This is the fourth playoff matchup between Anaheim and Detroit, and the drama was short-lived in each of the three previous meetings. The Red Wings swept the Ducks in the second round of the 1997 playoffs, en route to their first of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. Detroit swept again in 1999, securing the first-round series by outscoring Anaheim 17-6.

The Ducks avenged those eight straight postseason losses to the Wings by ousting second-seeded Detroit with four consecutive one-goal victories in the first round of the 2003 playoffs. The surprising sweep was the beginning of a remarkable run by the upstart Ducks, who advanced to the Stanley Cup finals with playoff MVP Jean-Sebastien Giguere leading the way.

Unlike the previous three series, this year’s matchup in the Western Conference finals is a showdown of the top two teams in the West. And this one could go the distance.

That scenario is more likely after Anaheim pulled out a dramatic Game 2 victory in Detroit on Sunday. Detroit was looking to go up two games to none at home, but Ducks wing Travis Moen tied the score in the third period with a goal that Detroit goalie Dominik Hasek carried into the net, tucked inside his left pad, before Scott Niedermayer put a shot behind Hasek late in the first overtime for a 4-3 Anaheim win.

This series won’t be a sweep, and it’s conceivable these two clubs will play a Game 7 after the first two contests were one-goal decisions. Here’s a breakdown of the two teams.

Western Conference Finals, 2007

Category. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Detroit. . . . . . .Anaheim

Goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3rd-Period Goals. . . . . . . . . . . 2. . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Shots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Faceoffs Won. . . . . . . . . . . . .64. . . . . . . . . . . .60

Power Play (G/PP). . . . . . . . 4/11. . . . . . . . . . 0/12

GAA—Hasek vs. Giguere*. . . . 1.62 (3). . . . . . . .1.51 (2)
(NHL rank)
Save%--Hasek vs. Giguere*. . . .929 (5). . . . . . . .940 (3)
(NHL rank)

*Entire 2007 playoffs with ranks among goalies with five postseason games played

Although Anaheim has put more shots on net, the Red Wings have neutralized that advantage with their ability to score on the power play. Killing penalties effectively has been a key factor in postseason success this spring, which could work in Detroit’s favor. It’s also worth noting that the Red Wings have won the last three times they’ve appeared in the Western Conference finals.

It’s a new day and the Ducks are the new powerhouse on the block. They have won nine of 12 games so far in the postseason, and they stole home-ice advantage from the Wings by winning Game 2 in Detroit. Who steals the series may not be decided until a seventh and final game.