Game notes: Sharks vs. Red Wings, Game 7

May 12, 2011

SHARKS PAGESHARKS VIDEO
NHL STANDINGSNHL SCOREBOARD

By Kevin Kurz
CSNCalifornia.com

Best of seven series tied, three games to three

Storylines

The hockey world will be entirely focused on this game tonight - the only second round series which has yet to be decided. The game also has historical implications, as the Red Wings try and become just the fourth NHL team to erase an 0-3 hole in a playoff series.

Of course, the Sharks battled until the end of the regular season in case they needed home ice for just this moment. The HP Pavilion has notoriously been one of the toughest arenas to play for visiting teams, and the Sharks will need to harness that energy provided by their fans.

NEWS: Injured Clowe a game-time decision for Sharks

Before this series began, no one would have been surprised to see it go seven games. How they got here makes no difference now, as a Game 7 brings an entirely different set of emotions from the previous six. As Philadelphia Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette said after his team's come-from-behind series win over Boston last season, "Game 7's are made for men. Our guys proved to be men tonight."

Whichever team embraces that mentality will earn a trip to Vancouver this weekend.

Starting Goalies

Antti Niemi and Jimmy Howard have played every minute of the series for their teams, and thats certainly not going to change now.

The numbers are nearly identical, with Howard holding a slight edge. Niemi has a 2.42 goals-against average and .927 save percentage through the first six games, while Howard sports a 2.40 GAA and .931 SP.

Niemi has perhaps his best game in Game 6, keeping the Sharks in the game early. He turned aside 42 Red Wings shots.

Previous Games

Its fair to say that every game in this series so far could have been won by either team, as each was tightly contested and scoring chances were generally even. That is, until Game 6, in which Detroit was clearly the more dominant club.

Still, the Sharks took a 1-0 lead in the third period and had a chance to close out the series (again) before the Red Wings stormed back and claimed a 3-1 victory at Joe Louis Arena.

Whos Hot

Pavel Datsyuk has been the best player for either team, and thats not just because he has a series-leading eight points (1g, 7a). He set-up the deciding goal in Game 5 with some spectacular stickhandling (one of three assists on the night), and his slick backhanded pass through the slot to Valtterri Filppula resulted in the game-winning goal in Game 6. Henrik Zetterberg has been nearly as good as Datsyuk, and has a five-game point streak (2g, 5a) after sitting out in the first round with a knee injury.

For the Sharks, Logan Couture, Dan Boyle and Ryane Clowe all have six points in the series. Devin Setoguchis four goals are a team-high. Clowe continues to lead the team in playoff scoring with 13 points (4g, 9a), despite missing Game 6 with an undisclosed upper body injury.

Roster Watch

All eyes are on two key playersone for each squadthat are questionable for Game 7. Clowe is a game-time decision, according to Todd McLellan on Wednesday. How much Clowes absence had on the Sharks' weak effort in Game 6 is debatable, but his presence in the locker room would be as welcome to the Sharks as his skills on the ice with linemates Couture and Dany Heatley.

Detroits Johan Franzen could also make his return from a banged up ankle. Franzen also missed Game 6, and if he's out again, it means Mike Modano will likely stay in the lineup.

The much-maligned Patrick Marleau is still seeking his first point in the series for the Sharks.

Sound Off

Who will be the hero in tonight's Game 7? Leave your comments below.