NEUTRAL ZONE

A fine line

* In a game that featured only one goal, the most dominating trio for the second consecutive game of the finals was the Ducks’ checking line of Samuel Pahlsson, Rob Niedermayer and Travis Moen. Not only did they shut down Ottawa’s top scorers, but just like they did in Game 1, the Ducks’ checkers scored the game-winning goal, with Pahlsson getting it done.

MIA

* The Senators’ No. 1 line of Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley, which was split up for a few shifts in each period, will receive a lot of flak, but the Ducks’ top line of Andy McDonald, Teemu Selanne and Andrew Miller also had a quiet night. They were ineffective most of the game and McDonald took a hooking penalty late in regulation with the Ducks clinging to a 1-0 lead.

Save of the game

* In registering the first shutout of the finals, Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere had to make only 16 stops, and he was helped by a couple of blocked shots made by teammates. Winger Moen earned the biggest save when he dived in front of a hard slap shot from the blue line in the final minute of the third period.

Turning point

* Just like in Game 1, the Senators hurt themselves when they failed to capitalize on a lengthy five-on-three opportunity. With the game scoreless in the first period and the Ducks’ Shawn Thornton and Chris Pronger in the penalty box, Ottawa could not get the puck into the net despite a couple of good looks for Mike Comrie and Spezza. After the Ducks’ penalty killers ended the Senators’ two-man advantage, they faced only one other power play.

Three stars

* 1. Samuel Pahlsson, Ducks center: Pahlsson dominated on defense and then won the game with an unassisted goal in the third period.

* 2. Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Ducks goaltender: Giguere did not face too many shots, but he was solid when he did, especially in the first period when Ottawa started the game with a spark.

* 3. Ray Emery, Ottawa goaltender: After looking a little shaky in Game 1, Emery kept his team in the game for nearly three periods until Pahlsson’s game-winning goal.