Chase for the Cup: 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Roundup

If you were hoping for everything to be settled for the conference finals last night, Detroit spoiled your plans, yet again in the most dramatic way possible.

The Night that Was:

The Red Wings certainly came out like it was a must-win game at home. They were firing chances with consistency and difficulty at Antti Niemi that were turned aside for the first two periods, but they were also missing prime opportunities to give themselves a lead, hitting posts and missing empty nets. Then, in what many thought was a back-breaking moment for the Wings, Logan Couture scored four minutes in to the third to make it 1-0 Sharks. Despite the slowed momentum however, the Wings picked themselves back up and kept charging. Henrik Zetterberg would tie the game midway through the period, and just two minutes later, another beautiful setup from Pavel Datsyuk sent Valtteri Filppula in for the winning goal. The Sharks would get a power play with seven minutes to go on what some considered a wishy-washy holding call, but they couldn’t capitalize. Darren Helm added the insurance as the Wings pulled off the 3-1 win, and force a Game Seven Thursday. If you want to know just how busy Antti Niemi was, he made 18 saves in the first period alone, and another 14  (second period) and 11 (third period) for a game total of 42 stops.

The Injury Bug:

-Both Johan Franzen (Detroit) and Ryan Clowe (San Jose) are listed as questionable for Game Seven. Niether playerd in Game Six.

What’s on Tonight?

You could probably watch a repeat of the City of Glendale deciding the Phoenix Coyote’s fate. It was such quality television I’m sure it’s the most requested thing on demand, and if not it’s probably one of the most PVR’d things ever. Ask your neighbour. Again, Game Seven goes Thursday in San Jose at 8:30pm Eastern.

News and Rumours Around the League:

-The Phoenix Coyotes will not be moving. At least this season. The decision was made last night by the City of Glendale to pay $25-million for another season of Phoenix Coyotes’ hockey. Like the last time this happened, there is now a one-year window in which someone can purchase the team, before this comes to a vote once again.

-Mike Richards (wrist), Andrej Meszaros  (wrist), Blair Betts (hand), Michael Leighton (Hip), and Kris Versteeg (stomach/abdomen) will all be having surgery. The Flyers could potentially add Chris Pronger (back), Scott Hartnell (hip), and Jeff Carter (hip) to that list.

-After becoming estranged, Ray Shero is making an attempt to re-establish contact with Jaromir Jagr, especially with a celebration of the 1991 Stanley Cup championship.

-The Canadiens may be ready to add another blueliner to their roster in the form of 2004 draft selection Alexei Yemelin. Yemelin is considered NHL ready and mutre at the age of 25. He has been playing in the KHL for the past four seasons, but cannot sign until after the World Championships.

Your Playoff Performer of the Night:

While you can’t overlook the contributions of Pavel Datsyuk once again, Valtteri Filppula made is mark on this game. He scored his first goal since the first round (which turned out to be the game winner) and assisted on the one that tied the game.

You can follow Bryan on Twitter at BryanThiel_88.