Detroit, MI (My Sportsbook) - Nicklas Lidstrom tallied twice, including the game-winner with 49.1 seconds left in regulation as Detroit clipped Anaheim, 3-2, in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals from Joe Louis Arena. Johan Franzen provided the other score for the Red Wings, who have won five consecutive games to open the playoffs and have taken six straight beyond the regular season dating back to Game 6 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. Detroit picked up the win despite the absence of defenseman and power-play specialist Brian Rafalski, who missed the game with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Chris Osgood won his fifth game of this postseason with 22 saves and registered an assist. Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne scored for the Ducks, who put up a fight but fell in the series opener after dispatching top-seed and Presidents' Trophy winner San Jose in a six-game first-round victory. Jonas Hiller suffered the loss despite stopping 34-of-37 shots. Game 2 of this best-of-seven series is slated for Sunday in Detroit.

Final Score: Boston 4, Carolina 1

Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - Marc Savard lit the lamp on two occasions, as a rested Boston team jumped all over the Carolina Hurricanes en route to a 4-1 win in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at TD Banknorth Garden. The Bruins had been waiting eight days since sweeping Montreal out of the opening round to resume their quest for the most distinguished trophy in sports. Carolina, meanwhile, was embroiled in a thrilling seven-game tussle with New Jersey in the first round. The Hurricanes rallied from a 3-2 series deficit and tallied twice in the final 80 seconds of Game 7 to stun the Devils. Michael Ryder registered a goal and an assist, and David Krejci also scored for the top-seeded Bruins, who are in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Phil Kessel collected two helpers while Tim Thomas, a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender, turned aside 26 of the 27 shots he faced. Jussi Jokinen had the lone goal for sixth-seeded Carolina, which is three years removed from the jubilation of winning the Stanley Cup. Cam Ward, who was rewarded for his heroics between the pipes in 2006 with the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, stopped 20-of-24 shots. He was sensational in the first round against New Jersey, allowing 15 goals in the seven-game conquest of the Atlantic Division champions. Game 2 of this best-of-seven set is scheduled for Sunday in Boston.