Ann 22008 NHL Playoffs - Western Conference Finals: Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars Game 5 REVIEW
May 18th 2008 23:50
Marty Turco shines as Stars defeat Red Wings 2-1.
Turco had never won a game in the Joe Louis Arena before yesterday's game. In the fifth game of a series in which his team trailed 3-1, the Stars goaltender came out big, stopping the Wings' vaunted offense (with his defense's help, of course), and participating in Dallas' transition game which led to two goals.
Similarly to the series' previous four games, the team which scored first won the game. After Detroit dumped the puck in Dallas' zone, Turco intercepted the puck and made a pass to his forward while the Wings were changing their defensive pairings. The attack became a 3-on-2 as defenseman Trevor Daley trailed the play. Daley scored his first goal of the playoffs on the play and the score was 1-0 Stars halfway through the first period. The Wings replied six minutes later on the powerplay – the goal was scored by Jiri Hudler on a rebound, but the Stars seemed to want the game more.
Six minutes into the second period, the same scenario happened. The Wings cleared the puck in Dallas' zones to proceed to line changes, Turco took control of the puck and passed it to Joel Lundqvist in the neutral zone. With Chris Chelios going to the bench, the play quickly developed into a 2-on-1 and Lundqvist scored the winning goal.
The same Lundqvist was the most dangerous player in the third period, knocking repeatedly on the Wings' door. The Wings were rarely able to build their attacks with their usual passing sequences. Instead, they were forced by the Stars to use the dump-and-chance – a strategy that didn't work as Marty Turco intercepted almost every puck behind his net. The Stars offered a great performance from the goalie on out, and have forced a sixth game in the series. The Wings' destined place in the Stanley Cup Finals is not guaranteed anymore as they are going back to Dallas in a state of doubt. See, the Wings only play one way – slick passing, puckhandling and/or presence in front of the opponent's net. With Franzen out of the lineup, they lost their best scorer and a specialist in shot deflections. Furthermore, the Stars have tightened their positional play, denying the Wings the open ice they love so much. The Wings have to find a solution before the next game, otherwise they'll be in trouble.
Turco had never won a game in the Joe Louis Arena before yesterday's game. In the fifth game of a series in which his team trailed 3-1, the Stars goaltender came out big, stopping the Wings' vaunted offense (with his defense's help, of course), and participating in Dallas' transition game which led to two goals.
Similarly to the series' previous four games, the team which scored first won the game. After Detroit dumped the puck in Dallas' zone, Turco intercepted the puck and made a pass to his forward while the Wings were changing their defensive pairings. The attack became a 3-on-2 as defenseman Trevor Daley trailed the play. Daley scored his first goal of the playoffs on the play and the score was 1-0 Stars halfway through the first period. The Wings replied six minutes later on the powerplay – the goal was scored by Jiri Hudler on a rebound, but the Stars seemed to want the game more.
Six minutes into the second period, the same scenario happened. The Wings cleared the puck in Dallas' zones to proceed to line changes, Turco took control of the puck and passed it to Joel Lundqvist in the neutral zone. With Chris Chelios going to the bench, the play quickly developed into a 2-on-1 and Lundqvist scored the winning goal.
The same Lundqvist was the most dangerous player in the third period, knocking repeatedly on the Wings' door. The Wings were rarely able to build their attacks with their usual passing sequences. Instead, they were forced by the Stars to use the dump-and-chance – a strategy that didn't work as Marty Turco intercepted almost every puck behind his net. The Stars offered a great performance from the goalie on out, and have forced a sixth game in the series. The Wings' destined place in the Stanley Cup Finals is not guaranteed anymore as they are going back to Dallas in a state of doubt. See, the Wings only play one way – slick passing, puckhandling and/or presence in front of the opponent's net. With Franzen out of the lineup, they lost their best scorer and a specialist in shot deflections. Furthermore, the Stars have tightened their positional play, denying the Wings the open ice they love so much. The Wings have to find a solution before the next game, otherwise they'll be in trouble.
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