Sharks win 2-1 to take 2-1 series lead
Detroit finally got off to a good start, and even led 1-0 at the end of the first period. But San Jose slowly took control of the game and won on Jonathan Cheechoo’s power play goal at the 13:19 mark of the final period. With the win the Sharks took a 2 games to 1 lead in the best of seven series.
The Red Wings got off to an auspicious start considering their struggles to start the first two games of the series, along with their unsuccessful trips to San Jose during the regular season. Detroit carried play for much of the opening stanza, and drew first blood for the first time this series when Bill Guerin was sent off for hooking at the 9:58 mark of the first period. Nick Lidstrom moved down towards the goal crease and both the defenseman and Todd Bertuzzi got a couple good whacks at the puck in a goalmouth scramble.
While Detroit would not score then, the ensuing faceoff resulted in Lidstrom gaining the puck at the left point. His shot beat Evgeni Nabakov to give Detroit a 1-0 lead at the 11:13 mark of the first period. The Sharks would get a good scoring chance shortly after that power play goal with Andreas Lilja in the box but video review indicated that it could not be confirmed that the puck crossed the goal line. Shortly after that play Craig Rivet took his second penalty which ended the Sharks’ lone power play in the first period.
San Jose started to really exert themselves at the start of the second period. The ice looked tilted with how much time they spent in the offensive zone. The Wings got a good scoring chance when Valtteri Filppula went in on Nabakov on a 2-1 break but the goaltender made a glove save to keep Detroit’s lead at one. Otherwise San Jose has been the harder working team this period.
The Sharks’ hard work finally paid off when Ryane Clowe’s goal at the 12:43 mark tied the game. Detroit lost a battle behind the net and San Jose was able to center the puck and get a good scoring chance. The initial shot didn’t beat Hasek but Clowe’s rebound shot evaded Hasek and ended up in the back of the net. The Red Wings tried to respond a little under 3 minutes later and had two decent scoring chances but couldn’t regain the lead.
The Sharks picked up where they left off in the second period. They put heavy pressure on Detroit during the first 6:00 of the third period. The Red Wings struggled to get a clear and it finally caught up with them at the 11:38 mark when Kris Draper was sent to the penalty box for holding. Jonathan Cheechoo scooped up a rebound just outside of the crease and waited for Dominik Hasek to drop to try and make the save before the Sharks’ forward lifted the puck over him for the score. It would turn out the be the game-winning goal.
Kyle McClaren would take a penalty shortly after Cheechoo’s goal that would prove to be Detroit’s best chance to tie the game. The Red Wings got a couple decent shots on goal but were not able to get the equalizer. Todd Betuzzi took a tripping penalty with 2:48 that reduced Detroit’s chance to mount a comeback.
The good news is that Tomas Holmstrom flew to San Jose today and is expected to play in Game 4. He should bolster the top line with his return to the lineup. The Red Wings played better in this game but they must play like they did in the first period, when they skated hard and made better passes. In the final two periods they had trouble getting out of their end of the ice and it is tough to win when you spend that much time in your defensive zone.
NHL Playoffs Red Wings San Jose SharksNo Comments
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