Ducks Win Classic Triple OT Thriller

We have our first classic of the NHL playoffs.

The Anaheim Ducks weathered wave after wave of Detroit attacks in the first two overtimes, then picked up a goal on their first counter-attack of the third overtime. After over 100 minutes of hockey, the Ducks skated away with a 4-3 win.

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Todd Marchant ripped a wrist shot past Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood at the 1:15 mark of the third overtime, giving the Ducks the win to even the series at a game apiece.

Anaheim was dominated for the three periods leading up to the third overtime, but only a Johan Franzen goal in the third period found the back of the net. Over the third period and the first two overtimes, Detroit outshot Anaheim 44-22, but Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller stopped 43 shots. He made 59 saves on the afternoon, getting his fifth win in eight starts during his first shot at the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

If the Red Wings lose this series, and it's absolutely possible given how Anaheim has played the first two games, they will lament for a long time their failure to finish in the first two overtimes. They used their speed and superb puck-possession ability to create a gaggle of awesome scoring chances. When Anaheim tried to counterattack, they were often stymied by the Wings' relentless forwards, who were always hustling on the backcheck.

In the end, Hiller was by far the superior goaltender, and the deserving winner. This loss cannot be fairly pinned on Osgood, who made some awesome saves in the first two periods, when Anaheim at times was clearly imposing their will on the smaller Red Wing team.

With the best-of-seven series even through two games, Anaheim will host Game 3 Tuesday night at Honda Center.