Two more conference semi-final series got underway last night. Anaheim and Detroit renewed pleasantries at the Joe while Carolina shipped up the coast to Boston.

Anaheim 2 @ Detroit 3 – Heroes are born in the playoffs but sometimes it’s an established man to guide the way. Nicklas Lidstrom scored the Wings’ second and third goals to be the difference maker in a close game against Anaheim. Lidstrom’s second goal came off the rush with only 43 seconds left in the game. This was a back-and-forth with Anaheim taking an early first period lead before the Wings tied and eventually took a lead of their own. The Ducks were able to tie the game with 17 seconds to go on a Teemu Selanne one-timer which seemed to tilt things the Ducks’ way. The Wings persevered and through sheer persistence were able to create Lidstrom’s late goal. Late in the second and early in the third, Detroit played more physical and less skilled. They got involved in those post-whistle scrums and looked like Anaheim had gotten under their skin. By the end of the game, it the shoe was on the other foot with Anaheim looking like they were frustrated with everything, especially the Wings.
Detroit leads the series 1-0

Carolina 1 @ Boston 4 – No late game heroics tonight from the “Cardiac Canes.” The Bruins got off to a quick start and never looked back. The B’s scored a minute-and-a-half into the game only to see the lead vanish when Jussi Jokinen made another big play late in the first to tie the game. From there, it was the Marc Savard show. Savard was a force at both ends of the ice and notched two goals to lead Boston to victory. David Krejci and Michael Ryder also scored goals while Phil Kessel had a pair of assists. Tim Thomas had a good night as well stopping 26 of 27 shots. Despite the nine day break between games, the Bruins looked sharp. If the Canes don’t pick it up soon, they will face as quick an exit as the Habs.
Boston leads the series 1-0

Three Stars of the Night:
1. Nick Lidstrom (Detroit)
2. Marc Savard (Boston)
3. Jonas Hiller (Anaheim)

Saturday’s Schedule:
Pittsburgh @ Washington – Game 1 (TV: CBC, NBC/Versus)
Chicago @ Vancouver – Vancouver leads the series 1-0 (TV: CBC, Versus)