Game 5 Will Define Series Says Wing’s Draper
Added on May 08, 2011 by John Petit in
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The Red Wings have dug themselves a big hole with San Jose Sharks being down 3 games to 1, and game 5 in San Jose is going to be a tough haul. Only 3 teams have come back from being down 3 nil in the history of the NHL, and the Wings will need three more wins to be in that class. Right now its a one day at a time atmosphere for the wings. They have no room to complain either, as many think its all luck that they even have games left on the schedule at all.
Kris Draper thinks Game 5 will define the series for both teams, and if they can muster the win over the Sharks they could possibly break the momentum. One thing is for certain, the Red Wings are out of second chances, and a loss is out of the question for the next 3 games. Draper said “This is the big one. I think Game 5 is huge. We’re coming into their building, they obviously want to end the series. And we’re going to do everything we can possibly do to force a Game 6, and then anything can happen. That’s really what it comes down to.”
Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock doesn’t like the situation they are in one bit, but they aren’t done yet and there is a possibility of three games left on the table. The Wings might be on life support, but they aren’t dead yet. Babcock says both coaches will have a different strategy for Sunday night, but as long as the Wings win he thinks there is a chance. He said “Right now, they’re 3-1. So they’re in a situation that’s different than our situation,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “But the reality is as these things go on and a team can crawl back in it, things get tighter and tighter. That’s just the facts.”
The Vancouver Canucks know all about heart break in the post season, and were sent home the last 2 years by current Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks. No one on the Sharks bench thinks this series is over, and they aren’t going to take the foot off the gas. The Red Wings are an experience post season team that knows how to put teams away when they have too. Sharks Forward Ryan Clowe says they still have a job to do, and its not going to do itself. He said “It’s not just going to end on its own. You’re going to have to battle for it, and we have to play better. We’ve got better hockey here, and I think Sunday you’ll see better hockey from us.”
The Canucks feel its just a matter of time before they win over the Wings, but they realize the time and energy could be spent recovering for the next round. The post season is far from over if they get past the Wings, and it will most likely get even more grueling. Dan Boyle said it best “With the travel and the wear and tear, you don’t want to prolong this any longer.” With two of the games so far going into over time, both won by the Sharks, both teams have quickly realized this isn’t your normal series.
The Puck will drop at 8pm in San Jose for Game 5 between the Canucks and Red Wings on Versus.
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