The Detroit Red Wings end come back from eight days off to visit the San Jose Sharks in Game One of their Western Conference Semifinal matchup tonight.
Detroit last played on April 20, when they finished off a first-round sweep of the Phoenix Coyotes. The Sharks completed a 4-2 series win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.
Henrik Zetterberg will return to the Red Wings' lineup, having recovered from his sprained left MCL during Detroit's time off. Johan Franzen is also expected to play after missing Game Four against Phoenix with a sore ankle. Mike Modano and Drew Miller are the probable healthy scratches up front, with Jakub Kindl remaining the odd-man-out on defense.
Much is being made of San Jose's scoring depth but Matt Saler points out that the Sharks had only 10 different goal scorers in their six first-round games, while Detroit had 13 scorers in four games.
The Sharks could be facing a goaltending controversy, as Antti Niemi was pulled twice in the first round while earning a 3.99 GAA and .863 save percentage. Detroit's Jimmy Howard had a 2.50 GAA and a .915 save percentage.
FSD and Versus have the Game One TV coverage, with the game set to start at 10:00 PM.
Now they're saying it's Modano and Draper as the healthy scratches. I'll hold off on taking anything as fact until the final lineup cards are in.
Now they're saying it's Modano and Draper as the healthy scratches. I'll hold off on taking anything as fact until the final lineup cards are in.
I hate to lose Draper's experience and face-off expertise, but I hate to lose Miller's scoring, too...between a hard place and a rock.
I think Abdelkader's improved faceoff prowess and the return of Zetterberg, who can play at center if needed, made Draper expendable. Miller will be needed for the PK.
Looks like AFN has decided to carry "Biggest Looser" instead of the hockey game. Maybe next time.
Wings with a chance to make a statement early on this PP.
Rare that Lidstrom misses a hold-in.
Well, that was a pretty pathetic PP. Bad start.
Niemi bobbling the puck a bit already?
Nick! Great shot.
Well, the game just picked up here on AFN. Just missed the Lidsy goal.
Howard really solid positionally, fighting the puck a little, coming up big though.
Awful call on the Sharks. Wings better take advantage.
Solid first period, probably about everything the Wings hoped to do.
OK. I'll take what we have for the start of this series. From tha last 10 minutes I saw, it looked like a little rust still needed to come off. The Wings should come out better in the 2d.
Wings survived that. Great shift by the Sharks.
Terrible defensive sequence but Howie bailed us out.
Ugh. Bad feeling here.
Evener. The shark was already falling...
Glad to be wrong. Solid PK again.
Worth it, Jimmy. That's a penalty you take.
Not sure how that eneded in 4-4. Stupid reaction by Howard.
Cut to Bert looked bad but he didn't seem concerned on the bench. Hope it's not much.
Was surviving that period enough for the Wings? On their heels almost the whole time but still up.
Almost made it 2-0. Good last shift. Looks like the sharks started to slow down in the last five minute. If the Wings can hold on or score in the 1st 5 minutes of the 3d, we should be OK. Howard has carried this team for the first 35 minutes.
Sharks don't look like they're pressuring as much as in the second. Tired, holding back, or the Wings just holding them off?
Pavelski sold the penalty and then got the PPG. Guess that's what the Wings have to fear.
Howard had no chance. I can't fathom how the refs made that call...
Here we go with these phantom f*cking calls...
Another solid PK. Wings owed one now?
Another solid PK. Wings owed one now?
Seriously? With these refs?
I go back and forth between a horrible feeling and confidence. Part of me thinks this'll be over in the first two minutes of OT.
I don't even know what to say at this point.
Couldn't get the clear. Jesus christ.
Have to give some credit to the other team's offense but that was another ref engineered victory.
DEJA VU LOL. Those powerplays must be nice san jose. NHL Network both picked Detroit to win and wouldnt even give a player pick for sanjose to win. Did they not see sharks dominate the wings. Wings didnt deserve to win, good road game though.
Was going to make a long comment...decided against it. Advice to Wings: Do better next time!
This isn't Calvinball, the rules don't change at random.
I have nothing to add to everyone's disappointment, I just wanted to say how awesome this reference is.
http://www.solitaryw...in/cb_rules.htm
There is humor amidst the cursing. Great reference indeed. "No one questions the masks."
Comment on this Article
You must be logged in to add your comment.