Conference Final Sunday

Friday night, the home team Red Wings took full advantage of being at home with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Ducks. The Red Wings will take a 1-0 series lead into tonight's Game 2, also in Detroit. No matter what the Ducks could do in Game 1, it just didn't seem to be enough to win... as they went 0-for-7 on the power play and gave up two power play goals, which was eventually the difference. In that game, Benson managed to rack up 6 points, which gave him a good jump towards the money.

Game Winning Goal Scorer
Taken once in the pool, Tomas Holmstrom was in his office when he scored the game-winning goal. It was only his third goal and only his first game-winner of the playoffs. Against a team like the Ducks, Holmstrom will be a guy who will be leaned on to provide that sort of offense that should potentially win them one or two more games. The lack of selections of Holmstrom may stem from the fact that he was in Box 1 and there was many more selections that looked more inviting than the league's best player in front of the net.

Spotlight Player



With two key assists in Game 1, Nicklas Lidstrom (pictured in the centre), has been their better player through the first few rounds of the playoffs. But like my least favourite cliche this year says, "your best players have to be your best players." Lidstrom has done the business for the Red Wings and has proved it to be true. Being responsible in his own end and moving the puck forward and/or around the offensive zone... Lidstrom and his 15 points have been just that.

The President's Trophy winner could not retain any bit of their home-ice advantage against the Senators on Saturday night, as the Senators have taken both games in Buffalo after a 4-3 double overtime loss. You could say that with the series going back to Ottawa, the Sabres are really behind the 8-ball going into Monday's match-up. The Sens have looked so good in these playoffs and you would have thought that the Sabres would have played much better... but since they haven't, they find themselves in this position heading into enemy territory.

Game Winning Goal Scorer
A rolling puck that bounced it's way in was courtesy of defenseman, Joe Corvo on Saturday night. Corvo scored five minutes into the second overtime period to give the Senators a road-team advantage. As a late box defenseman, Corvo became a pretty popular pick in the pool, being taken 15 times and is the second most popular Senator behind Dany Heatley. Corvo has managed 8 points so far in these playoffs, so he has been a pretty good pick-up as the pool is concerned.

Spotlight Player



Jason Spezza won the draw five minutes into overtime back to Joe Corvo to win it for the Senators. It was his third assist of the game and he now has 17 points in these playoffs. A great result so far for his three supporters in the pool. For the Sens to put lots of points on the board, they rely on Spezza to be his best and he has done just that. Already in the two games against the Sabres, he has already notched five points... one goal and four assists. Not too shabby, eh?


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