It has been suggested, by some very good friends of mine, hockey people I deeply respect, that tonight’s game between Dallas and Detroit in Texas is “do-or-die” for the Stars.
I respectfully disagree.
The do-or-die game came Saturday night when the Red Wings beat Dallas 2-1 in Detroit. That victory gave the Red Wings a 2-0 series lead and that should just about do it.
I mean, c’mon? If anyone thinks the Stars will win four of the next five games, they’re sadly mistaken. Dallas HAD to win on Saturday and they knew it. And to their credit, they played well, too.
However, the 2-1 score flattered the Stars. Selkirk’s speedy Darren Helm and the terrific Henrik Zetterberg scored for Detroit as the Red Wings, who played without The Mule, Johan Franzen, outplayed and even outhit the Stars who got a great goaltending effort from Marty Turco. Turco made 32 saves but fell to 0-9-2 in his last 11 at Joe Louis Arena.
Here’s the kicker, however: The Red Wings outshot the Stars 34-18 and outplayed them in every aspect of the game. In fact, not only did Detroit direct 34 shots AT Turco, they had 13 misses and Dallas had 13 blocks. That’s potentially 60 shots on goal. The puck seldom was out of the Dallas zone.
Game 3 goes tonight (7 CDT) in Dallas and it doesn’t matter if the Stars win or lose. They had to split in Detroit. They didn’t and now they’re done.
Over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins proved once again they are way too good, way too talented and, yes, way too tough for the Flyers’ goon act. Pittsburgh got a goal and an assist from Sidney Crosby, a winner from fourth-liner Maxime Talbot and another solid performance from Marc-Andre Fleury as they outshot the Flyers 38-32 and owned the all-important third period.
Philly could win a game or two back in the City of Brotherly Love, but no one should count on it. The Pens lead the series 2-0, are now 10-1 in the playoffs this year and don’t appear ready to lose anytime soon.
At least, not until they face the Red Wings.