2007 Stanley Cup playoffs

The 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 11, 2007. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup. The series ended on June 6 with the Anaheim Ducks defeating the Ottawa Senators in five games to win their first ever championship.

Playoff seeds

After the 2006–07 NHL season, the standard of 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. The Buffalo Sabres were the Eastern Conference regular season champions and were also the Presidents' Trophy winners with the best record at 113 points (53 wins, 22 regulation losses, 7 overtime/shootout losses). The Detroit Red Wings earned the Western Conference regular season crown with 113 points (50 wins, 19 regulation loses, 13 overtime/shootout losses).

For the first time in NHL history, neither of the two teams that played in the previous year's Stanley Cup Finals (the Carolina Hurricanes and the Edmonton Oilers) qualified for the playoffs. For the first time since 1994, all four former WHA teams; Carolina (formerly the Hartford Whalers), Colorado (formerly the Quebec Nordiques), Edmonton, and Phoenix (formerly the Winnipeg Jets) missed the playoffs in the same year, this would not happen again until 2013. This was the only time that the Atlanta Thrashers qualified for the playoffs in their twelve years in Georgia (they became the new Winnipeg Jets in 2011).

Eastern Conference

The Stanley Cup
  1. Buffalo Sabres - Northeast Division and Eastern Conference regular season champions; Presidents' Trophy winners, 113 points (53 wins)
  2. New Jersey Devils - Atlantic Division champions, 107 points
  3. Atlanta Thrashers - Southeast Division champions, 97 points
  4. Ottawa Senators - 105 points (48 wins)
  5. Pittsburgh Penguins - 105 points (47 wins)
  6. New York Rangers - 94 points
  7. Tampa Bay Lightning - 93 points
  8. New York Islanders - 92 points

Western Conference

  1. Detroit Red Wings - Central Division and Western Conference regular season champions, 113 points (50 wins)
  2. Anaheim Ducks - Pacific Division champions, 110 points
  3. Vancouver Canucks - Northwest Division champions, 105 points
  4. Nashville Predators - 110 points
  5. San Jose Sharks - 107 points (51 wins)
  6. Dallas Stars - 107 points (50 wins)
  7. Minnesota Wild - 104 points
  8. Calgary Flames - 96 points

Playoff bracket

  Conference Quarterfinals Conference Semifinals Conference Finals Stanley Cup Finals
                                     
1  Buffalo 4     1  Buffalo 4  
8  NY Islanders 1     6  NY Rangers 2  
2  New Jersey 4 Eastern Conference
7  Tampa Bay 2  
    1  Buffalo 1  
  4  Ottawa 4  
3  Atlanta 0  
6  NY Rangers 4  
4  Ottawa 4   2  New Jersey 1
5  Pittsburgh 1     4  Ottawa 4  
  E4  Ottawa 1
(Pairings are re-seeded after the first round.)
  W2  Anaheim 4
1  Detroit 4     1  Detroit 4
8  Calgary 2     5  San Jose 2  
2  Anaheim 4
7  Minnesota 1  
  1  Detroit 2
  2  Anaheim 4  
3  Vancouver 4  
6  Dallas 3   Western Conference
4  Nashville 1   2  Anaheim 4
5  San Jose 4     3  Vancouver 1  

In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. The higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage, which gives them a maximum possible four games on their home ice, with the other team getting a maximum possible three. In the Stanley Cup Final, home ice is determined based on regular season points.

Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (8) New York Islanders

The high scoring Buffalo Sabres had completed one of their best regular seasons ever, having won the President's Trophy, awarded to the team amassing the most points in the regular season, with 113 points.

After qualifying for the Eastern Conference Finals in 1993, the Islanders had failed to win a playoff series since then. After a miserable 2005–06 season, the team hired former Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan. Under him the team posted a 92 point season in 2006–07. It was on the final day of the regular season that they clinched a playoff spot with a shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Game one went to Buffalo, but in game two the Islanders beat the Sabres 3–2. However that win was overshadowed by Buffalo winning the next three games to clinch the series and move on to round two.

Buffalo won series 4–1

(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (7) Tampa Bay Lightning

In the spring of 2003, the Devils and Lightning met in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, which the Devils won in five games in the first series between the two teams. The Devils and Lightning met again in 2007. However, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, with three games remaining in the regular season, fired head coach Claude Julien so that he could coach the team going into the playoffs.

The Devils and Lightning split the first two games in New Jersey. The Lightning were able to win game three to take a series lead, but Devils center Scott Gomez scored the overtime goal in game four to tie the series. The Devils then went on to win the next two games to take the series four games to two.

New Jersey won series 4–2

(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs. (6) New York Rangers

The Thrashers qualified for the playoffs in 2006–07, their first-ever trip to the post-season. General manager Don Waddell arranged several trade deadline deals that brought winger Keith Tkachuk and defenceman Alexei Zhitnik to Atlanta from the St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers, respectively. This new veteran leadership helped to propel the young Thrashers into the playoffs. For the Rangers, this was the second straight season in which they qualified for the playoffs after several years of not qualifying, having been swept in four games the season earlier by the Devils. Before the 2007 playoffs, the last time the playoffs were in Atlanta was in 1980, the year before the Calgary relocation. Coincidentally, they too faced the New York Rangers.

This series proved to be no contest, however, as the Rangers swept the series in four games. It was thought that the series would be more evenly matched, and aside from the Rangers' 7–0 rout in game three, the scores in the other three games were close. The first two games were decided by one goal, and game four was decided by two goals (one being an empty net goal).

New York won series 4–0

(4) Ottawa Senators vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins made the playoffs for the first time in five seasons and there was much hype surrounding youngsters Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury's first trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Meanwhile, Ottawa made the playoffs for the tenth consecutive year.

Ottawa pounced on the inexperienced Penguins early in game one, scoring two quick first period goals on the way to a 6-3 victory. Game two was a seesaw affair with the Penguins playing with more energy. Pittsburgh took the lead early in the first on a goal by Ryan Whitney. Ottawa answered in the second period, taking a 2-1 lead on goals from Jason Spezza and Alfredsson, before perennial Senators nemesis Gary Roberts tied the game on the power play. The Sens would go ahead 3-2 before Staal and Crosby scored in the third to win the second game 4-3 and tie the series.

The series shifted to Pittsburgh the next afternoon for game three, with the Penguins hoping to capitalize on their momentum and the quick turnaround. Roberts put them up 1-0 just 52 seconds into the game, but the Senators would score four unanswered goals (including two by captain Daniel Alfredsson) to go up 4-1. A late power play goal by Crosby (his third in three games) would not be enough and the Senators took a 2-1 series lead. Game four would be a much tighter affair, with the Senators winning 2-1 to earn a commanding 3-1 series lead on the strength of a dominant performance by goalie Ray Emery and a late goal from Anton Volchenkov.

The Penguins needed a win in game five to extend the series, but could not break through Emery despite four first-period power plays, including a lengthy five-on-three advantage. Dany Heatley, Vermette and Kelly would score in the second period en route to a 3-0 shutout victory and a 4-1 series win.

Ottawa won series 4–1

Western Conference Quarterfinals

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Calgary Flames

The Red Wings equalled the Buffalo Sabres for most points in the regular season with 113, but because Buffalo had more victories, Detroit missed out on winning their third consecutive President's Trophy as the NHL's best regular season team, while the Flames barely qualified for the playoffs as the eighth seed with 96 points, one point ahead of the ninth place Colorado Avalanche. The Red Wings and Flames met in the 2004 Western Conference semifinals in which the Flames won in six games, eventually losing in seven games of the Finals that year. The Red Wings were looking to silence their postseason critics and advance to the second round after having lost as the number one seed a year earlier to the eighth seed Edmonton Oilers, who also lost in game seven of the Final. The Flames had also been eliminated in the first round the previous season. The Red Wings made several moves at the trade deadline, acquiring Todd Bertuzzi and Kyle Calder while trading away Jason Williams. The Flames made several moves during the regular season as well, trading away Andrew Ference and Chuck Kobasew to the Boston Bruins for Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau, as well as re-acquiring Craig Conroy.

In game one, the Red Wings dominated the Flames 4–1, in which Red Wings centre Pavel Datsyuk scored his first playoff goal since game seven of the 2002 Western Conference Final. Datsyuk scored again just over a minute into game two, which the Red Wings won 3–1 to take a 2–0 series lead. But the Flames won both games three and four by a 3–2 score, tying the series. In game five, the Flames were assessed with several penalties for stick-related infractions during a 5–1 loss, giving Detroit a 3–2 series lead. Most notably, backup goalie Jamie McLennan slashed Red Wings forward Johan Franzen in the stomach only 18 seconds after relieving Mikka Kiprusoff. McLennan was immediately ejected from the game, causing Kiprusoff to return to the net; McLennan was later suspended five games. Flames coach Jim Playfair and the Flames organization were also fined. The Red Wings then eliminated the Flames the next night in Calgary when the game-winning double overtime goal was scored, coincidentally, by Franzen. The Red Wings moved on to the second round for the first time since 2004.

Detroit won series 4–2

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (7) Minnesota Wild

The Anaheim Ducks had won their division for the only time in franchise history with a franchise best 110 points. It was also the first time they had qualified for the playoffs in back to back years. The Minnesota Wild, only making their second playoff appearance, needed to face the team that had eliminated them in the Conference Final back in 2003.

Game one of the series began at the Honda Center. Ducks back-up goalie Ilya Bryzgalov began the series while starter Jean-Sebastien Giguere tended to his newborn son. Pavol Demitra opened the scoring for Minnesota. Teemu Selanne tied the game on a breakaway, and Dustin Penner scored the game winner late in the third. Game two was another close game, but the Ducks pulled out a 3–2 win to take a 2–0 series lead at home.

The series shifted to the Xcel Energy Centre for game three. The Ducks netted goals from Andy McDonald and Rob Niedermayer. Petteri Nummelin gave the Wild a goal in the last minute of play, but the Ducks held on for a 2–1 win. In game four, Chris Pronger opened the scoring for the Ducks. However the Wild took over the game halfway through the second period and managed a 4–1 win to keep the series going. Going back to Honda Centre for game five, Giguere returned as the Ducks won 4–1 and eliminated the Wild.

Anaheim won series 4–1

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) Dallas Stars

The Vancouver Canucks returned to the playoffs after a disappointing 2005–06 season. They had been considered underdogs from the start of the season but finished with 105 points, the highest total in franchise history. This gave them the division championship and a top seed against their first round opponent, the Stars, who had finished with two more points than the Canucks. This was the only seven-game series in this season's playoffs.

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo made his first playoff appearance in game one at General Motors Place. After Vancouver gave up the lead three times in regulation, Henrik Sedin won the game when he converted a pass from brother Daniel at the 18:06 mark of the fourth overtime. It was the longest game the Canucks ever played, and the sixth-longest playoff game in NHL history. Luongo stopped 72 of 76 shots in the 5–4 victory. The Stars opened game two with a goal just 24 seconds in, and the Canucks were not able to recover as Dallas goaltender Marty Turco shut them out 2–0. After earning a split in Vancouver, the Stars returned home to American Airlines Center for game three. Once again, the Stars came out with the opening goal scored by Stu Barnes. The Canucks tied the game on a Jan Bulis goal in the third period to send the game to overtime. The Canucks finished the Stars more quickly this time as Taylor Pyatt scored the game winner 7:47 into the first overtime for a 2–1 win.

Game four remained scoreless into the third period. In the end, the Canucks pulled out another 2–1 victory on goals from Mattias Öhlund and Trevor Linden. Back at General Motors Place for game five, both Luongo and Turco pushed aside every shot in regulation, and for the third time in the series, an overtime was needed. At 6:22 mark of the first overtime, Stars captain Brenden Morrow tipped the winner in off a Sergei Zubov shot for a 1–0 victory to send the series back to Dallas. In game six, the Stars pulled out a 2–0 win to force a seventh game in Vancouver as Turco recorded his third shutout of the series.

Back in Vancouver for game seven, the Stars dominated the first period and came out with a 1–0 lead. In the second period, Henrik Sedin put the Canucks on the board. It was the Canucks first goal in three games and their first at home since game one. From there on, the Canucks took over the game. Trevor Linden scored the game winner 7:00 into the third. Two empty net goals gave the Canucks a 4–1 win and a series win.

Vancouver won series 4–3

(4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) San Jose Sharks

The Nashville Predators made the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Their first round opponent was the San Jose Sharks who had eliminated the Predators in five games the year before. The seedings for both teams were the same as the year before, and once again Nashville received home ice advantage.

In the first game, a goal by Matt Carle put the Sharks on the board in the first period. Nashville netted goals from Alexander Radulov and Jean-Pierre Dumont early in the second, but the Sharks responded with three goals to take a 4–2 lead into the third. The Predators tied the game late in the third as Radulov and Dumont each scored a second goal. Patrick Rissmiller won the game for the Sharks 8:14 into the second overtime.

In game two, after the Sharks opened the scoring, the Predators went on a scoring spree and ended up winning the game 5–2. At San Jose's HP Pavilion for game three, the Predators were considered a big underdog. In five road playoff games in the past, they had yet to win one. The Sharks won 3–1. Game four was a "must win" for the Predators. However the Sharks once again came out with the greater energy. Even though the Predators capitalized on a late rush, the Sharks held on for 3–2 win and took a commanding 3–1 series lead back to Nashville. In game five, the Predators and Sharks exchanged two goals. Late in the third, Sharks captain Patrick Marleau scored the winner to eliminate the Predators for the second year in a row.

San Jose won series 4–1

Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) New York Rangers

The high-scoring Buffalo Sabres met the surprising New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Rangers defeated the higher seeded Atlanta Thrashers, sweeping the third seed on the heels of strong play from Michael Nylander and solid goaltending by Henrik Lundqvist. The Sabres dominated a New York Islanders team that earned a playoff berth in a shootout victory on the last day of the regular season, and defeated the eighth seed in five games. The Sabres had won all four games in the season series against the Rangers, leading many to believe this series might have a quick ending.

After a scoreless first period in game one, Thomas Vanek opened the series scoring with a goal late in the second. Ales Kotalik added another Buffalo tally two minutes later and Vanek chipped in another with 1:36 left in the second, leading to a 5-2 victory.

The Rangers opened the scoring in game two, as Martin Straka scored a powerplay goal halfway through the first. However, the Sabres answered less than a minute later on a Brian Campbell power play tally. Although New York would tegain the lead late in the second on a Paul Mara goal, Buffalo showed their scoring prowess in the third. Chris Drury tipped in a Toni Lydman pass less than a minute into the period and Vanek scored the game winner halfway through the period off a nifty no-look pass from Drew Stafford and Buffalo seemed well on their way to the Conference Finals as the series shifted to Madison Square Garden.

However, the Blueshirts won the game 2-1 on a Michal Rozsíval double overtime goal. After a game marked by great goaltending from Lundqvist and Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, Rozsival's point shot finally found the back of the net 16:43 into the second sudden death period. The game was not without controversy however, as a Karel Rachunek goal early in the second was overruled after review, with the officials in Toronto determining the puck had been kicked into the net.

More controversy arose in game four, a 2-1 Rangers victory. Danny Brière appeared to beat Lundqvist with 17 seconds left in the game, but the goal was disallowed after a lengthy review. Briere appeared to have Lundqvist beaten on the short side after a deke, but the overhead camera angle did not provide indisputable evidence that the puck had crossed the line. Another note from game four was the scratch of Sabres winger Maxim Afinogenov. Buffalo's sixth-leading scorer in the regular season had been underwhelming in the playoffs.

Game five was back to Buffalo, and the strong goaltending from the two young keepers continued. Miller turned away fourteen shots through the first two periods until an innocent looking shot by Straka sneaked over Miller's shoulder and hit the goal cam in the back of the net with just over three minutes left in regulation. Lundqvist again seemed unbeatable, having stopped the first 36 shots he faced. The Sabres pulled their goaltender for a six on five advantage with the faceoff in the Rangers' zone and less than 15 seconds remaining in the game. Buffalo co-captain Chris Drury won the draw and with 7.7 seconds left found the back of the net on a Tim Connolly rebound and through a Vanek screen. The game was not over however, and still another hero would be crowned on this Friday night in the Queen City. With Blair Betts off for hooking less than five minutes into overtime, Lindy Ruff gave Maxim Afinogenov a chance to redeem himself for his poor play. Afinogenov came through, getting off a quick slap shot from the point that beat Lundqvist five hole. Afinogenov took several strides before diving across center ice, and his jubilant teammates joined him in celebration.

Buffalo would carry this momentum back to New York, where the Rangers had yet to lose in the playoffs. While the Rangers took the lead late in the first, Buffalo exploded for four goals in the second and another in the third, including two by forward Jochen Hecht. The Rangers would not go down easily however, with Michael Nylander drawing the Blueshirts within one with less than three minutes to play. The Sabres however were able to hold on and win the game 5-4, taking the series in six games.

Game-by-game Score Buffalo goals NY Rangers goals Winning goalie
1April 25at Buffalo 5, Rangers 2 Vanek 2, Kotalik, Pominville, Stafford Hossa, Shanahan Miller
2April 27at Buffalo 3, Rangers 2 Campbell, Drury, VanekStraka, Mara Miller
3April 29at Rangers 2, Buffalo 12OT 16:43 Briere Jagr, Rozsival Lundqvist
4May 1at Rangers 2, Buffalo 1 Kotalik Jagr, Shanahan Lundqvist
5May 4at Buffalo 2, Rangers 1OT 4:39 Drury, Afinogenov Straka Miller
6May 6Buffalo 5, at Rangers 4 Kalinin, Pominville, Hecht 2, Drury Nylander 2, Mara, Jagr Miller
Sabres win series 4–2 Drury 3, Vanek 3, 3 tied with 2 Jagr 3, Shanahan 2, Straka 2, Mara 2, Nylander 2

(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (4) Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators, having eliminated the young Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round, had to face the team that had stopped them one game short of the Stanley Cup Final in 2003.

Game one of the series began at Continental Airlines Arena. The Senators came out with all the energy and capitalized on every Devils mistake to jump out to a 4–0 lead. From the second period on, the Devils stole the momentum, and the Senators needed to hold on for a 5–4 victory.

Both teams were ready for game two, but it was the Devils who held a 2–1 lead in the third period. The Senators tied the game late in the third, but Jamie Langenbrunner scored the winning goal for the Devils 1:55 into the second overtime. Game three at Scotiabank Place turned out to be a defensive battle. The game remained scoreless into the third period before Tom Preissing put the Senators on the board. An empty net goal was added for a 2–0 Senators win. The teams were evenly matched once again in game four, but the Senators won 3–2.

The Senators returned to Continental Airlines Arena for game five with a chance to finish the series. Scott Gomez scored for the Devils first, but the Senators responded with three straight goals. Gomez gave the Devils a late third period goal, but the Senators hung on to win 3–2 in the final game played at Continental Airlines Arena. The Devils would play at Newark's Prudential Center starting next season. The Senators advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in their history.

Game-by-game Score New Jersey goals Ottawa goals Winning goalie
1April 26Ottawa 5, at New Jersey 4 Zajac, Gionta, Greene, PariseSpezza, Corvo, McAmmond, Heatley, Redden Emery
2April 28at New Jersey 3, Ottawa 22OT 1:55Gionta, Brylin, LangenbrunnerAlfredsson, Heatley Brodeur
3April 30at Ottawa 2, New Jersey 0 Preissing, Spezza Emery
4May 2at Ottawa 3, New Jersey 2 Gionta, PandolfoAlfredsson, Heatley, FisherEmery
5May 5Ottawa 3, at New Jersey 2 Gomez 2Vermette, Spezza, AlfredssonEmery
Senators win series 4–1 Gionta 3, Gomez 2 Heatley 3, Spezza 3, Alfredsson 3

Western Conference Semifinals

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (5) San Jose Sharks

The Red Wings and Sharks met in the postseason for the first time since 1995, when the Red Wings swept the Sharks in four games. Evgeni Nabokov and the Sharks shut out Detroit in game one in Detroit by a score of 2-0, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Red Wings drew even with a come-from-behind victory in game two, with Pavel Datsyuk scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:24 remaining in the third period.

The series then shifted to San Jose for games three and four. The Sharks won game three with Jonathan Cheechoo scoring the game winner, taking a 2-1 series lead. After being down 2–1 with less than a minute left in game four, the Red Wings tied the game thanks to Robert Lang, and later won in overtime on a powerplay goal from Mathieu Schneider to draw the series at 2–2. Detroit then dominated the Sharks back in Detroit in game five, winning 4-1, taking a 3-2 series lead into game six back in San Jose. Two goals from Red Wings winger Mikael Samuelsson and a Dominik Hasek shutout won the series for the Red Wings, moving them to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2002.

Game-by-game Score Detroit goals San Jose goals Winning goalie
1April 26 San Jose 2, at Detroit 0 Carle, Grier Nabokov
2April 28 at Detroit 3, San Jose 2 Zetterberg, Cleary, Datsyuk Cheechoo, Thornton Hasek
3April 30 at San Jose 2, Detroit 1 Lidstrom Clowe, Cheechoo Nabokov
4May 2 Detroit 3, at San Jose 2OT 16:04 Holmstrom, Lang, Schneider Cheechoo, Goc Hasek
5May 5 at Detroit 4, San Jose 1 Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Samuelsson, Holmstrom Goc Hasek
6May 7 Detroit 2, at San Jose 0 Samuelsson 2 Hasek
Red Wings win series 4–2 Samuelsson 3, Zetterberg 2, Datsyuk 2, Holmstrom 2 Cheechoo 3, Goc 2

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks

Canucks forward Jeff Cowan opened the scoring in game one within the first eleven minutes, Anaheim responded with three goals (two by Andy McDonald and one by Teemu Selanne) in the first period, plus two additional goals for a 5–1 win. Game two was a much closer game as Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo came back with a better performance than the first game. The game proceeded into double overtime until Vancouver's Jeff Cowan managed to score from a very tight angle to tie the series 1–1 going into Vancouver.

Despite receiving nine penalties (including four straight during the first period) in game three, Anaheim managed to win the game 3–2 in regulation in Vancouver on a game winning slap shot by Corey Perry. Game four was a different story, however, as Vancouver jumped ahead in scoring 2–0 after two periods in an effort to tie the series. But during the third period, Anaheim came back with goals from Pronger and Selanne to tie the game, plus a goal by Travis Moen shortly into overtime extended the series lead to 3–1.

In game five, Luongo stopped 47 shots and helped keep the score tied 1-1 in regulation (in the end, the Ducks had 65 shots on goal). At the start of overtime, Vancouver unexpectedly switched goalies, later revealing Luongo had an untimely case of diarrhea. After Dany Sabourin successfully stopped Anaheim shots, Luongo returned to the net and kept the game tied going into double overtime. Shortly into the second overtime period, Rob Niedermayer delivered a hit on Jannik Hansen. The puck went to Scott Niedermayer, who fired a wrist shot that found the back of the net, giving the Ducks the overtime and series victory, moving them to the Western Conference Final.

Replays showed that Luongo's glove hand was up trying to signal to referees that he thought the hit was an elbow, and the puck went through where his glove should have been. When Luongo was announced as the second star of the game, many at the Honda Center cheered.

Game-by-game Score Anaheim goals Vancouver goals Winning goalie
1April 25 at Anaheim 5, Vancouver 1 McDonald 3, Selanne, Getzlaf Cowan Giguere
2April 27 Vancouver 2, at Anaheim 1 2OT 7:49 Moen Naslund, Cowan Luongo
3April 29 Anaheim 3, at Vancouver 2 Penner, Beauchemin, Perry Naslund, D. Sedin Giguere
4May 1 Anaheim 3, at Vancouver 2 OT 2:07 Pronger, Selanne, Moen Naslund, Morrison Giguere
5May 3 at Anaheim 2, Vancouver 1 2OT 4:30 Pahlsson, S. Niedermayer Burrows Giguere
Ducks win series 4–1 McDonald 3, Selanne 2, Moen 2 Naslund 3, Cowan 2

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference Final

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (4) Ottawa Senators

In the previous year, Buffalo, who was the fourth seed, surprised the first-seeded Senators in the conference semi-final, eliminating them in five games. The playoff animosity from the previous year carried on into this year. The Senators and Sabres had been at each others' throats throughout the season. On February 22, 2007, Ottawa enforcer Chris Neil delivered a controversial hit to Buffalo's Chris Drury, seriously injuring Drury and sparking an in-game brawl between the two teams, which featured a fight between Buffalo player Andrew Peters and Ottawa goalie Ray Emery plus a heated argument between coaches Bryan Murray and Lindy Ruff.

In game one at Buffalo, Ottawa opened the series with goals by Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredsson respectively to start with a 2–0 lead in the first period of game one. The Sabres answered later in the first and midway through the second period with goals by Maxim Afinogenov and Toni Lydman to tie the game 2–2. The Senators then took control of the third period and scored three more goals to win 5–2.

In game two, the Sabres scored two first-period goals, but Ottawa tied the game 2–2 in the second period. Ottawa defenceman Wade Redden gave the Senators the lead by the end of the second period with a power play goal. Buffalo did not answer until late in the third period on a power play goal by Danny Briere with only six seconds left to tie the game. Senators defenceman Joe Corvo scored just off a faceoff to give Ottawa the double overtime win and a 2–0 lead in the series. This was Ottawa's first 2-0 lead in a series in their history.

Game three, in Ottawa, was kept to no scoring until the second period when Senators' captain Daniel Alfredsson shot a puck that somehow riccocheted off Sabre goalie Ryan Miller towards Alfredsson, who had an open net. Ottawa took a 3–0 lead in the series.

In game four, Buffalo scored a goal nine seconds into the game. Buffalo went ahead 3–0 before the Senators came back with two goals. Ottawa could not score a third goal and tie the game, and the Sabres fought back into the series with a 3–2 win.

Game five in Buffalo opened with a Sabre goal, but Ottawa came back and took a 2–1 lead. Afinogenov tied the game for the Sabres midway through the third period to eventually send the game into overtime. However, Alfredsson eliminated the Sabres by skating and shooting through three Buffalo players and scoring the overtime goal to send the Senators into the Stanley Cup Final.

Game-by-game Score Buffalo goals Ottawa goals Winning goalie
1May 10Ottawa 5, at Buffalo 2 Afinogenov, LydmanFisher, Alfredsson, Saprykin, Spezza, McAmmondEmery
2May 12Ottawa 4, at Buffalo 32OT 4:58Vanek, Hecht, BriereAlfredsson, Fisher, Redden, CorvoEmery
3May 14at Ottawa 1, Buffalo 0 AlfredssonEmery
4May 16Buffalo 3, at Ottawa 2 Roy, Afinogenov, DruryMcAmmond, SchaeferMiller
5May 19Ottawa 3, at Buffalo 2OT 9:32Hecht, AfinogenovHeatley, Spezza, AlfredssonEmery
Senators win series 4–1 Afinogenov 3, Hecht 2 Alfredsson 4, Fisher 2, Spezza 2, McAmmond 2

Western Conference Final

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks

The Western Conference Final featured the number one- and two-ranked Western Conference teams, the Red Wings and Ducks respectively, competing for a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. This would be the Red Wings' first trip to the Conference Final since their last Cup win in 2002 (they failed to make it past the second round for three consecutive seasons afterwards despite having excellent regular season records), while the Ducks made it for the second time since their 2003 Stanley Cup run in which they lost to New Jersey in seven games. This marked the fourth series that the Ducks and Wings played against each other since their first meeting in 1997. All three of their previous encounters were won in 4-0 sweeps, the first two by the Wings in 1997 and 1999, and the last in 2003 by the Ducks.

Detroit opened the series at home in game one with a 2–1 victory, with both goals deflecting off Ducks defensemen. Game two was a different story as the lead shifted between the teams. With the Wings leading 3–2 in the third period, a goal was ruled when the puck somehow crossed the goal line while settling over Hasek's knee as he slid backwards into the net, thus tying the game and sending it into overtime. Scott Niedermayer sealed victory for game two as he scored in overtime to tie the series.

Game three at Honda Center featured one of the most one-sided games witnessed in the playoffs, as the Red Wings blanked the Ducks 5–0 to take a 2–1 series lead. Chris Pronger was suspended by the NHL for game four. His suspension was a result of the same hit on Tomas Holmstrom that Niedermayer was penalized for. While Pronger received no penalty for the hit during the game, Pronger was later suspended after NHL officials reviewed the replays, which showed Holmstrom being boarded from behind as a result of a Pronger elbow, drawing blood from a cut on his forehead. In game four, without Pronger, the Ducks had to step up their efforts. They dominated the first period with three goals, including a power play goal by Ric Jackman, Pronger's "stand in" for game four in his first game of the playoffs. Detroit would come back after trailing 3–1 to tie the game 3–3 in the second period, only to have the Ducks respond with a wrist shot goal from the blue line by Ryan Getzlaf and an empty net goal from Niedermayer that gave Anaheim the 5–3 win and tie the series at two games.

The tied series returned to Detroit for game five. A goal from Detroit defenceman Andreas Lilja early in the second period put Detroit up 1–0. Throughout the game, the Red Wings dominated the play. Despite their domination of play, Detroit was only able to score once because of the strong play of Ducks goaltender J. S. Giguere. The Ducks scored a power play goal by Niedermayer with just 47 seconds left in the game. Niedermayer appeared to be attempting a pass to a Ducks player in front of the net, but his pass deflected off Detroit defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom's stick and over Dominik Hasek's glove. Halfway into overtime, Andreas Lilja was making a routine breakout play behind his net when fore checking pressure by Andy McDonald caused Lilja to turn the puck over to Teemu Selanne, who lifted a backhander above a sprawled Hasek to give the Ducks a 2–1 overtime victory and a 3–2 series lead going back to Anaheim. Meanwhile for the city of Detroit, this was one of two game five losses suffered by their teams, at home, in OT and in the conference finals round, in the same postseason year (the other being the Detroit Pistons' loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five in the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals).

Game six almost seemed to be anti-climactic after game five, starting with a short-handed goal by Niedermayer. The Ducks extended the lead to three in the second period. Early in the third period, Detroit scored a goal by Henrik Zetterberg. Samuel Pahlsson again extended the Ducks lead by three goals shortly after. Two powerplay goals from Pavel Datsyuk cut the Ducks' lead to only one late in the game. Despite the late period pressure, the Ducks were able to hold on and win the game and the series to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in their history.

Game-by-game Score Detroit goals Anaheim goals Winning goalie
1May 11Anaheim 1, at Detroit 2 Zetterberg, HolmstromKunitzHasek
2May 13Anaheim 4, at Detroit 3OT 14:17Maltby, Lidstrom, DatsyukR. Niedermayer, McDonald, Moen, S. NiedermayerGiguere
3May 15Detroit 5, at Anaheim 0 Franzen, Holmstrom 2, Bertuzzi, Filppula Hasek
4May 17Detroit 3, at Anaheim 5 Cleary 2, BertuzziPerry, Jackman, Selanne, Getzlaf, R. NiedermayerGiguere
5May 20Anaheim 2, at Detroit 1OT 11:57LiljaS. Niedermayer, SelanneGiguere
6May 22Detroit 3, at Anaheim 4 Zetterberg, Datsyuk 2R. Niedermayer, Perry, Getzlaf, PahlssonGiguere
Ducks win series 4–2 Holmstrom 3, Datsyuk 3, Zetterberg 2, Bertuzzi 2, Cleary 2 R. Niedermayer 3, S. Niedermayer 2, Perry 2, Selanne 2, Getzlaf 2

Stanley Cup Finals

For the first time since 1999, neither of the two Stanley Cup finalists (the Anaheim Ducks and the Ottawa Senators) had previously won the Cup.

Game-by-game Score Anaheim goals Ottawa goals Winning goalie
1May 28at Anaheim 3, Ottawa 2 McDonald, Getzlaf, MoenRedden, FisherGiguere
2May 30at Anaheim 1, Ottawa 0 Pahlsson Giguere
3June 2at Ottawa 5, Anaheim 3 McDonald, Perry, GetzlafNeil, Fisher, Alfredsson, McAmmond, VolchenkovEmery
4June 4Anaheim 3, at Ottawa 2 McDonald 2, PennerAlfredsson, Heatley Giguere
5June 6at Anaheim 6, Ottawa 2 McDonald, R. Niedermayer, Moen 2, Beauchemin, Perry Alfredsson 2 Giguere
Ducks win series 4–1 McDonald 5, Moen 3, Getzlaf 2, Perry 2 Alfredsson 4, Fisher 2

Player statistics

Skaters

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes

Player Team GP G A Pts +/– PIM
Alfredsson, DanielDaniel Alfredsson Ottawa Senators 20 14 8 22 +4 10
Spezza, JasonJason Spezza Ottawa Senators 20 7 15 22 +5 10
Heatley, DanyDany Heatley Ottawa Senators 20 7 15 22 +4 14
Lidstrom, NicklasNicklas Lidstrom Detroit Red Wings 18 4 14 18 0 6
Getzlaf, RyanRyan Getzlaf Anaheim Ducks 21 7 10 17 +1 32
Datsyuk, PavelPavel Datsyuk Detroit Red Wings 18 8 8 16 +2 8
Perry, CoreyCorey Perry Anaheim Ducks 21 6 9 15 +5 37
Selanne, TeemuTeemu Selanne Anaheim Ducks 21 5 10 15 +1 10
Pronger, ChrisChris Pronger Anaheim Ducks 19 3 12 15 +10 26
Briere, DannyDanny Briere Buffalo Sabres 16 3 12 15 +3 16

Goaltending

These are the top five goaltenders based on either goals against average or save percentage with at least four games played.

GP = Games Played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SA = Shots Against; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes:seconds); Sv% = Save Percentage; SO = Shutouts

Player Team GP W L SA GA GAA TOI Sv% SO
Turco, MartyMarty Turco Dallas Stars 7 3 4 229 11 1.30 509:13 .952 3
Luongo, RobertoRoberto Luongo Vancouver Canucks 12 5 7 427 25 1.77 847:26 .941 0
Kiprusoff, MiikkaMiikka Kiprusoff Calgary Flames 6 2 4 255 18 2.81 383:35 .929 0
Lundqvist, HenrikHenrik Lundqvist New York Rangers 10 6 4 291 22 2.07 637:25 .924 1
Backstrom, NiklasNiklas Backstrom Minnesota Wild 5 1 4 145 11 2.22 296:39 .924 0
Hasek, DominikDominik Hasek Detroit Red Wings 18 10 8 444 34 1.79 1,139:49 .923 2
Giguere, Jean-SebastienJean-Sebastien Giguere Anaheim Ducks 18 13 4 451 35 1.97 1,067:04 .922 1

Events and milestones

Detroit Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios made his 22nd post-season appearance, breaking the record for most post-season appearances. The New York Rangers set a new post-season franchise record that year by defeating the Atlanta Thrashers 7–0 on April 17.

See also

Preceded by
2006 Stanley Cup playoffs		 Stanley Cup playoffs
2007 		Succeeded by
2008 Stanley Cup playoffs