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Well it's come down to this Coyote fans. We have to win today in Detroit to bring the series back to Phoenix for the deciding game 7. After the collapse we had again late in game 5 the guys will have to repeat the success they had in game 3 at Joe Louis to keep this run going. Another early jump on the board would do wonders for the guys. Too many times this series we've played down a goal. We need to be the ones in the lead to make this happen today.
The Coyotes need to play the full game too. This is the second time that they were in the game or even tied late and then gave it up by not doing all the things that got them to that point of the game. in game 5 it was not clearing the Wings away from the front of the net. In 4 it was just lazy defensive plays late. They have got to find a way to dig deep and keep their feet moving the whole time. Shane Doan is still a gametime decision, but I really can't imagine him not playing with the season on the line.
The Wings have done well in making the defense play like the defense they usually are in the last two games. Howard has been alright in goal, but the blueline guys pushing the play away from the net consistently has made his job pretty easy. I'm still waiting for someone to deck Miller too.
Starting Goalies
He's still playing well, but when the guys don't clear out the jerks in front of him there's not a lot he can do. He needs to stay confident and stop trying to handle the puck. That hasn't gone terribly well lately.
Still playing well, but hasn't been tested enough. As I said above, it's the Detroit defense that has really stepped up more than Howard. He's still beatable and the Coyotes know it. Now they just have to make it happen.
Key Players
I would have thought the team would have hunkered down more than they did in the last 2 games without the Captain, but instead they haven't had the same intensity. If Doan plays I like our chances, If not, I still think we can do it, but it'll be harder.
Someone has to hit this guy while he's getting all fancy with his stick handling. Not like a vicious thing or anything, but our guys have been letting him dangle the puck all over the place and they have got to get a body on him when he does to discourage it.