Game 3

On the heels of one of the most exciting Red Wing playoff games in recent memory, the Wings went out and laid a big fat egg this afternoon.

Phoenix may only have a 2-1 series lead, but, for some reason, it feels like the series is already over. It's a bizarre feeling because Phoenix is only halfway there, and the Wings have come back from 2-1 deficits plenty of times (including against Phoenix). The difference is that this particular series is playing out like many of the Red Wing losses of years past.

Phoenix is one of those quick, aggressive teams that give the Wings fits (see Pittsburgh '09, Edmonton '06, Ducks '03). Almost all their goals are on the break. They rush down the ice, put the puck on the net, and pounce on the rebound. And it's worked.

Twice today I saw Phoenix take on Rafalski and Lidstrom and make them look like cement-footed rookies. That's quite disconcerting. If the Wings top d-men can't squash a 2-on-2 with the game hanging in the balance, the Wings are in serious trouble.

On the plus side, Phoenix can't match the Wings' skill. It's possible that with some stronger defending and goaltending, the Wings will eventually take this series. And they could do it with three straight wins. But, they'll have to figure a way to neutralize the Phoenix break. Perhaps it's time to dust off Brett Lebda and Derek Meech. I don't think either guy is a killer defenseman, but they have speed. They might be a better match for the Phoenix forwards than Lilja and Ericsson. At this point, I doubt Babcock will sub out two of his top-6 d-men, but my guess is that at least Lebda will be in the lineup for Game 4.