Game 6

I've been recovering from a long, long weekend and, of course, the triple-overtime loss to the Penguins in Game 5. It was an amazingly entertaining game, and like most Red Wings fans I was disappointed with the loss. But, it happens. Marc-Andre Fleury was hot, and the Wings made one serious fundamental error.
On offense, they repeatedly missed the net. This went on throughout the game. Remember Helm's breakaway early in the first period when the Wings had fallen behind, 2-0? He missed on that one.
But one player who should be spanked verbally is Mikael Samuelsson. He was set up several times for prime scoring chances, especially in the first minute of the final overtime, and on virtually every opportunity he missed the net. Missing the net is a huge fundamental mistake, because it lets opponents off the hook defensively. One of the most difficult things for a team to achieve defensively is control of rebounds and loose pucks. Shots ON THE NET force teams to run around a bit on defense.
I bet the Wings directed nearly a hundred shots toward the net, and to finish with 50-plus shots on goal over such a long period of time -- nearly three full overtimes -- is a flaw. Hit the net, boys! By the way, no one has made mention of this flaw. Of course, you would not read about it in the horse-bleep Detroit media, but neither have I read or heard about it anywhere else.
Defensively, the Wings threw the puck away on the game-tying goal with 34.4 seconds left in regulation. If Johan Franzen takes the puck to the wall moments before the scramble in front that led to the tying goal, I don't think Pittsburgh extends the game.
But, it is what it is. If anyone had told me that the Wings had a chance to close this thing in Game 6, I'd have taken it. The Penguins are a talented team, and they work extremely hard.
The Wings MUST hit the net tonight, and they must not allow the Penguins to get off to any kind of positive start. The Wings are the better team; now, can they pull it off?
I believe so. And I think tonight they clinch on enemy ice.