Pregame Notes: Sharks @ Red Wings – Game Three

I’m going to make a prediction. I never make predictions out of superstition but this time I’m breaking that rule.

If the Red Wings win Game Three and Game Four, they’ll win this series.

No, Detroit has not played well in the first two games against the Sharks. Yes, Jimmy Howard has had to bail them out a bit. That said, San Jose hasn’t been spectacular either.

Antti Niemi has allowed only two goals but I’m not sure he’s had to face a shot off a rebound all series. San Jose has scored a power play goal, a goal that may have well been a power play goal (that also came on a bounce off a defenseman), another PPG, and a goal off a fluky bounce.

The Sharks are definitely controlling the puck but they haven’t been dominant, either.

Detroit has shown at times that they can flip the switch. If they do it tonight, this is an entirely different series.

There don’t appear to be any lineup changes for San Jose. For the Wings, Drew Miller is out in favor of Kris Draper.

Game time is 8:00. TV is weird for this one; FSD locally with Versus joining the game in progress after the Bruins and Flyers. Center Ice and GCL will have the game in full, supposedly for free.