Stanley Cup odds have favored Detroit all season, but the defending champions find themselves in a tough spot as they head into Game 4 in Anaheim down 2-1 in their second-round series with the Ducks. The Red Wings are the sportsbook favorites, but they'll need to find a way to solve Anaheim's Jonas Hiller.
Red Wings vs Ducks odds - Thursday, May 7, 10:30 PM ET
The Red Wings had a possible game-tying goal disallowed with just over a minute left in their 2-1 loss to the Ducks, as Marian Hossa poked the puck into the net after a scrum, but the referee blew his whistle way too quickly. However, that can't be an excuse as the Red Wings dominated the Ducks for most of the game, outshooting them 46-23, including 18-3 in the final period. Henrik Zetterberg scored the Red Wings' lone goal, and they won't let the disappointment of Game 3 get to them because of their experience throughout the team.
The Ducks got another massive performance from Hiller, who stood on his head to stop 45 shots, while veterans Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne got on the scoresheet for Anaheim. However, the Ducks have to realize how lucky they were with the disallowed goal, because they took far too many penalties, including two in the last 10 minutes of the last period. They can't really expect a rookie goalie to carry them to the Cup finals. Anaheim is now a perfect 4-0 in these playoffs when they lead after the second period.
Stanley Cup odds favor Detroit at -150 to tie the series at two games apiece, and they'll keep playing the same type of game against the Ducks. Detroit has too much experience to press the panic button quite yet, and they'll come out of the gate quickly. For the Ducks, the key is to stay out of the penalty box, because the Red Wings are too talented to falter on the power play like they did in Game 3. Chris Osgood also has to raise his level of play, as he stopped 21 of 23 shots, and he's getting outplayed badly by his younger counterpart. Two of the three games in this series have gone under the posted total due to Hiller's heroics, but he has to stumble at some point.
