Tim Thomas stopped 19 shots for his first NHL playoff shutout to help the Bruins keep their season going with a 4-0 victory over the Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last night.

Phil Kessel scored twice and Zdeno Chara gave Boston a big emotional lift when he returned in the third period after leaving the ice in the second when he was slashed by Jussi Jokinen. Chara and Marc Savard each had a pair of assists for top-seeded Boston, which had lost three straight playoff games.

Cam Ward made 36 saves for the Hurricanes, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-2. Game 6 is at Carolina tomorrow.

Thomas had a career-high five shutouts in the regular season, when he led the NHL with a 2.10 goals-against average and became a Vezina Trophy finalist. But it had been Ward who dominated the series, allowing three goals in three games as the Hurricanes responded to a Game 1 loss with three straight victories.

Eric Staal, who had four goals in the previous three games, had three shots in Game 5 and was minus-3.

Red Wings 4, Ducks 1

In Detroit, Johan Franzen, Jiri Hudler, Darren Helm and Henrik Zetterberg scored, helping the Red Wings beat the Ducks.

The defending Stanley Cup champions’ dominating performance gave them a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series. Game 6 will be tomorrow night at Anaheim.

Ryan Whitney scored late in the second period and Jonas Hiller stopped 34 shots, giving the Ducks a chance until Helm made it 3-1 with 3:08 left. Zetterberg added an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Detroit’s Chris Osgood finished with 16 saves.

Franzen had his seventh goal of the postseason and scored for the 20th time in 25 playoff games since the start of last year’s title run. He usually blends in behind the Red Wings’ other stars, unless it’s the playoffs.