Day 13 Round 2 NHL Playoffs 2009

Two game sevens forced Tuesday night.

Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes: Boston wins 4-2 (Series tied 3-3)

Boston came into Carolina with one thing in mind: force a game seven to take advantage of home ice. Despite being heavily outshot once again, Boston made their shots count and Cam Ward look bad, as they scored 4 goals on 19 shots, while Tim Thomas made 31 saves. For the first time in the series, Boston actually began to show their depth offensively, although Zdeno Chara once again failed to register a point in a game. Boston played the season for home ice and one would think they have the momentum, but Carolina was in this situation two weeks ago as well.

Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim wins 2-1 (Series tied 3-3)

As Anaheim has often done during these playoffs, Jonas Hiller stole a game for the underdogs. The Getzlaf line scored 2 goals, including one on the power play, and despite being outshot 18-6 in the third period, the Ducks held on to win 2-1. It was the low scoring, defensive-minded game that Anaheim loved to play in, despite almost 40 shots allowed to the Red Wings. It was a disciplined game until the 60 minute mark, where a brawl broke out between the two clubs, with 46 penalty minutes handed out at the end of the game, including 17 to Corey Perry. It is unlikely that the NHL will suspend anyone out of the incident, given the magnitude of game 7, but a one game suspension could be huge considering it was Anaheim's first line that was on the ice at the end of the game.

Two game sevens for the top seeded teams in both conferences, and there is no sure favorite in either of them. Boston is the top remaining overall team in the NHL playoffs, but they're probably more nervous than Detroit because of their youth and the fact that Carolina ousted New Jersey in game 7 in New Jersey. But Detroit knows that they have to worry, since this is a Ducks team with most of their core championship roster in tact and the fact that they eliminated San Jose in similar fashion: allowing lots of shots on goal but playing a grinding, defensive battle that eventually wears you down in the course of a game, let alone a series.