NHL roundup \ Thursday’s games

Red Wings 4, Ducks 3

DETROIT — Dan Cleary’s tiebreaking goal with 3 minutes left lifted the Red Wings and sent the defending Stanley Cup champions to the Western Conference finals for the third straight year. Anaheim’s Jonas Hiller made 36 saves, and Chris Osgood stopped 24 shots for the defending champions, who couldn’t protect an early two-goal lead. Jiri Hudler, Darren Helm and Mikael Samuelsson scored for the Red Wings, who will next face the Chicago Blackhawks in a matchup of Original Six teams. Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry cut into deficits and Bobby Ryan made it 3-all at 7:37 of the third. The previous two Cup champions met in the playoffs for the third time since the NHL expanded in 1967, and all three have gone the distance. The Edmonton Oilers needed overtime to get past Calgary in 1991, and Montreal beat Boston by two goals in 1971. Unlike those winners, Detroit was at home against Anaheim, which knocked off the top-seeded Sharks in the first round.

Hurricanes 3, Bruins 2, OT

BOSTON — Scott Walker scored his first NHL playoff goal 18:46 into overtime to send the Hurricanes into the Eastern Conference finals. Byron Bitz gave Boston a 1-0 lead at 7:42 of the first period, and Carolina captain Rod Brind’Amour tied it six minutes later. Sergei Samsonov put the Hurricanes ahead 2-1 at 7:45 of the second period, but Milan Lucic tied it for the Bruins at 6:19 of the third. Carolina will face the Pittsburgh Penguins, who beat the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of that series on Wednesday, in the East finals.

Associated Press