May 8, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Nick Bonino (far left) celebrates with defenseman Cam Fowler (4), left wing Matt Beleskey (39) and right wing Teemu Selanne (8) his game winning goal against the Detroit Red Wings following the overtime period period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Thank you Nick Bonino and Ben Lovejoy.  Thank you for breaking this series’ overtime curse.

The Ducks have taken a one game lead in the series and are one win away from eliminating the Detroit Red Wings from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  The game was tight through three periods and into overtime before Nick Bonino ended the game with a goal in overtime.

Game Story:

The first period showed a dominant performance by the Ducks as they outplayed and outshot the Red Wings but got bit by the penalty bug early, surrendering a powerplay goal about 5 minutes into the game, (Johan Franzen strikes again).  The Ducks would keep their foot on the gas however and with just over 2 minutes left in the period Kyle Palmieri turned and shot from high in the slot, beating Jimmy Howard and tying the game.

In the second period Mikael Samuelsson would pick up a rebound off of Jonas Hiller and put it in the back of the net, giving Detroit a 2-1 lead.  The Ducks seemed to be losing momentum the more the second period went on and things would get worse when Daniel Winnik was assessed a 5 minute boarding call for a hit on Daniel Cleary.  The Ducks pulled themselves together and killed 4 of the 5 minutes before Brendan Smith hooked Ryan Getzlaf, killing Getzlaf’s shot at a shorthanded breakaway and ending Detroit’s powerplay advantage.  It didn’t take long before the Ducks got on the powerplay and Ryan Getzlaf tied the game with a beautiful shot in the slot; Matt Beleskey screening Jimmy Howard.

The third period was a great back and forth period, momentum shifting between the two teams and both goaltenders giving great performances while making great stops.  The period ended as it began, a 2-2 tie.

Overtime didn’t last long, thank heavens.  Just under two minutes into overtime Ben Lovejoy which pitch in on the offensive end and carry the puck behind the net, making a pass through the crease intended for Teemu Selanne.  The pass would miss Teemu but it made its way to the far side of the crease where it connected with Nick Bonino who wasted no time in wristing it past Jimmy Howard.  3-2 Ducks.  Game over.

What might be most impressive about tonight’s win is that the Ducks did it without Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry or Teemu Selanne getting on the score sheet.  Even more impressive is that the Ducks managed to beat Jimmy Howard tonight.  Howard seemed unbeatable deep into the first period and perhaps singlehandedly squashed the Ducks spirits.  The Ducks outshot by a 2:1 ration in the first period, (18 shots to Detroit’s 9), and still only managed a single goal.  Detroit roared back in the second, the two teams played evenly in the third, and Anaheim took the lead when it mattered most: overtime.

If the thought was that the Red Wings win in game 4 gave Detroit momentum coming into game 5 then certainly the Ducks have regained the momentum for game 6.  More importantly the Ducks have struck fear into the heart of Detroit who are now a game away from elimination.  Detroit will be getting Justin Abdelkader back in their next game and if Jimmy Howard plays like he did tonight then it will not be an easy feat for the Ducks to win in Detroit on Friday.

So thanks Bonino, and thank you Lovejoy for the beautiful setup to the goal.  Thanks for the joyous celebrations that made all Ducks’ fans neighbors wonder what party they were missing, because they missed one hell of a party.

May 6, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) and Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) battle for the puck in the third period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks return to the Honda Center ice tonight after losing game 4 in Detroit in overtime on Monday.  Game 4 showed us what may have been the most determined Red Wings yet, as the Red Wings set out to redeem themselves after a 4-0 Ducks win in game 3.  Increasing the stakes for the Red Wings was their loss of Justin Abdelkader who was suspended  after his hit on Toni Lydman in game 3.  The Red Wings in turn came out in game 4 and found a way to  score two goals in the third and the game winner in overtime to win it, 3-2.

Not surprisingly the Ducks are looking to improve their game tonight.

The Ducks were clearly disappointed after the loss on Monday, especially considering that the Red Wings loss of Abdelkader would have seemingly swayed things in the Ducks favor.  Instead the Ducks found themselves being outplayed and outshot, two things they seek to correct tonight.  Abdelkader will not play again tonight, thus affecting the Red Wings top line.  The Ducks however are again without Toni Lydman, who continues to struggle with headaches and neck pain after the hit from Abdelkader in game 3.

Tonight’s game may very well be the most pivotal of the series, as tonight’s winner will be in the driver’s seat.

No matter what this series is going to a minimum of six games before it will find a winner, but the question is who will be in control and who will be fighting for their playoff lives?  In order to win tonight the Ducks need to take advantage of two things in particular:

1. No Justin Abdelkader
2. Home Ice

With no Justin Abdelkader in the lineup it is the responsibility of the Ducks big guns to dominate over Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.  Corey Perry has yet to score a goal in the series and has only notched a single assist.  As the highest paid player on the roster, the Ducks need Corey Perry to play up to his potential.

Home ice is going to become a bigger issue now with games dwindling in the series.  Detroit knew that without Abdelkader they were going to play a more motivated game, and clearly the idea of going into Anaheim down 3 games to 1 didn’t seem like a good one.  So Detroit played an incredibly motivated game and left the Ducks questioning what went wrong in game 4.

Now it’s the Ducks turn to come out motivated, realizing that they a loss tonight means a do-or-die game in Detroit: not a desirable situation.  If the Ducks win tonight the series is in their hands.  Even if they were to lose game 6 there would still be a guaranteed game 7 back in Anaheim, giving our Ducks the advantage.  A loss tonight however and well, things don’t look so good.

Of course what is inferred in all of this is the Ducks need to play smart in their own zone and to get on the forecheck.  The Ducks allowed themselves to get trapped last game and tonight they need to make sure Jonas Hiller isn’t overwhelmed with shots.  Hiller has played great and the Ducks need to help him out.  No better way to do so then to be on the forecheck and let Jimmy Howard feel the terror, (and hopefully that terror comes in the form of Corey Perry).

Tonight’s game can be seen on Fox Sports Prime Ticket for local viewers, and NBC Sports for Non-regional viewers starting at 7 PM, PST.  #GoDucks #Cup4Koivu