The game is tied at 3, and the third period looms in what could ultimately be the last 20 minutes of the NHL in Phoenix for who knows how long.
The Red Wings will have 17 seconds left on a power play after a high-sticking penalty against the Coyotes’ Kyle Turris. The second period was full of knot-in-stomach moments, as both teams had their chances to take a lead into the intermission.
Can’t stress enough how hard both teams are playing. The Coyotes definitely showed up with that sense of urgency even if they’ve given up three goals. The Red Wings aren’t rolling over. They clearly want to sweep the series and move on.
The power play is once again the Coyotes’ friend. Only 1:09 into the second period, Ray Whitney tried to pass into the area in front of the goal from behind it, and the Phoenix player was there but whiffed on his shot. The puck kicked out to Radim Vrbata, who passed to center Martin Hanzal, who fired in wrist shot to give the Coyotes a lead.
Turris is playing very well and could have given Phoenix a two-goal lead at the 17:19 mark if not for a Jimmy Howard save.
The Red Wings took advantage of a penalty to the Coyotes’ Lauri Korpikoski. The puck came out in front to Niklas Kronwall, whose shot Ilya Bryzgalov couldn’t stop.
There were no other goals but several close calls including a shot for each team that hit a post. For the Coyotes, Turris broke free ahead of the defenders and had his shot on point glove-saved by Howard at the 7:51 mark. Later, the Coyotes were able to kill off a Red Wings power play to the delight of the sellout crowd of 17,314.