The Anaheim Ducks will look to regain momentum in the Western Conference quarterfinals when they host the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 Wednesday.
After dominating Detroit for the better part of three games, many expected Anaheim to runaway with the series in Game 4. However, the team blew two one-goal leads and wound up losing in overtime.
"We missed a great opportunity," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said after the loss. "Even though they outshot us and they had a good territorial edge, we had some Grade A chances when you have to put the puck in the net. These are Grade A chances you have to score on, if you want to win.
"[The Wings] played very good, very hard, very desperate. I don't think quite frankly we had 20 players playing. We had some passengers," he added.
The game was decided on a tough play in which Anaheim defenseman Bryan Allen slid into goalie Jonas Hiller after a Detroit shot. With Hiller out of position, Detroit forward Damien Brunner had no difficulty scoring into the gaping net.
"It is a tough call for the goalie," Boudreau added. "He's got to anticipate who is going to win the race and evidently he didn't know. It was a 50-50 shot, so it is better to stay in the net. I mean, he made the save -- it's the other five guys on the ice that didn't pick up Brunner coming in."
"It's a great feeling when you score and the bench gets cleared and everyone jumps," Brunner said. "It's awesome when you're scoring an OT winner in the playoffs."
Prediction: Anaheim regains momentum and puts up a 3-2 victory.
Start Time: 10 PM EST
TV: NBCSN; TSN, RDS; FS-D, FS-D+, PRIME
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