Boston and Anaheim were facing elimination last night, but the motivation to come from behind was all that was needed as the remaining semi-final matchups are all tied at 3-3.

Boston 4 @ Carolina 2 – The three game win streak means nothing for the Carolina Hurricanes as they allowed the Bruins to claw back into the series after another failed attempt to win the series. Mark Recchi is having a career resurgence in Boston as he knocks in the first goal of the night for the Bruins. It also marks the 50th playoff goal in his career. Four minutes later, Steve Montador blasts a shot past Cam Ward to give the Bruins a two goal lead. Carolina was able to cut the lead in half when Matt Cullen flipped a backhand shot past Thomas early in the second period. However, that was not enough when Marc Savard and Chuck Kobasew added a goal of their own. Former Bruin, Sergei Samsonov scored midway through the third to cut the lead to 4-2, but that is as far as the Hurricanes would get. Tim Thomas once again had a solid night in net, making 31 of 33 saves while Cam Ward struggled at the other end of the rink. Claude Julien and the Bruins are going to do what the team has failed to do in 20 previous attempts – to win a series after being down 3-1. It all depends on the defense led by Chara, the solid goaltending by Thomas and the offensive support by Savard. The game is moving back to the Garden in Boston. Perhaps some support from the home crowd is the edge they need to blow past the Hurricanes.
Series tied at 3-3

Detroit 1 @ Anaheim 2 – All the Ducks needed were two major thrashings to generate a big wake up call. After two straight disappointing games, the Ducks stepped up their game to keep their playoff dreams alive and force a decisive Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinal series. While the Wings normally have no trouble clinching a series on the road, the Ducks definitely made it difficult for them. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry each had a goal and an assist while Scott Niedermeyer and Bobby Ryan had an assist each as the Ducks built a two goal lead until Johan Franzen scored a powerplay goal with 2:25 left in the game. Facing elimination, the Ducks returned to the form that carried the team to a league-best 10-2-1 mark in the final weeks of the season and then the upset of the first seeded San Jose Sharks. Jonas Hiller allowed 10 goals in the last two games, but he’s back to being a puck stopping machine as he made 38 saves last night. The Red Wings’ Chris Osgood also had a solid night as he stopped 26 of 28 shots. Game 7 is back in Detroit tomorrow night and the hometown crowd will give the Wings the extra boost, but it might not be enough the stop the Quack Attack. Randy Carlyle moved Bobby Ryan back to the first line and that helped the Ducks step up their game. Perhaps it’s not a bad idea to stick with the old formula to beat the Wings after all.

Series tied at 3-3

Three Stars of the Night:
1. Jonas Hiller (Anaheim)
2. Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim)
3. Mark Recchi (Boston)

Wednesday’s Schedule:
Pittsburgh at Washington – Series tied 3-3 (TV: CBC, Versus)