scoring before the Senators came back with two goals. Ottawa could not score a third goal and tie the game, and the Sabres fought back into the series with a 3–2 win.
Game five in Buffalo opened with a Sabre goal. But Ottawa came back and took a 2–1 lead. Afinogenov tied the game for the Sabres midway through the third period to eventually send the game into overtime. However, Daniel Alfredsson eliminated the Sabres by skating and shooting through three Buffalo players and scoring the overtime goal to send the Senators into the Stanley Cup Final.
| Game-by-game | Score | Buffalo goals | Ottawa goals | Winning goalie | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 10 | Ottawa 5, at Buffalo 2 | Afinogenov Maxim Afinogenov Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov is a Russian professional ice hockey player who is a member of the SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League . Known for his blistering skating speed, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres 69th overall in 1997 and played nine seasons with the club. He played... , Lydman Toni Lydman Toni Lydman is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. He has previously played for the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Tappara , and HIFK . He lives with his wife Heta and his two daughters, Amanda and Ellen... |
Fisher, Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators... , Saprykin Oleg Saprykin Oleg Dmitrievich Saprykin is a Russian professional ice hockey player. Saprykin currently plays for the Ufa Salavat Yulayev of the Kontinental hockey league-Playing career:... , Spezza Jason Spezza Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League... , McAmmond Dean McAmmond Dean McAmmond is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. McAmmond has played in the National Hockey League since 1991 for several teams and is currently a free agent.-Pre-NHL career:... |
Emery Ray Emery Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey... |
|
| 2 | May 12 | Ottawa 4, at Buffalo 3 | 2OT 4:58 | Vanek Thomas Vanek Thomas Vanek is an Austrian professional ice hockey left winger, an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League... , Hecht Jochen Hecht Jochen Hecht is a German professional ice hockey player for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , Briere |
Alfredsson, Fisher, Redden Wade Redden Wade Redden is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in the New York Rangers organization for its American Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. He joined the New York Rangers in 2008 after 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators... , Corvo Joe Corvo Joseph Corvo is an American professional ice hockey player who plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. Corvo was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 4th round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.-Early career:... |
Emery |
| 3 | May 14 | at Ottawa 1, Buffalo 0 | Alfredsson | Emery | ||
| 4 | May 16 | Buffalo 3, at Ottawa 2 | Roy Derek Roy Derek Roy is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League .-Junior career:... , Afinogenov, Drury Chris Drury Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a... |
McAmmond, Schaefer | Miller | |
| 5 | May 19 | Ottawa 3, at Buffalo 2 | OT 9:32 | Hecht, Afinogenov | Heatley Dany Heatley Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002... , Spezza, Alfredsson |
Emery |
| Senators win series 4–1 | Afinogenov 3, Hecht 2 | Alfredsson 4, Fisher 2, Spezza 2, McAmmond 2 | ||||
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks
The Western Conference Final featured the number one and two ranked Western Conference teams, the Red Wings and Ducks respectively, competing for a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. This would be the Red Wings' first trip to the Conference Final since their last Cup win in 2002 (they failed to make it past the second round for three consecutive seasons afterwards despite having terrific regular season records), while the Ducks made it for the second time since their 2003 Stanley Cup run2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League championship, began on April 9, 2003, following the 2002–03 regular season. The playoffs concluded on June 9, 2003, with the New Jersey Devils defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.The sixteen qualifying teams played...
in which they lost to New Jersey in seven games. This marked the fourth series that the Ducks and Wings played against each other in just ten years since their first meeting in 1997. All three of their previous encounters were won in 4-0 sweeps, the first two by the Wings in 1997 and 1999, and the last in 2003 by the Ducks.
Detroit opened the series at home in game one with a 2–1 victory, with both goals deflecting off Ducks defensemen. Game two was a different story as the scoring lead shifting between the teams. With the Wings leading 3–2 in the third period, a goal was ruled when the puck somehow crossed the goal line while settling over Hasek's knee as he slid backwards into the net, thus tying the game and sending it into overtime. Scott Niedermayer sealed victory for game two as he scored in overtime to tie the series.
Game three at Honda Center featured one of the most one-sided games witnessed in the playoffs, as the Red Wings blanked the Ducks 5–0 to take a 2–1 series lead. Chris Pronger
Chris Pronger
Christopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St...
was suspended by the NHL for game four. His suspension was a result of the same hit on Tomas Holmstrom
Tomas Holmström
Tomas Holmström is a Swedish professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League , where he has won four Stanley Cup championships...
that Rob Niedermayer
Rob Niedermayer
Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
was penalized for. While Pronger received no penalty for the hit during the game, Pronger was later suspended after NHL officials reviewed the replays, which showed Holmstrom being boarded from behind as a result of a Pronger elbow, drawing blood from a cut on his forehead. In game four, without Pronger, the Ducks had to step up their efforts. They dominated the first period with three goals, including a power play goal by Ric Jackman, Pronger's "stand in" for game four in his first game of the playoffs. Detroit would come back after trailing 3–1 to tie the game 3–3 in the second period, only to have the Ducks respond with a stunning wrist shot goal from the blue line by Ryan Getzlaf
Ryan Getzlaf
Ryan Getzlaf is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre and the captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he played junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen...
and an empty net goal Rob Niedermayer
Rob Niedermayer
Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
that gave Anaheim the 5–3 win and tie the series at two games.
The tied series returned to Detroit for game 5. A goal from Detroit defenceman Andreas Lilja
Andreas Lilja
Andreas Lilja is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Professional hockey:...
early in the second period put Detroit up 1–0. Throughout the game, the Red Wings dominated the play. Despite their controlling of the play, Detroit was only able to score once because of the strong play of Ducks goaltender J. S. Giguere
Jean-Sébastien Giguère
Jean-Sébastien Giguère is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . He played major junior with the Verdun Collège Français and Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League , where he was drafted 13th...
. Finally, after over 59 minutes of play, the Ducks found the inside of net via a power play goal by Scott Niedermayer with just 47 seconds left in the game. Niedermayer appeared to be attempting a pass to a Ducks player in front of the net, but his pass deflected off Detroit defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom
Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain...
's stick and over Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
's glove. Halfway into overtime, Andreas Lilja was making a routine breakout play behind his net when fore checking pressure by Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald
Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
caused Lilja to turn the puck over to Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to...
, who lifted a backhander above a sprawled Hasek to give the Ducks a stunning 2–1 overtime victory and a 3–2 series lead going back to Anaheim. Selanne's goal is considered to be the biggest goal in Ducks' franchise history. Meanwhile for the city of Detroit, this was one of two Game 5 losses suffered by their teams, at home, in OT and in the conference finals round, in the same postseason year (the other being the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
' loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
in Game 5 in the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals).
Game six almost seemed to be anticlimactic after game five starting with a short-handed goal by Rob Niedermayer. The Ducks extended the lead to three in the second period. Early in the third period, Detroit scored a goal by Henrik Zetterberg
Henrik Zetterberg
Henrik “Zäta" Zetterberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey center and alternate captain currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
. Samuel Pahlsson
Samuel Påhlsson
Samuel Påhlsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League .-Professional:...
again extended the Ducks lead by three goals shortly after. Two powerplay goals from Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Valerievich Datsyuk is a professional ice hockey player from Russia and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League . He is known for his stick-handling and is considered the best two-way forward in the game today, having won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in the...
cut the Ducks' lead to only one late in the game. But despite the late period pressure, the Anaheim Ducks were able to hold on and win the game and the series to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in their history.
| Game-by-game | Score | Detroit goals | Anaheim goals | Winning goalie | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 11 | at Detroit 2, Anaheim 1 | Zetterberg Henrik Zetterberg Henrik “Zäta" Zetterberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey center and alternate captain currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... , Holmstrom Tomas Holmström Tomas Holmström is a Swedish professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League , where he has won four Stanley Cup championships... |
Kunitz Chris Kunitz Christopher Kunitz is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has previously played for the Atlanta Thrashers and Anaheim Ducks, the latter with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2007... |
Hasek Dominik Hašek Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the... |
|
| 2 | May 13 | Anaheim 4, at Detroit 3 | OT 14:17 | Maltby Kirk Maltby Kirk Maltby is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings.-Playing career:... , Lidstrom Nicklas Lidström Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain... , Datsyuk Pavel Datsyuk Pavel Valerievich Datsyuk is a professional ice hockey player from Russia and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League . He is known for his stick-handling and is considered the best two-way forward in the game today, having won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in the... |
R. Niedermayer Rob Niedermayer Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres... , McDonald Andy McDonald Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , Moen Travis Moen Travis Moen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Although he was born in Swift Current, he grew up in Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan... , S. Niedermayer Scott Niedermayer Scott Niedermayer is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for two teams: the New Jersey Devils and the Anaheim Ducks. Niedermayer was known for his skating stride, and ability for leading or joining the offensive rush... |
Giguere Jean-Sébastien Giguère Jean-Sébastien Giguère is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . He played major junior with the Verdun Collège Français and Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League , where he was drafted 13th... |
| 3 | May 15 | Detroit 5, at Anaheim 0 | Franzen Johan Franzen Johan Franzén is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :Franzén started playing ice hockey in Boro/Vetlanda HC, Landsbro near Vetlanda in Sweden... , Holmstrom 2, Bertuzzi Todd Bertuzzi Todd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... , Filppula Valtteri Filppula Valtteri Filppula is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward, currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL... |
Hasek | ||
| 4 | May 17 | at Anaheim 5, Detroit 3 | Cleary Daniel Cleary Daniel Cleary is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. On June 4, 2008, Cleary became the first player from Newfoundland and Labrador to get his name on the Stanley Cup when the Red Wings won hockey's top prize... 2, Bertuzzi |
Perry Corey Perry Corey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he captured a Memorial Cup with the London Knights and a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships during... , Jackman, Selanne Teemu Selänne Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to... , Getzlaf Ryan Getzlaf Ryan Getzlaf is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre and the captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he played junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen... , R. Niedermayer |
Giguere | |
| 5 | May 20 | Anaheim 2, at Detroit 1 | OT 11:57 | Lilja Andreas Lilja Andreas Lilja is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Professional hockey:... |
S. Niedermayer, Selanne | Giguere |
| 6 | May 22 | at Anaheim 4, Detroit 3 | Zetterberg Henrik Zetterberg Henrik “Zäta" Zetterberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey center and alternate captain currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... , Datsyuk 2 |
R. Niedermayer, Perry, Getzlaf, Pahlsson Samuel Påhlsson Samuel Påhlsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League .-Professional:... |
Giguere | |
| Ducks win series 4–2 | Holmstrom 3, Datsyuk 3, Zetterberg 2, Bertuzzi 2, Cleary 2 | R. Niedermayer 3, S. Niedermayer 2, Perry 2, Selanne 2, Getzlaf 2 | ||||
Stanley Cup Final
For the first time since 1999, neither of the two Stanley Cup finalists (the Anaheim DucksAnaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
) had previously won the Cup.
(W2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (E4) Ottawa Senators
| Game-by-game | Score | Anaheim goals | Ottawa goals | Winning goalie | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 28 | at Anaheim 3, Ottawa 2 | McDonald Andy McDonald Andy McDonald is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and winger, an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... , Getzlaf Ryan Getzlaf Ryan Getzlaf is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre and the captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he played junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen... , Moen Travis Moen Travis Moen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Although he was born in Swift Current, he grew up in Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan... |
Redden Wade Redden Wade Redden is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in the New York Rangers organization for its American Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. He joined the New York Rangers in 2008 after 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators... , Fisher |
Giguere Jean-Sébastien Giguère Jean-Sébastien Giguère is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League . He played major junior with the Verdun Collège Français and Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League , where he was drafted 13th... |
| 2 | May 30 | at Anaheim 1, Ottawa 0 | Pahlsson Samuel Påhlsson Samuel Påhlsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League .-Professional:... |
Giguere | |
| 3 | June 2 | at Ottawa 5, Anaheim 3 | McDonald, Perry Corey Perry Corey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he captured a Memorial Cup with the London Knights and a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships during... , Getzlaf |
Neil Chris Neil Chris Neil is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Neil currently plays right wing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League .-Early years:Neil started out playing minor hockey in the town of Flesherton, Ontario... , Fisher, Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators... , McAmmond Dean McAmmond Dean McAmmond is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. McAmmond has played in the National Hockey League since 1991 for several teams and is currently a free agent.-Pre-NHL career:... , Volchenkov Anton Volchenkov Anton Alekseyevich Volchenkov , also known as the A-Train and the Russian Bear, is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Volchenkov grew up in Moscow and began attending the CSKA hockey school at the... |
Emery Ray Emery Ray Emery , often nicknamed Razor or Sugar Ray, is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, currently with the Chicago Blackhawks. He formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and Atlant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey... |
| 4 | June 4 | Anaheim 3, at Ottawa 2 | McDonald 2, Penner Dustin Penner Dustin Penner is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League . Penner was never drafted by a team in the NHL. He was discovered and signed as a free agent by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim after playing college hockey for the... |
Alfredsson, Heatley Dany Heatley Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002... |
Giguere |
| 5 | June 6 | at Anaheim 6, Ottawa 2 | McDonald, R. Niedermayer Rob Niedermayer Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres... , Moen 2, Beauchemin François Beauchemin François Beauchemin is a French Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently a member of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League, his second tenure with the organization.-Playing career:... , Perry |
Alfredsson 2 | Giguere |
| Ducks win series 4–1 | McDonald 5, Moen 3, Getzlaf 2, Perry 2 | Alfredsson 4, Fisher 2 | |||
Skaters
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/– | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Senators | 20 | 14 | 8 | 22 | +4 | 10 | |
| Ottawa Senators | 20 | 7 | 15 | 22 | +5 | 10 | |
| Ottawa Senators | 20 | 7 | 15 | 22 | +4 | 14 | |
| Detroit Red Wings | 18 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 0 | 6 | |
| Anaheim Ducks | 21 | 7 | 10 | 17 | +1 | 32 | |
| Detroit Red Wings | 18 | 8 | 8 | 16 | +2 | 8 | |
| Anaheim Ducks | 21 | 6 | 9 | 15 | +5 | 37 | |
| Anaheim Ducks | 21 | 5 | 10 | 15 | +1 | 10 | |
| Anaheim Ducks | 19 | 3 | 12 | 15 | +10 | 26 | |
| Buffalo Sabres | 16 | 3 | 12 | 15 | +3 | 16 |
Goaltending
These are the top five goaltenders based on either goals against averageGoals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
or save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
with at least four games played.
GP = Games Played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SA = Shots Against; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes:seconds); Sv% = Save Percentage; SO = Shutouts
| Player | Team | GP | W | L | SA | GA | GAA | TOI | Sv% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Stars | 7 | 3 | 4 | 229 | 11 | 1.30 | 509:13 | .952 | 3 | |
| Vancouver Canucks | 12 | 5 | 7 | 427 | 25 | 1.77 | 847:26 | .941 | 0 | |
| Calgary Flames | 6 | 2 | 4 | 255 | 18 | 2.81 | 383:35 | .929 | 0 | |
| New York Rangers | 10 | 6 | 4 | 291 | 22 | 2.07 | 637:25 | .924 | 1 | |
| Minnesota Wild | 5 | 1 | 4 | 145 | 11 | 2.22 | 296:39 | .924 | 0 | |
| Detroit Red Wings | 18 | 10 | 8 | 444 | 34 | 1.79 | 1,139:49 | .923 | 2 | |
| Anaheim Ducks | 18 | 13 | 4 | 451 | 35 | 1.97 | 1,067:04 | .922 | 1 |
Events and milestones
Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
defenceman Chris Chelios
Chris Chelios
Christos Kostas Tselios is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the Executive Advisor to Ken Holland, the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, a role that Steve Yzerman held before leaving to become general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.Chelios played...
made his 22nd post-season appearance, breaking the record for most post-season appearances. The New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
set a new post-season franchise record that year by defeating the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
7–0 on April 17.
See also
- 2006–07 NHL season
- List of NHL seasons
- 2007 in ice hockey2007 in ice hockey-National Hockey League:*2007 Stanley Cup: The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Ottawa Senators in five games to capture their first Stanley Cup. The Ducks became the first California based team to win the Cup, and the first Pacific Coast team since the Victoria Cougars in the 1925 Stanley Cup...