Wings Tie Series Again with 3-0 Victory

Sometimes the scoreline isn't a true reflection of a game and this is one of those occasions, in a tightly contested win for the Wings.

After Game 3, I did something I rarely do -- singled out poor performances. But such was the dissatisfaction I felt with the performances of Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Franzen, Lidstrom and Howard. I'm guessing I wasn't the only one that thought so as they all seemed to respond with exceptional games, helping the Jimmy Howard earn his first career playoff shutout and tying the series 2-2.

The Coyotes were, yet again, a motivated team and made it very tough for the Wings. Most of the game was a tie-game and you got the feeling that it would take a Wings PP or a Wings turnover to open up scoring as Phoenix seemed unwilling to afford a second of time nor an inch of space to any man in red on attack.

On the 'Yotes fourth and final penalty of the game, it happened -- only just -- when Henrik Zetterberg tipped blueline drive from Todd Bertuzzi. The tip was reviewed for a high-stick but all replays showed that it was close, but not conclusive enough to overrule the initial rule on the ice. The Wings headed into the final change with a 1 goal lead.

The third period was a defensive challenge having to kill off 3 powerplays, two of which overlapped for a short 5-on-3. Howard's shutout bid was assisted by some inaccurate shooting from Phoenix who took almost half the period to register their first shot on goal after sending 8 shots wide. The successsful PKing gave some momentum to Detroit, who knocked in an insurance goal from Pavel Datsyuk with just over 4 minutes to play. Zetterberg got his 2nd of the game and fifth of the series to make it 3-0.

Special teams were a big win for Detroit, going 1/4 on the PP and killing off all 6 of Phoenix's man-advantages.

Detroit will now enjoy a 2-day break before resuming the series in Phoenix on Friday night.