Posted by Pierre LeBrun
DETROIT -- If there's a team that doesn't need overtime right now, it's the Detroit Red Wings.
Looking absolutely tired in the second half of the third period, Detroit came oh-so-close to ending it with 17 seconds to go when Johan Franzen's backhand rebound attempt was miraculously stopped by a right-pad save from a sprawled Cristobal Huet.
That would be save No. 42 from Huet tonight for fans counting at home.
He finally was beaten 6:08 into the third period on a beauty of a redirection by Dan Cleary. Joe Louis Arena was rocking, and it looked as if that was going to be all she wrote.
Hold on, said Patrick Kane.
The Hawks' super sophomore wheeled out of the neutral zone like a rocket and sent a backhand daddy top corner on Chris Osgood -- an amazing goal at 12:53 that stunned the locals.
Then, the Wings hung on for dear life. They are dead tired. Niklas Kronwall and Brian Rafalski have played more than 27 minutes, and Brad Stuart has more than 26. Brett Lebda, usually the sixth defenseman on this team, has played more than 22 minutes.
Adding to Detroit's injury problems is a mishap for star winger Marian Hossa, who was flying tonight. He suffered an apparent leg injury around the nine-minute mark of the third period. He missed a few shifts but eventually came back, although clearly he's laboring.
The Hawks have the younger legs. It will be interesting to see whether the Wings find a way or the Hawks force Game 6 on Saturday in Chicago. Heck of a game.
More from me after the game!
ESPN.com Stanley Cup playoffs blog
