ANAHEIM, Calif. – The seventh-seeded Detroit Red Wings will need to either improve on the penalty kill or stay out of the box if they hope to even their Western Conference first-round series against the second-seeded Anaheim Ducks at one game apiece on Thursday.
View: Game 2 boxscore
Detroit allowed two power-play goals in Game 1 on Tuesday, including one by Teemu Selanne just 89 seconds into the third period that snapped a 1-1 tie. The Red Wings also must pull the trigger more often as they registered only 11 shots on goal over the first two periods before matching that total in the third of the 3-1 loss.
Anaheim opened the scoring midway through the first period on Nick Bonino's power-play goal, which was his first tally in five career postseason contests. Jonas Hiller made Selanne's goal stand by stopping all 11 third-period shots he faced and defenseman Francois Beauchemin sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final minute.
The Pacific Division champion Ducks are looking to even things up as they lost three of the first five playoff series between the teams.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN, RDS, FSN (Detroit), Prime Ticket (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS: Right wing Todd Bertuzzi, who has not played since Feb. 7 due to a sore back, has been medically cleared - but was kept out of the lineup in Game 1. Bertuzzi has recorded 14 goals and 42 points in 80 career postseason contests. Detroit had five players make their playoff debuts Tuesday, a fact coach Mike Babcock believes put his team at a disadvantage.
"I don't think you have to get hit by a car to understand that it hurts," Babcock said. "I think they're aware of the fact that there is going to be more intensity, but sometimes just being involved helps you out."
ABOUT THE DUCKS: Selanne may be heating up at just the right time. The 42-year-old Finn scored only one goal in eight games before tallying in the regular-season finale against the Phoenix Coyotes, then netted his 42nd career playoff goal in Game 1. Hiller, Beauchemin, Saku Koivu and defensemen Sheldon Souray and Toni Lydman were the only Ducks who did not participate in Wednesday's optional practice. Bonino admitted scoring his first playoff goal had a different feeling than netting his initial regular-season tally.
"This is kind of a whole different animal," he said. "To do it in front of a packed house like that (at the Honda Center) is something I'll always remember."
OVERTIME
1. Selanne has scored 10 of his 42 career playoff goals against Detroit.
2. The Red Wings have lost six straight series openers that have taken place on the road.
3. Ducks C Andrew Cogliano made his playoff debut in Game 1 after playing in 458 consecutive regular-season contests.