Detroit Red Wings Face A Must Win Situation Tonight in Game Three

No one thought that going back to Detroit for Game Three in this series, the Red Wings would be facing a "must win" situation.

Well, after losses in San Jose on Thursday in Game One and Sunday in Game Two, that's the exact situation Detroit finds themselves in.

Detroit finds themselves in this situation not because of inconsistent play, but because of defensive let downs and officiating.

I am not going to sit here and write an article sounding like a woman on her monthly cycle doing nothing but complaining, but anybody who is anybody (that doesn't despise the Wings) have to agree with the fact that yes, the officials have been horrible so far throughout the playoffs and especially against the Red Wings so far this series.

A few things have to change as far as on-ice play. Detroit can not let the officials and the Sharks dictate play. Detroit's defense has to be better, and Detroit's second line of Zetterberg, Filppula and Bertuzzi need to be better.

So far this series has been all Detroit's first line.

With home ice advantage, Detroit can finally throw out the matchups they want. Joe Pavelski has scored four goals so far this, all on the power play.

With that being said, Detroit can play one of its best, and possibly one of the best NHL's defensive forwards in Zetterberg to cover Pavelski during five on five because he hasn't done damage during those shifts.

Detroit has to stay out of the penalty box.

Mind you, they can't help what the refs call, but they can play more cautious. It would be hard because you don't want to lose the physical aspect of the game, but the Wings need to try to watch what they are doing to try to avoid another 10-time-shorthanded scenario.

The Red Wings find themselves down 2-0 for the first time since 2003 when they got swept in the first round by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, who was then coached by Mike Babcock. 

Though the Wings have come back from trailing 2-0 in a series before (back in '02 to the Canucks), they have an all-time series record of 5-15 when losing Games One and Two.

Home ice also hasn't been a friend to the Red Wings so far this playoff season. After posting a 25-10-6 record during the regular season on home ice, they went 1-2 at home in the first round.

The records don't seem to be in the Red Wings favor, but they can look at the fact that San Jose has never fared well at the Joe, only winning eight times in 44 games in there.

Detroit needs to win. And I personally think they will. But it's up to the Wings to do the work.

Go Wings Go.

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