Sources: NHL.com and TSN.ca

The Skinny

Before the puck drops in Game 1, the Wings and Sharks can compare the wounds they suffered in the first round against two of the more physical teams in the conference. Detroit took everything the Calgary Flames dished out and the Sharks made it look easier than it was in erasing the gnarly Predators in the opening round.

Detroit would rather not play the pounding, checking game they were required to play against the Flames, while San Jose is a team built for skating and punishment with their combination of speed and size. Nicklas Lidstrom and the Wings defense are going to have a hard time tracking the San Jose attack, which averages over six-feet tall up front.

The Red Wings might not have goalmouth force Tomas Holmstrom for the beginning of the series as he’s day-to-day nursing an eye injury, so the offense is going to have to come from other outlets until he’s ready to go. If scorers like Pavel Datsyuk and Robert Lang can’t get hot, it could be a short series for Detroit, a team that has made it out of the first round only twice since winning the Stanley Cup in 2002.

This is as far as the Sharks got a year ago and they seem to be on a mission to improve on last spring’s second-round elimination. Could there be a changing of the guard under way in the Western Conference power structure? Stay tuned.

Detroit Red Wings
Team Page | Roster | Stats
Regular Season Record: 50-19-13, 113 pts
Head-to-Head Record: 1-3
Last Stanley Cup Win: 2002
Last Stanley Cup Final Appearance: 2002
Last Postseason Appearance: 2006
Players with Stanley Cup Rings: Kirk Maltby (3), Kris Draper (3), Tomas Holmstrom (3), Nicklas Lidstrom (3), Chris Chelios (2), Mathieu Schneider, Chris Osgood (2), Pavel Datsyuk, Dominik Hasek.

Team Analysis: For much of the regular season, the Red Wings could be categorized as a team that was high on talent, but low on physical play and toughness. The latter certainly made its presence felt in Round 1 against the Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff stood on his head against the Red Wings, but Mike Babcock's squad was able to muster up goals by crashing the net and applying pressure in the offensive zone. A lot of the offence and physical play came from the their third and fourth lines, which includes forwards Dan Cleary, Valtteri Filppula, Johan Franzen and Kris Draper. Todd Bertuzzi, who played in the last four games of the series, is also getting back into his physical game. That leaves the best players needing to be the best players. If skilled forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk add more to the scoreboard, Detroit's offence will be very well-rounded. The blueline is as good as expected. Nicklas Lidstrom leads the team with eight points, while Chris Chelios, Mathieu Schneider, Danny Markov, Brett Lebda and Andreas Lilja have kept the shots and scoring chances low. Case in point, Dominik Hasek stopped 20 of just 21 shots in Game 6 - which went into double overtime.

Detroit Game Breakers


Pavel Datsyuk – Who says he doesn’t score in the playoffs? Datsyuk went three playoff seasons without scoring a goal, bringing into question his big-game ability. But the shifty Russian playmaker put that baggage behind him in scoring a team-high three goals in the first round against the Flames. Datsyuk plays over 20 minutes per game, and now that he’s silenced critics that were chirping since he last scored a playoff goal in 2002, Datsyuk has the confidence to lead the Detroit attack. He’ll likely draw the opponents’ top checking assignment.


Nicklas Lidstrom – It may be getting repetitive, but there are few defensemen in the world with Lidstrom’s knack for escaping from danger, keeping the opposition’s top scoring lines at bay and maintaining a sense of calmness in the defensive end. Lidstrom was Detroit’s best player in the first round, led the team in scoring with eight points in six games against the Flames. He also had a major role in shutting down Calgary’s top scorers, helping to hold Jarome Iginla to two goals and a minus-2 rating in the first round.


Johan Franzen – The truth is that if he didn’t win the first-round series with Calgary in double-overtime in Game 6, then he doesn’t make this short list. But the fact remains that in addition to scoring the biggest goal of the series -- the Yzerman-like slap from a stride inside the blue line -- Franzen has emerged as one of Detroit’s most dependable forwards. He was third on the team in scoring in the opening round on a line with Todd Bertuzzi and Robert Lang, and most important, Franzen was plus-7 so far in the playoffs, tied with Michael Nylander for tops in the league.

San Jose Sharks
Team Page | Roster | Stats
Regular Season Record: 51-26-5, 107 pts
Head-to-Head Record: 3-1
Last Stanley Cup Win: -
Last Stanley Cup Final Appearance: -
Last Postseason Appearance: 2006
Players with Stanley Cup Rings: Bill Guerin.

Team Analysis: Of the eight teams that advanced into the second round, one could argue that the Sharks had the toughest time getting through. That's not a statement about the team's abilities, but the nature of their gruelling first-round tilt against the Nashville Predators. It was tight, physical and downright dirty at times. If anything, they are a better team for it. Joe Thornton shook off his reputation as a playoff underachiever with six assists in the series and is tied with Patrick Marleau for the team's scoring lead. The front lines also got plenty of scoring helps from Milan Michalek, Ryan Clowe and Jonathan Cheechoo. Craig Rivet has been a big help on the blueline with five points in five games, while Matt Carle, Christian Ehrhoff, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Scott Hannan and Kyle McLaren limited the Predators to 25 shots or less in four games. The only drawback so far has been the power play, which has been abysmal with just two goals in 30 chances. Evgeni Nabokov was a bit shaky in goal in Games 1 and 2 against Nashville (allowing nine goals), but settled in nicely allowing two goals or less in each of his last three games.


San Jose Game Breakers


Patrick Marleau – The leading playoff scorer from last year’s squad has picked up where he left off a year ago. Marleau, a San Jose lifer, is leading the Sharks in scoring again with three goals and six points in the first round. When it comes to the San Jose attack, there’s an element of pick your poison, but even operating on a line with Jumbo Joe Thornton, Marleau seems to attract a great deal of the defense’s attention.


Joe Thornton – You know he’s going to look to pass, you know ahead of time Thornton is more of a playmaker than he is a sniper, yet all the guy manages to do – regular season or in the playoffs – is rack up assists. He dished out six in the opening round against Nashville in a physical, close-quarter, punishing series. Always a tough matchup because of his size and talent, Thornton played 22:04 per night in the first round and is on a mission to take the Sharks all the way this year after last season’s disappointing ouster.


Milan Michalek – If you’re trying to defend the Sharks’ top line, you obviously concentrate on Thornton. Then there’s former 50-goal scorer Jonathan Cheechoo to contend with. On the other side, it’s easy to forget about Michalek. Nashville lost track of the big, speedy forward in the first round and Michalek made them pay, scoring a team-high four goals (all even strength) in the opening round. He’s young, but Michalek gets plenty of ice (19:30 per) and with a plus-2 rating, he’s defensively responsible.

X Factors


Todd Bertuzzi – "Big Bert" wasn’t healthy all year with the Florida Panthers and his injury woes seeped into the playoffs, where it was apparent he was not operating at 100 percent. Still, Mike Babcock continues to give Bertuzzi ice time (he averaged 16:56 in the first round) and the big winger chipped in with a goal and three points in four games against the Flames. Opponents have yet to see Bertuzzi’s best in the playoffs, but if somehow is able to find his A-game, he can be the difference maker for the Wings.


Curtis Brown – A grizzled playoff veteran, Brown isn’t going to lead the team in scoring or be the guy to score the clutch goal with the game on the line. But the one constant he does bring to the table is his ability to hound, frustrate and shut down the opposition’s top scorers. He was greatly responsible for the blanket the Sharks threw over Predators Peter Forsberg and Paul Kariya in the opening round and will again be counted on to curb enemy scoring in the second round. He might not be a marked man in the series, but Brown can essentially cancel anyone out with his defensive play. Runner up: defenseman Craig Rivet.

SERIES SCHEDULE

GM 1: Sharks @ Red Wings
Thu. 4/26 7:30 pm, VERSUS, TSN

GM 2: Sharks @ Red Wings
Sat. 4/28 3:00 pm, NBC, TSN

GM 3: Red Wings @ Sharks
Mon. 4/30 10 pm, VERSUS, TSN

GM 4: Red Wings @ Sharks
Wed. 5/2 10 pm, VERSUS, TSN

*GM 5: Sharks @ Red Wings
Sat. 5/5 2:00 pm, NBC, TSN

*GM 6: Red Wings @ Sharks
Mon. 5/7 TBD NBC, TSN

*GM 7: Sharks @ Red Wings
Wed. 5/9 TBD VERSUS, TSN

* if necessary
- ALL TIMES EASTERN

FIVE FAST FACTS

1. Nick of time -- While they were not as dramatic as Franzen’s series-winning goal in double-overtime, Nicklas Lidstrom’s two winners in the first round (Games 1 and 2) led the Red Wings. Lidstrom now has nine career game-winning goals in the playoffs.

2. Finding the net -- Defenseman Mathieu Schneider led all playoff shooters with 34 shots on net in the first round. The next defenseman on the list is Vancouver’s Sami Salo, who was No. 12 in the league with 21 shots on goal.

3. Motown 5-0 -- The Red Wings had five players averaging over 20 minutes per game in the first round, which was also the same number of players on the roster who did not record a point in the opening round against Calgary.

4. The fab four -- San Jose remains one of the younger teams left standing with four rookies in the lineup that have made heavy contributions. Ryan Clowe, Joe Pavelski, Matt Carle and Marc-Edouard Vlasic are all averaging over 13:00 per game in the playoffs.

5. Not too Nabby -- With a 2.39 GAA in the first round against Nashville, Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov lowered his career goals-against in the playoffs to a tidy 2.18. In 40 postseason games, Nabokov is 22-16 with four shutouts.

QUOTABLE

“It’s unbelievable, what a great feeling. They were really tired and we tried to take advantage of it. I don’t think Kiprusoff saw me. Right now I can’t describe the feeling. It’s great to get this series over with. They were a little more tired than we were. We were playing in their end most of the overtime.” -- Johan Franzen after scoring the series-winning goal in double-overtime of Game 6 in Calgary

"For anybody that ever says it's tougher because you have more of a layoff, that's really not true. To get a couple of days to catch up on some rest, I would just as soon see all those (remaining) series go long. It's a marathon, not a sprint." -- San Jose forward Curtis Brown on getting some needed rest between series

CRYSTAL BALL

The Red Wings will win if... they can put the clamps on San Jose’s deep and talented group of forwards. Defensemen like Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, Brett Lebda and Mathieu Schneider are going to have their hands full with Thornton and Marleau, but if there’s a defense corps capable of shutting them down, it’s Detroit’s. In goal, Dominik Hasek is going to have to be better and more composed than he was in the first round against the Flames and the defense in front of him is going to have to pay closer attention to San Jose’s secondary scorers like Michalek and Bernier. Last but not least, Pavel Datsyuk needs to stay hot.

The Sharks will win if... their defense can rise to the challenge to stopping Detroit’s dangerous attack. If they can shut down the Red Wings’ top line with Datsyuk and can control Robert Lang’s group, then the Sharks won’t have to score many goals in the series. They are young, but the Sharks made it through a punishing first round series against Nashville without as many bumps and bruises as you’d expect. Now if they can pound the Red Wings harder than the Flames gave it to them in the opening round, the Sharks should have no trouble advancing to the conference finals.

STATISTICAL KEYS

- Detroit ranked 21st in the league on the power play, with a 17.1% success rate. San Jose ranked second at 22.4%.

- Detroit ranked 7th in the league in penalty killing, with an 84.6% success rate. San Jose ranked 14th at 83.3%.

- Kirk Maltby (125), Danny Markov (111) and Johan Franzen (110) are the Red Wings' leading hitters.

- Kyle McLaren (134), Steve Bernier (131) and Patrick Rissmiller (124) are the Sharks' leading hitters.

- Kris Draper is the Red Wings' top face-off man -- 57.3%.

- Marcel Goc is the Sharks' top face-off man -- 55.2%.

- Detroit's Robert Lang ranked third in the league with 104 giveaways.

- Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk led the league with 107 takeaways.

- San Jose's Joe Thornton ranked second in the league with 114 points.

- Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom ranked third in the league with 27:29 of ice time per game.

- Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom tied for third in the league with a plus-40.

- Detroit's Dominik Hasek ranked second in the league with a 2.05 goals against average.

- Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg tied for the league lead with 10 game-winning goals.

- Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk tied for the league lead with eight clutch goals. Datsyuk led the league with 20 clutch points and Zetterberg ranked second with 18.

- Patrick Marleau led the Sharks with seven points in four games against the Red Wings this year.

- Mathieu Schneider led the Red Wings with five points in four games against the Sharks this year.

- Johan Franzen led the Red Wings with a plus-7 in Round One.

- Scott Hannan and Christian Ehrhoff led the Sharks with a plus-3 in Round One.

- Nicklas Lidstrom led the Red Wings with 29:09 of ice time in Round One.

- Craig Rivet led the Sharks with 26:34 of ice time in Round One.

- Detroit's leaders in power play ice time (per game/regular season):
Nicklas Lidstrom 5:39
Mathieu Schneider 5:19
Tomas Holmstrom 4:07
Henrik Zetterberg 4:05
Pavel Dstsyuk 3:59
Robert Lang 3:34

- San Jose's leaders in power play ice time (per game/regular season):
Joe Thornton 5:01
Matt Carle 4:36
Jonathan Cheechoo 4:22
Patrick Marleau 4:15
Christian Ehrhoff 4:03
Bill Guerin 3:47
* Guerin's totals include games with the Blues.

- Detroit's leaders in penalty killing ice time (per game/regular season):
Chris Chelios 4:50
Nicklas Lidstrom 4:32
Kris Draper 3:34
Andreas Lilja 2:57
Danny Markov 2:55
Henrik Zetterberg 2:51

- San Jose's leaders in penalty killing ice time (per game/regular season):
Scott Hannan 3:25
Mike Grier 3:19
Marc-Edouard Vlasic 3:18
Curtis Brown 3:17
Craig Rivet 3:13
Kyle McLaren 2:50
* Rivet's totals include games with the Canadiens.

My prediction:

San Jose Sharks in 7.

IMO the most entertaining series in the second round. For the Wings to have a decent shot to win Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Lang need to be on top of their game. Nabokov is playing great, and can carry the Sharks to a win in this series. Obviously offense for San Jose won't be a problem with Marleau, Thornton, and Cheechoo. I agree that Bertuzzi is the X-factor for the series. If Bert gets in a rhythm along with the others I mentioned, I'd take Detroit in 6 or 7. If not, Sharks in 5 or 6.

I think Buffalo - Rangers is going to be an incredible series from an offensive standpoint, and I think Anaheim - Canucks has the potential to be an incredible series from a defensive/goaltending standpoint. All depends on what you're looking for.

The other two series will be over in short order, IMO (Ottawa and San Jose FTW).

My X factor for the Sharks would more likely be Pavelski/Guerin (just 'cause he wasn't mentioned)/Clowe
Perhaps even the whole 4th line! haha
Go Sharks I suppose.

That's weird...I could've sworn I posted on this thread already.

oh well, everything's progressing in the West like I thought and I had Detroit making the final four. If Big Bert stays healthy I really like the odds of my prediction holding true.

the Sharks will 'cause all sorts of trouble but I think that when the smoke clears the Wings will be on top of what should be a really exciting series.

This series has a chance to be an all time classic. Detroit's puck pocession game, when it is on, is almost unstoppable. The only thing that held the Wings back in the last few seasons is goaltending (or faith in their goalie). I think San Jose's style could wear down the Wings if they play nasty, but it isn't like Detroit is a really soft team. San Joses forwards are awesome to watch, but Detroit seems to be in a really good groove right now.

It's either going to be a complete rout by the Sharks or a long grueling series with either of them winning. Like I stated many times here already, I will be rooting hard for my boys in Red but I just do not see them keeping up with this team. I pray that I am dead wrong!

I have to agree, because i am a Sharks fan. This is going to be the best 2nd round series by far but i have a feeling its going 6 or 7. Its gonna be one of these 2 teams going to the cup finals.

Yeah San Jose, go make me that money!!!

I know Detroit has two amazing offencive D, but they really have to stop defering to the point for the entire power play.

I was just sitting on the couch screaming at the TV last night about that. They were blocking shots all day up high, bring it down low you ...gah!!! The cat and wife just stared at me.

They dominated the flow in that game but blocked shots and Nabby made it all moot. I will say they looked a lot better than I thought they would, I thought it would be the opposite. So who knows. But IMHO, when teams are blocking shots the way SJ did last night, that usually means you are done. It reminded me of the past three years vs. the Oilers, Ducks, and Flames.

I knew the sharks were gonna come out strong but all those blocked shots makes me feel a lot better about the series. The way they controlled the puck after the 2 goals was awesome, and if they win tomorrow it could be a short series that would be nice, I LIKE!

You can bet the coaching staff has been going over the video of this game in great detail.
They better be ready to make some adjustments or this could be a short series.

I've got $150 riding on it!

5 games baby, Sharks roll on.

Now you see why I wanted it at even money.

Maybe YOU should have given ME odds.

Damn.

1-1, the Sharks have dropped the only game they can in order for me to win these bets. Now I need them to sweep at home and steal another one at the Joe for me to win.

Oh well, I still have faith. San Jose should have put this game out of reach early though, and Nabby looked pretty ordinary on that last goal by Datsyuk.

Detroit is hitting their stride. The only thing holding them back in recent years was goaltenting, some size upfront and Zetterberg and Datysuk not being ready to carry the load.

Goaltending is better, although Hasek looked goofy at times.

Bertuzzi (and to lesser extent Calder) have really helped upfront. Bertuzzi is still doing some dumb Bertuzzi things (penalties, floating), but him being able to send Thornton flying has to help psychologically for the Wings. A lot fo other Wings are hitting and winning battles that I dont think they would have earlier.

Datysuk and Zetterberg have looked awesome all playoffs. I didn't know Datysuk had it in him to take over in a series like this, but he is slowly doing it.

What a game. I was pissed after the first 5 minutes but the stayed calm and slowly got the momentum back on their side like they had for about all but 24 seconds in game one. Nabby looked bad on all 3 goals IMO. He had a clear view on the first two and let a horrid rebound in the 3rd. Hasek is still a penis in my book. I hate that fuck.

I feel a little better about this series. I now have some hope after watching the 2 games.

What's wrong with a penis? Have you had a bad prison shower experience?

I really thought that this win was one that could be chalked up to a veteran team playing very smart. They weren't always the best team out there, but they made it count, and didn' panic when they were behind early. Should be a great series....

Chelios is a stud!

Stupid non-hockey liking friends. Didn't get to see any of the game, but I saw Hasek's giveaway...that was horrible. Otherwise, I'm glad that Datsyuk and Zetterburg got involved in the offense, that's the key to them winning this series...

I think Detroit will steal one at San Jose, the momentum is in their favor after coming back.

I saw the first 2 SJ goals (that give-away was ugly) and deemed it more necessary to take a nap, thinking that this game was going to be a blow out.

yeah, i wonder what the series score would be if detroit had not spotted SJ two goals in each of these games. weird stuff. thus far i think the thornton/cheechoo/michalek line is as dominant as any i've ever seen in a playoff series.

Let's not get carried away.

Powerplay looked 100% better, 1-0 Wings.

Sucks that Schneider has already hit two posts.

Goooo SJ Gooo big period right here.

This is a dumb thing to say. No offense to you personally.

gg, can't be too pissed about how the Wings played.

Stop hitting damn posts Schneider!

I still can't figure out what the deal is with San Jose's offense. I know Hasek's playing well, but they should still be skating circles around Detroit's defense and getting a lot more chances than they are.

I have the same argument with Buffalo as well.

It seems like whoever scores first tries to sit on the lead, and from every game u can tell that the other team skates that much harder. After seeing yesterday's game the momentum really shifts after the tying or go ahead goal. All and all this is a great series and a big game for the Sharks tomorrow!

That was a great game, and to quote Berry Melrose, "If San Jose played the rest of the playoffs like they did in the third period, they will be hoisting the Stanley Cup." Weeeeeeeeee!

Hasek is not playing well. He made some nice saves but he can be blamed for most of the goal in this series. Cheechoo did it right on the 2nd goal last night, watch hasek flop around like a retarded monkey and when he is done making an fool of himself shoot it past him. I swear I hate that guy and I want the Wings to lose for the simple fact of not seeing that ass make anymore money.

I don't know what it was last night but the Sharks just got it together with about 7 to go in the 2nd and never looked back. They came out looking like crap but figured it out, almost a complete mirror image of game 2. Wings came out weak and then got it together.

Sit Langer down when Homer comes into the lineup tomorrow night cause he is playing like crap. I didn't even know he was playing till I saw him shuffling around late in the game last night. If not then get Bert on his line when Homer comes back because he does seem to play better when he has Bert with him.

Life-tilting so hard right now, obv the Wings come back to tie it and go to OT and the game's not on here!

Note to self: Get Versus next year.

series tied as det. wins game 4. wow.

Excellent play by Schneider.


I'm tired.

Wow. Momentum surely in Detroit's favor as the series moves back to Hockeytown.

that was such a crazy game as much as i hate lang for not skating he comes through for us in the 3rd to tie it and schnieder lets a bomb go from the point that hit the san jose forward and went in.. ill take them anyway we can right now

LOL

I was screaming at Langer all game long. Schnieds too. My wife thinks I should do that more often.

How does SJ feel about leading 2-0 three games and only winning 1? Is this another melt-down like last year when they were leading the series 2-0 and leading game 3 2-1 late in the third only to get booted out of the playoffs by the Oilers in 6? I gotta think they are better than that but they gotta change their style I think. They are obviously bigger and stronger than the Wings but they don't show it. The Wings were pounding them every second. Sharks need to start hitting and don't stop I think.

I was so fukin happy when they said 1 min. left, then it went to total shock after they scored. I had a feeling they were going to lose just cause they arent skating at all. Every game they had the lead they tried to sit on it and that hasnt worked yet they did it again anyways. You can tell Detroit was skating a lot harder and now they have big momentum going back home, I just hope the best road team can hang on. How about Guerin taking one to the chops, that must have felt good. Hand it to Detroit they never gave up!

On TSN they pointed out Zetter and Datsyuk have more bodychecks in these playoffs than all of the regular season. Sharks need to step up their physicality.

I was at the game last night. We had pretty good seats 15 rows up behind the Sharks bench. It was really disheartening to see the Red Wings score and tie it up with 30 seconds left in regulation. To be honest though, the entire game I felt lucky that the Sharks even had a lead, they were playing very lazily, and were on their heels all game after the first period. The Red Wings were also not playing very well until the late stages of the game.

This series has been a huge dissapointment for me so far because we've really seen some very uninspired play from both teams. I just hope the Sharks can play with some fire in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the series and bring it back to home ice.

My favorite player, Patrick Marleau was also making bad decisions. He kept attempting low percentage passes or dump-ins on his breakaways, when he would have had scoring chances if he had kept it himself. I understand how team-oriented he is, but, if you're the fastest guy on the ice, and you have the stick handling to boot, USE IT!

Go Sharks!!!

yea ive come to the conclusion to if i keep bad mouthing lang he'll score for us more lol

Damn Hasek, way to let in a softie.

Finally, crashing the net works, 1-1.

Schnieder is out for the rest of the game though, that's a tough injury if he's out more than 1 game.

Wow, Datsyuk makes a good play/Nabokov makes a questionable giveaway, 2-1 Wings.

If the Wings went into frustrated goon mode everytime they were down 1 or 2 in this series they would be Florida for the last few days enjoying the off-season. SJ loses composure after being 1 down and now it's 4-1.

sdipafuqk,nnmixozxcicxzn


Stupid Sharks.

Schnieder is apparently done for the playoffs with a broken wrist... not good...