Sunday, April 18, 2010

Round 1 Game 3- Preview

Detroit has put themselves in a good position after Friday night's win. They placed themselves at home for Game 3. It will be an amazing atmosphere in the Joe today. The fans are pumped and that should help pump up the Wings even more. Good vibes about the game today!




(Best-of-seven series tied, 1-1)

COYOTES at RED WINGS

Big Story -- The series now switches to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for Games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. After losing Game 1 at Jobing.com Arena, the Red Wings responded with a 7-4 victory against Phoenix in Game 2. Henrik Zetterberg, a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner, had a hat trick for Detroit.

Team Scope:

Coyotes -- Phoenix had a chance to grab a 2-0 series lead on Friday night against the defending Western Conference champs, but came up short. Keith Yandle gave the Coyotes a 1-0 lead in the first period, but the team allowed seven goals over the final 40 minutes and was forced to settle for a split on home ice.

"That's not our game, and we know that and we have to play a simpler game," captain Shane Doan said. "We played into their hands for the most part. Halfway through the second (period), we started thinking that we could trade (goals) with them and we were doing OK. But when we make that many mistakes, they're going to beat us."

Red Wings -- Detroit needed a victory in Game 2 to have a realistic chance at winning this series, and it got it behind a phenomenal performance by Zetterberg. The Swedish star erased a 1-0 deficit with a power-play goal 6:27 into the second, then scored what proved to be the game-winner with 6:06 remaining in regulation. He later added an empty-net goal for his third goal of the game and the playoffs.

"It's only two games in and you've got to keep going and play good for a longer period of time," Zetterberg said. "Nothing is done yet. We stole one game. That's what we wanted to do."

Who's Hot -- Yandle has two goals in as many games for Phoenix, while Wojtek Wolski had a goal and an assist on Friday and has three points (2 goals, 1 assist) in this series. … Besides Zetterberg, the Red Wings have received solid performances from Valtteri Filppula, who had a pair of goals and an assist in Game 2, as well as Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, who each have a goal and an assist in the series.

Injury Report -- Kurt Sauer (neck) and Scottie Upshall are both out for the Coyotes, while Robert Lang (upper body) is inching closer toward returning. … Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby (shoulder) is likely done for the season.

Stat Pack -- The only other time Phoenix allowed seven goals this season -- a 7-2 loss to Buffalo on Jan. 18 -- it won seven of its next eight games, and allowed two or fewer goals in six of them.

Puck Drop -- "It was a step for our team tonight because it looked like we've not engaged in the playoffs. Until you do that, you'll have a hard time winning." -- Red Wings coach Mike Babcock after Friday's win

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