This series has taken to an unfortunate pattern so far. Phoenix seems to win each game before a work day, much to the delight of my colleagues here in Toronto. Sure, I can ask them if the Leafs are the first team in history whose win total happened to be the same as the number of their first draft pick, but that still doesn't help the Red Wings now, does it? I suppose Detroit will just have to start winning some hockey games then... starting tonight.
The Wings face a confident and probably fairly satisfied Coyotes team that has taken back home-ice advantage with an impressive Game Three victory. This provides Mike Babcock and his boys with a prime opportunity to pounce on the 'Yotes for the next few games. But it must start tonight.
A loss for Detroit would give them the unenviable task of winning three straight or hitting the golf course. But a win sends them to Phoenix for Game Five against a team that is probably still satisfied with splitting their road games in Detroit and confident of beating their rivals in their own barn. That also sounds like a great chance to pounce and get momentum in the series.
A big step forward to grabbing that momentum will be getting back the regular season Jimmy Howard, who had a pretty rough game in his playoff home-opener on Sunday.
Shane Doan and Vernon Fiddler are possibilities to play for the Coyotes, and will most likely be game-time decisions for Dave Tippett.
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