Through 2 periods the Coyote's were owned by the Redwings before the Redwings were Doane'd in the 3rd. Fortunately they had built up a big enough lead and held on to take a 2-0 lead going into Phoenix.
A blistering 1st period from the Redwings as they came out and were absolutely all over the Coyote's like a rash. In a bright opening 10 minutes the Redwings had failed to score on the only powerplay around the 5 minute mark but that was soon to change as indiscipline from the Coyote's allowed Detroit to gain momentum and more importantly - score some goals.
A powerplay opener from Datsyuk as he took the puck from Lidstrom and toe dragged the puck to give himself a split second to beat the defender blocking and fire a wrist shot past Bryzgalov at 10.42.
Rafalski then got the games 2nd powerplay goal at 15.50, Datysuk passing the puck back to him on the blue line and with plenty of time to line up and fire he took full advantage to shoot Detroit into a 2-0 lead.
An even handed goal from Helm at 19.01 provided one of the talking points of the playoffs so far and a highlight reel move that will be shown for the entire playoffs. However, it wan't Helm putting the puck in the net more the shot from Datsyuk that lead to Bryzgalov's rebound landing in his path. Datsyuk chipped the puck around Yandle, skated in on the rush, pulled his stick between his legs and fired a shot which Bryzgalov did well to get a pad on but the puck went perfectly into the path of Helm who lifted it into the net.
Doan had laid a big hit on Franzen inbetween all that, causing a cut to the head that needed 21 stiches keeping Franzen out until halfway through the 2nd. When he did return Babcock queried where Franzen's face protection was - the player waving his hand and shaking his head signalling "boss, i'll be fine".
A goal after 1.11 of the 2nd saw Detroit take what could have been seen as an unassailable 4-0 lead.
It was Filppula hitting the shot from the edge of the circles and Holmstrom applying the cutest of redirections to put the puck high into the net.
The Redwings then seemed to implode slightly, taking 7 unnessecary penalties to the end of the game and allowing the Coyote's 3 powerplay goals to get right back into the game.
1st it was Vrbata with his 2nd of the series, the puck coming loose out of a scramble infront to the wing for him to fire past a diving defender and the sprawling Howard at
Then it was the Shane Doan show. At 5.49 in the 3rd Yandle's shot from the point rebounded infront and Doan stuck it home. He then got his 2nd goal at 8.37 on a 5 on 3 powerplay. Vrbata, Yandle and Doan passed the puck quickly in a triangle and Doan was free in the circle for the blast past Howard.
Detroit's defence held strong for the final 10 minutes without giving away any more penalties but what had looked like a comfortable win after some dazzling attacking play was nearly ruined by a brilliant Coyote's powerplay.
Man of the match as Pavel Datsyuk who picked up 1+3. He was just outstanding and had other scoring opportunites to add to his points tally. At one point Bryzgalov stopped him on a 1 on 1 which would have sent it to 5-0 before the Phoenix comeback.
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