The Wings have not lost a home game in well over a month in the playoffs. Are they prepared with fresh legs?  The Pittsburgh Penguins have shown the speed and the strength remains with their center men.  The guy that can help put the Wings back on the map lies with Datsyuk.   Being back in the lineup, it will add the necessary factors involving playing effectively at both ends of the rink.  For the Pittsburgh Penguins, they will need the play of Malkin to continue.  He has played strong and having him on the ice he needs to continue to add to the emotional end of the game for the Pens to be successful.

Osgood has made 93 saves/100 shots in the series.  Fleury has the same identical record of 93saves/100 shots. The Pens get the first PP of the night and get no shots.  It was worthy of a standing ovation by the hometown Wing fans.  The transition game of the Wings is up tempo for the first time in the past 2 games.  The best chance in the first 10 minutes was off the stick of Franzen finding his way to the net with a “how do you do move” off the wall.  Fleury stood tall.  The TV timeout proved to be a key for the Wings.  Datsyuk gains speed through the neutral zone off the outlet pass by Rafalski.  Cleary finds himself into a shooting position to use Orpik as a screen and drift one over the glove of Fleury. 1-0 Detroit.  Welcome back to the lineup Pavel Datsyuk.  Shots on goal for the period were 10-8 for Pittsburgh.   Kunitz takes an interference penalty on Osgood.  The Pens bench is not happy and rightfully so inclined.  Advantage Detroit as they were able to get the 20,000 + fans involved.

Starting the 2^nd period the Wings have the PP....but.... give thanks to a “quick up” by Osgood the Wings score their second of the game.  Filpula scores on a pass from Hossa that sent him in all alone to beat Fleury to make it 2-0....it proved to be an even strength goal.  The Wings have something going now.  Another penalty against the Pens as Gonchar slashes the stick of whom else? Datsyuk.  The Pens pay for it, as an unexpected Kronwall walks out of the corner and beats Fleury to make it a 3-0 game.  A  PP goal is the difference, only their 2^nd of the series.  Malkin takes a penalty on Franzen right away and the Wings have a chance to build on their lead.  The Detroit defense is now involved.  This is their game as the defense scores the last two goals.  Rafalski on a great screen by Holmstrom make it a 4-0 game...and oh yes, Datsyuk an assist on the 4^th goal.

The frustration factor of the Pens becomes apparent.  Kunitz throws a couple of shots to Helm.....a roughing call.  The Wings go right back on the PP.  As sharks are to blood, the Wings are to the Pens.  They are all over the visitors and are able to capitalize on a Zetterberg snipe on a nice pass from Hudler.  It is now 5-0.  Fleury gets the YANK from the net for the only purpose of “we need you next game”. This just might be the end of Fleury as a factor in the series.  The Wings are back playing their brand of hockey.  They frustrate the opposition. The captain Sydney Crosby takes a stupid penalty then another minor penalty to Talbot, the development of a 5on 3 PP for the home team.  The Pen defense does a good job and helps put a tourniquet on the wound.  The period ends with a 5-0 Detroit lead.

The third period is one that must be played. The officials keep the game in check and do not let the game get out of hand.  Adams was the first to test the shower in Joe Louis tonight as he is escorted off the ice he was head hunting Kronwall. Talbot joins him in the shower as well. The Wings have scored 3 PP goals tonight and do not fret about scoring.  Both benches are being managed to prepare for game 6....but Malkin is acting as he did in Game 2 where he should have been called as an instigator.  Growing pains by young kids should not be tolerated in a man’s game...that is my view.  Send the message...that “no player is not bigger than the game!!!”  Grow up.

It is over.  The Red Wings are back to the team that dominated most of the NHL during the season.  Osgood shuts out the Pens and he quietly is embraced by his “team” of players.  Welcome back Pavel.  You were a difference maker.  The Wings  win 5-0 and now go back to Pittsburgh for game 6.

Stay tuned!!!!