Wings fighting hurt, pull one out
Posted 10:57 AM ET | Comments 0
But can they keep it up? Much depends on the availability of Tomas Holmstrom and Brett Lebda. Lebda's replacement, Kyle Quincey is a minus 1 for the series thus far, and steady, reliable defense is required against the Sharks. Unless Lebda returns soon or Quincey steps his game up, the Red Wings have a vulnerability that the Sharks can exploit.
Holmstrom, on the other hand, provides a combination of presence in front of the net and an ability to dig pucks out along the boards that no other player has managed to match thus far. Bertuzzi can front with the best of them, but hasn't shown it that much in the first two games. Holmstrom's well-known ability to screen a netminder and take abuse in the crease is vital to Detroit getting their power play running again.
Perhaps the Red Wings can continue to "gut out" come-from-behind wins like game 2, but it will make for a long, agonizing playoff series that might just wear them out before they finish, and certainly before they can get to face the winner of the Ducks-Canucks tilt. If their best players continue to be their best players, players like Dan Cleary, Valterri Filppula, and Jiri Hudler continue to contribute, and Lebda and Holmstrom can return sooner rather than later, they've got a better than even chance of moving on to the Conference Finals.
Holmstrom, on the other hand, provides a combination of presence in front of the net and an ability to dig pucks out along the boards that no other player has managed to match thus far. Bertuzzi can front with the best of them, but hasn't shown it that much in the first two games. Holmstrom's well-known ability to screen a netminder and take abuse in the crease is vital to Detroit getting their power play running again.
Perhaps the Red Wings can continue to "gut out" come-from-behind wins like game 2, but it will make for a long, agonizing playoff series that might just wear them out before they finish, and certainly before they can get to face the winner of the Ducks-Canucks tilt. If their best players continue to be their best players, players like Dan Cleary, Valterri Filppula, and Jiri Hudler continue to contribute, and Lebda and Holmstrom can return sooner rather than later, they've got a better than even chance of moving on to the Conference Finals.