It was Thursday night with the Western Conference last night. Vancouver looked to take a stranglehold of their series against Chicago. Meanwhile, Detroit was trying to put a controversial goal behind them and even up their series with Anaheim.

Vancouver 1 @ Chicago 2 (OT) – For 57 minutes, the Vancouver Canucks had this game in their back pocket. That was until things unravelled over the course of six minutes, three minutes in the third period and three minutes in overtime. The Canucks were leading on a Darcy Hordichuk goal and Roberto Luongo’s goaltending. However, Luongo was beaten on a screened shot with three minutes to go in the third and a deflection three minutes into overtime to tie the series at two’s. Martin Havlat scored the tying goal while Andrew Ladd tipped-in a David Bolland shot to win the game for the Blackhawks. Both Luongo and Khabibulin were solid in goal making 26 and 14 saves, respectively, but it was the Bulin Wall that won this round of the goaltenders’ duel. With all the talk coming into this game being about Vancouver having the opportunity to all but seal the deal in game four, the Canucks have to be crushed to head home with the series now a best of three. Even more disheartening for Vancouver is the fact that this is the third time this series that they have blown a lead.
The series is tied at 2-2

Detroit 6 @ Anaheim 3 – After being hosed out of a chance to win game three, the Ducks had Detroit right where they wanted them. However, after getting the lead only 42 seconds in, they watched as the Wings showed why they are the defending champions. The Wings scored a pair in each period to double up on Anaheim and tie the series. Johan Franzen, Marian Hossa, and Corey Perry each had two goals on the night. The other Detroit goals were scored by Mikael Samuelsson and Henrik Zetterberg. Scott Niedermayer scored the other Anaheim marker. Jonas Hiller was pulled for Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the first time in the post-season after the fifth goal. Hiller mad 28 saves while Giguere stopped all 6 shots sent his way.
The series is tied at 2-2

Three Stars of the Night:
1. Johan Franzen (Detroit)
2. Corey Perry (Anaheim)
3. Andrew Ladd (Chicago)

Friday’s Schedule:
Washington at Pittsburgh – Washington leads the series 2-1 (TV: CBC, Versus)
Boston at Carolina – Carolina leads the series 2-1 (TV: TSN, Versus)