commentary...

Red Wings have made second round,or better,thirteen times,in last sixteen years,winning four Stanley Cups(1997.1998,2002,and 2008),and finishing second twice(1995,New Jersey,in a sweep,when they were heavily favored,but they were beaten,by Martin Brodeur,and company,and 2009,when they scored only two goals,in last two games,in the Stanley Cup Finals,and were beaten,by Pittsburgh,losing 2-1,in both games)... San Jose has made the playoffs,five of the last six years,but until last year,they had only one serious run,at the Stanley Cup,but were swept in four games,by Chicago(note:they lost in four games),so their mental psyche may be fragile... they were supposed to beat Red Wings,because pundits were saying that they were best team,in the NHL,over the last two months,which they honestly were the best team,record-wise,since New Year's Day,and handily beat a banged-up Red Wings' team,the last three times they played them,and had won the first three games,of this series,playing like the Red Wings... when scoring four goals,or more,in a playoff game,the Red Wings have won their last 58,or 59 straight games,without a loss,unbelievable,but true!!!!!!! all six wins this year,by Detroit,they have scored four goals,in five games,and six goals,in the other game,this playoff year,(all against Phoenix:4-2,first game,4-3,second game,4-2,third game,and 6-3,fourth game,in a sweep),and the two wins,so far,against San Jose,have been by the score,of 4-3(fourth game,and fifth game)... the MVP for the Red Wings throughout the game has been Jimmy Howard,period!!!!!!! without him,the Red Wings would not be in this situation,and he could have stolen game one,in San Jose,for the Red Wings,had Red Wings had any offense that night... Antti Niemi was great in opening two games,but gave up three goals,on only six shots,in game five... in game four,he gave up winning goal,after coming back from an early 3-0 deficit,the Sharks tied game at three,but losing it late,so no lead may be safe in this series... STEEL CAGE MATCH OF SERIES...