DETROIT – Nicklas Lidstrom usually plays a subtle style of hockey appreciated most by coaches, players and die-hard fans.
The Detroit Red Wings defenseman’s latest performance, though, was so spectacular it impressed an opponent.
“Special player,” Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said.
Lidstrom scored his second goal of the game with 49.1 seconds left and had an assist, lifting the Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the Ducks on Friday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series.
“I just get so amazed how he performs out there in a big game like this, in the last minute like that,” teammate Jonathan Ericsson said. “He’s so calm out there. I guess the experience speaks for itself. I get goose bumps.”
Lidstrom is a finalist for the Norris Trophy. If he is honored as the NHL’s best defenseman for the seventh time, he’ll tie Doug Harvey’s total and pull within one of Bobby Orr’s record collection.
Despite turning 39 earlier this week, Lidstrom simply hasn’t lost a step.
He started the winning play behind his net, skated up the ice, shot and scored off the rebound.
“It came off my pad and he was there all alone,” Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller said. “He was patient enough to wait until I moved.”
Lidstrom scored a go-ahead goal for the defending Stanley Cup champions in the second period.
He assisted on Johan Franzen’s goal that tied the game in the first following Detroit’s only deficit of the playoffs, drawing praise from his coach.
“He’s a talented player,” Detroit’s Mike Babcock said. “We’re lucky to have him.”
Chris Osgood had 22 saves to improve to 5-0 in this year’s playoffs.
Hiller stopped 34 shots for the Ducks, who got goals from Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne.
Game 2 is Sunday in Detroit.
Bruins 4, Hurricanes 1: At Boston, Marc Savard scored twice and Tim Thomas stopped 26 shots to lead Boston past Carolina in the opener of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Michael Ryder scored for the fourth game in a row, and David Krejci also scored for the top-seeded Bruins, who swept the Hurricanes during the regular season and on Friday night made it five straight.
Game 2 is Sunday in Boston.