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Ducks seek to close out Wild in Game Five

Apr 19, 2007 - 2:42 PM Minnesota at Anaheim 10:30 pm EDT Western Conference quarterfinals Ducks lead series, 3-1

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The second-seeded Anaheim Ducks can close out the Minnesota Wild in Game Five of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Thursday.

Anaheim won the first three games of the series by one goal before the Wild averted a sweep with a 4-1 victory on Tuesday. The Ducks had won seven straight playoff games against the Wild.

Minnesota scored just four goals in the first three games of the series before matching that total in Game Four.

Marian Gaborik gave the Wild a 2-1 lead 3:23 into the final session. He took a few hacks at a rebound from the doorstep and slid the puck under the pads of Ilya Bryzgalov.

Left wing Brian Rolston and Mark Parrish added goals midway through the period. Rolston, who led the team with 31 goals during the regular season, had been held scoreless in the first three games of the series.

Niklas Backstrom made 28 saves for the Wild, who are trying to join the 1975 New York Islanders and the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs as the only teams in league history to come back from a 3-0 deficit.

"We're playing for our life now," Backstrom said. "If you're not playing all out, it's too late. We have to keep doing the same thing each game."

Anaheim's Brad May has been suspended three games for striking Minnesota defenseman Kim Johnsson in Game Four.

As the Wild avoided a four-game sweep by scoring three goals in the third period, May punched an unsuspecting Johnsson during a scrum with 1:48 to go in the session, earning himself a match penalty and game misconduct.