I'm not going to lie, there's a part of me that kind of hopes that - if the Red Wings are going to lose this series - they just drop Game Four tonight and get it over with.
I still firmly believe Detroit *can* win this series. When they've been on, they've had no problem competing with the Sharks. They played well enough to win Game Three. Yes, they slowed down in the third but I think that was the first time all series that San Jose got outplayed.
The problem is the Wings haven't been on enough. Even if they flip the switch, the Sharks will attempt to counter. So I think this Detroit team can win the series but, rationally, I don't expect it to happen. And if it's not going to happen, I don't want to be jerked around anymore.
I'll admit that I've got a little bit of morbid curiosity about what would happen if the Wings lost a series at home. Aside from 2009, when Pittsburgh won the Cup at Joe Louis Arena, the Red Wings haven't finished off a losing series in Detroit since 1999. Since then, the trend of teams saluting their fans at season's end has sprung up. I've never seen the Red Wings do it and I wonder if they would given a prime opportunity.
As far as the actual game goes... No lineup changes for Detroit. I don't know how I feel about not putting Mike Modano in, seems like his scoring potential would be nice right now. That said, the Game Three lineup was pretty solid so maybe there isn't a need to shake it up.
Game time is 7:00 on Versus.
Along with most of my (small) family, I'm going to the game. I expect to see both teams play their best, so it should be a good one.
Bert with the spinorama to get in, then the fluttering backhander. Wow. Wings have life early.
Great shot by Nick. Important early goals coming here.
God. Damn. Nick is amazing. Out of mid-air.
Howard should've stopped that.
Helm with a horrible turnover, and I'm not even sure how that got through. Awful all around.
Hate that last SJ goal but otherwise a fantastic period by the Wings. They need 11 more of those, unfortunately, but that was what I was talking about when I said I thought they could come back.
Is it me or have I seen more than a few interference penalties go uncalled against the srards?
We needed a goal on that PP and now we're paying for it.
Well, Wings already getting sloppy on defense. Not even waiting until the third this time.
Two lazy PPs in a row? Come on people.
Survived that period a bit. Wings need the next goal.
Survived that period a bit. Wings need the next goal.
Just like games 1 & 3?
Groundhog Day...
Well that's it folks...
Been a pretty pathetic series.
Maybe next year.
And there we go. Defense with their heads up their asses again. Well, the first period was nice.
Wings are starting to wake up I'm back to where I was at the start of this game. If they can't put in a 60-minute effort, they're not going to win this series. Why drag it out at this point?
Abby again...
Holy cow!
Helm! Jesus, what a push by the Wings for the last couple shifts. Where the hell has this been?
Screen by Abs, redeeming himself a bit.
And the shards end it on a cheap note....
I'll be goddammed. Not sure the Wings deserved this one but when they tried, they were fantastic.
The game did not disappoint....It always seems to me that the Wings try to "sit" on a lead, and I wonder where that comes from? Is that just hockey instinct or is that coaching or what? And San Jose continues to be allowed to score with the same plays...the defenseman coming in the back door and those in close wrap around scrums...fool me once, etc...and it would be nice to convert on power plays. The crowd was loud and raucous and "in it" for the most part, and for once you didn't see the herd leaving early. The Wings seem to have improved with each game, and since this was not a "perfect" game for them, maybe that means they haven't reached their peak yet...hope so.
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