Ducks vs. Red Wings game five primer

May 9, 11:28 PMDetroit Red Wings ExaminerMike Mouat

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Detroit Red Wings Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

With two days off in between games four and five of the Western Conference semifinal between the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks, there has been plenty to talk about and hence plenty to catch up on.

The biggest story from game four was Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock's line juggling and the dividends it paid. Babcock reunited Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk and in the process ignited Marian Hossa who skated along side Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula. Hossa who led the Wings with 40 goals during the regular season scored his first two goals of the series.

Zetterberg discussed playoing along side Datsyuk again with NHL.com, and stated "we've played with each other many times," Zetterberg said. "It's not tough to go right back and find each other right away. If that's going to be the case, we're looking forward to it." For the complete story click: Zetterberg, Datsyuk expected on same line in game five.

Another big story from game four was the lack of ice time Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks received. Getzlaf played an incredible 27:55 in game one and 38:59 in triple overtime in game two. His minutes slipped to 22:06 in game three and just 15:55 in game four. Ducks coach Randy Carlyle told George Sipple of the Detroit Free Pree that his star is not out of gas, but did struggle with flu-like symptons. For the complete story please click here.

While Carlyle pointed out that he was resting Getzlaf, he made the same comment to Larry Lage of the Associated Press about goaltender Jonas Hiller who was pulled after the Red Wings fifth goal in game four. "We decided to rest Jonas Hiller in that situation," Carlyle said. "Giguere has been working diligently, and we felt it would be best to give him an opportunity to sharpen and hone in playoff-type action. for more of Lage's story please click: Wings hope for riches of a different sort

In injury news, Kopecky is out indefinitely after suffering facial injuries in a fight with Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin. Kopecky may require surgery to repair the damage. Brian Rafalski and Kris Draper who have missed this entire series will again not play in game five, but may be available for game six on Tuesday. Replacing Kopecky in hte lineup will be Justin Abdelkader who was called up from Grand Rapids.

Happy Mother's Day to all hockey moms.