Western Conference
Detroit Red Wings 4, San Jose Sharks 3 -- The Detroit Red Wings kept their season alive, staving off elimination for the second straight game with a 4-3 victory in San Jose. After letting a 3-0 lead slip away in Game Four before Darren Helm scored the game winning goal with less than two minutes remaining, the Red Wings won with greater degree of difficulty in Game Five. Down 3-1 early in the third period, Jonathan Ericson and Danny Cleary scored goals two minutes apart to tie the game. Tomas Holmstrom game the Wings their first (and only) lead in the game with a tip in shot at 13:52 in the third, and giving the Wings new life.
This series now moves back to Detroit, and the Wings are attempting to become the second team in this playoffs to force a Game Seven after being down 3-0. The Chicago Blackhawks took the Vancouver Canucks to the limit before falling in overtime in an instant classic of a game. With the Sharks recent history as a regular season juggernaut -- and playoff disappointment -- this series has now become fascinating. Detroit has the momentum, and winning two more games in a row doesn't seem so far-fetched.
San Jose leads the series, 3-2.
Game To Watch Tonight
Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators, 8:00 p.m. EDT, on Versus -- The Predators won on Vancouver ice to guarantee at least one more game in front of their home crowd this postseason. After a defensive struggle the first four games, Nashville received two goals apiece from Joel Ward and David Legwand to take Game Five. With both Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne playing well in net, this series has been determined by who wins the most battles. The action has been physical and hard-hitting, and that trend should continue. These two teams do not like each other, and the Predators are hoping to use that physicality to force a Game Seven.
Vancouver leads the series, 3-2.