Faceoff Factor

A Game Detroit Didn't Want To Play

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Jun 4, 03:59 PM | Hype this story!

Just over a week ago, the Detroit Red Wings were flying high with a two-game shutout streak and a 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Everything was perfect in Hockeytown, USA, as their team was just two games away from winning the Stanley Cup against a relatively lifeless Pittsburgh Penguins club.

The tides turned a bit when the Penguins won Game Three in Pittsburgh, but that was short-lived, with the Red Wings claiming the advantage in a low-scoring Game Four.

As the teams headed back to Detroit for Game Five, the Red Wings and their fans were ready to celebrate. A parade route was mapped out. Champagne and party supplies were on hand. And the Stanley Cup was in town, but not yet in the arena.

But, when the Penguins took an early 2-0 lead, the mood became somber, though not for long, as the Red Wings came back and scored three unanswered goals…or so they thought.

With their hearts on their sleeves, the Penguins stole the Cup from the hands of the Red Wings with a late third period goal to force overtime.

The party had started. The Cup was present. But the game had just begun.

The Penguins went on to win in triple overtime, forcing Game Six tonight in Pittsburgh.

For the Red Wings, this is a game they didn’t want to play.

They were the regular season’s most dominant team and they had steamrolled through the Penguins in three of the first four games, with a fourth win just seconds away.

Mentally, their season was done. They were in party mode.

But the Penguins knew that, after a rough start to the series, they would have to force Games Six and Seven.

As we enter tonight’s game, it’s clear the unexpected is to be expected. After all, very little has been predictable from Game One.

Even so, it’s difficult to imagine how the Red Wings, a team that had the grand prize ripped from their grasp less than two days ago, will be able to match the intensity of the Penguins, who just won’t quit.