NHL: Detroit 3, Anaheim 2

Nicklas Lidstrom’s second goal of the game, coming with 50 seconds left in the third period Friday, gave Detroit a 3-2 series-opening victory over Anaheim.

The underdog Ducks, coming into the Western Conference semifinals as the No. 8 seed, tied the game with 17 seconds to go in the second period. The third stanza then turned into a tense duel between goaltenders Chris Osgood of Detroit and Jonas Hiller of Anaheim.

Lidstrom finally came through on Detroit’s 36th shot of the game.

This series brings together the last two winners of the Stanley Cup, with Detroit trying to become the first back-to-back titleholder in 11 seasons.

Corey Perry gave Anaheim the lead 7:28 into the game on a slapshot, but Johan Franzen tied it on the power play five minutes later.

Lidstrom, who last year became the first European captain to lead his team to a Stanley Cup title, gave Detroit the advantage with 5:36 to go in the second with another power-play goal. Teemu Selanne made it a 2-2 game just before time ran out in the period.

Osgood made 22 saves to get the win.

Anaheim reached the second round of the playoffs by eliminating the top-seeded San Jose Sharks in six games. Detroit swept Columbus in the opening round.