In The Face-Off Circle: A game-by-game look at the face-off matchups in the Stanley Cup Final
Tuesday's game 6 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings proved to be one of the most intense, exciting, and nail-biting games in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, as it literally came down to a matter of inches in the closing minutes of the third period. It was also the first game in the series where the two teams were even in the face-off circle, as both teams won 24-of-48 draws.
Which ones had an impact on the game? Find out after the jump.
In The Face-Off Circle: A game-by-game look at the face-off matchups in the Stanley Cup Final
Saturday was a rather forgettable night for the Pittsburgh Penguins, to say the least, as they were on the receiving end of a 5-0 rout at Joe Louis Arena, falling behind the Red Wings, 3-2, in the Stanley Cup Final. While Detroit didn't win the majority of the face-offs in game 5, it managed to take advantage and capitalize on the ones it did win, especially in the second period as the Penguins were in the process of self destructing with a series of penalties.
In The Face-Off Circle: A game-by-game look at the face-off's in the Stanley Cup Final
The Detroit Red Wings had their best face-off man, Kris Draper, back in the lineup for Game 4, and as a team they had their best showing since Game 1, winning 34 of 60 draws. While Draper won six of his 11, the biggest factor in the margin on Thursday night wasn't what any one individual Red Wing did, but what one individual Penguin didn't do.
The face-off battle in the Stanley Cup Final has been an interesting one to watch, as the Red Wings dismantled the Penguins in Game 1, winning 39 of 55 draws, only to have the Penguins rebound in Game 2 by winning 27 of 51 (though, Detroit still won the game, due in large part to face-off wins in the offensive zone leading to goals).
How would things play out in Game 3? Results after the jump.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a familiar situation against the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final, down two games to none as the series shifts back to Pittsburgh, just like last year. On the plus side, at least they managed a goal (two!) in the opening two games in Motown. Here are three things to watch for in Game 3 as the Penguins attempt to claw their way back into the series.
One of the key factors in Pittsburgh's Game 1 loss was Detroit's dominance in the face-off circle, leading to puck possession, scoring opportunities and, ultimately, goals. The Penguins showed considerable improvement in this area in Game 2, but it still wasn't enough as the Red Wings managed to take a 2-0 series lead as it shifts back to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
The Penguins actually won the face-off battle on Sunday (27-24) and even scored a goal as a result of one of their wins, but they still struggled to keep possession of the puck at times, and still gave up scoring chances (and goals) off of their losses.
One of the key factors in Detroit's 3-1 win on Saturday was its dominant performance in the face-off circle, as the Wings won 39-of-55 draws. It's an impressive number on its own, but when you consider the Wings were playing without Pavel Datsyuk (winning 52 percent of his draws this postseason) and Kris Draper (64 percent) it's downright scary. And kind of ridiculous.
After the jump, a breakdown of which players did the damage, and who they did it against. Let's just say this: It's ugly for the Penguins, which begs the question: where the hell is Mike Zigomanis when you need him?
For Marc-Andre Fleury, this year's Stanley Cup final got off to a much better start than last year's seeing as how he didn't trip and fall when coming onto the ice. Unfortunately for him, that's where the good news ended. Two of Detroit's goals in its 3-1 win took odd bounces off of Fleury from bad angles on their way into net, as the Red Wings managed to take a 1-0 series lead on Saturday night.
Brad Stuart started it for the Wings midway through the first period when his slapshot took a bounce off the active Joe Louis Arena boards and deflected in off of Fleury's backside, reminiscent of the game-winning goal in last year's series-clinching win for Detroit. After Ruslan Fedotenko tied it later in the period, Johan Franzen was credited with his 11th of the postseason, and the eventual game-winning tally, when his shot from behind the net bounced in off of Fleury's leg.
Red Wings 3, Penguins 1: Recap | Box Score Red Wings Lead Series 1-0
The Detroit Red Wings have hoisted the Stanley Cup 11 times in their history and this year, they're going to have the chance to do it for the 12th time. Wednesday night they defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in overtime, winning the series in five games. In the Finals the Wings will face the Penguins and for the first time since the Oilers and Islanders did it in 1983 and 1984 the Stanley Cup finals will be a repeat of the previous season.
Despite missing Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom due to injury, the Wings closed out the Hawks on their home ice at the Joe. The scoreboard doesn't paint a clear picture of the game, either. If not for Hawks netminder Cristobal Huet, overtime likely would not have been necessary.
Red Wings 2, Blackhawks 1 (OT): Recap | Box Score Red Wings Win Series 4-1
DETROIT -- After the Red Wings stopped the Ducks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Thursday. Detroit forward Mikael Samuelsson said, "Sometimes the stars take each other out a little."
And when the big-name guys cancel each other out, the Wings usually are left in a better position that their opponents, which was the case in Game 7, when Darren Helm, Samuelsson and Dan Cleary provided the final three goals in a 4-3 victory. Jiri Hudler scored the first goal of the night on a power play.
Helm never has scored a goal in the regular season (14 games) but he has four postseason goals, and his breakaway score on Thursday showed off his terrific speed. Samuelsson is a role player, but has a nose for big playoff goals, while Cleary is a grinder. His game-winner with three minutes left Thursday was his first goal of the series.
In The Face-Off Circle: A game-by-game look at the face-off matchups in the Stanley Cup Final
One of the key factors in Pittsburgh's Game 1 loss was Detroit's dominance in the face-off circle, leading to puck possession, scoring opportunities and, ultimately, goals. The Penguins showed considerable improvement in this area in Game 2, but it still wasn't enough as the Red Wings managed to take a 2-0 series lead as it shifts back to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
One of the key factors in Detroit's 3-1 win on Saturday was its dominant performance in the face-off circle, as the Wings won 39-of-55 draws. It's an impressive number on its own, but when you consider the Wings were playing without 
For 
The Detroit Red Wings have hoisted the Stanley Cup 11 times in their history and this year, they're going to have the chance to do it for the 12th time. Wednesday night they defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in overtime, winning the series in five games. In the Finals the Wings will face the Penguins and for the first time since the Oilers and Islanders did it in 1983 and 1984 the Stanley Cup finals will be a repeat of the previous season. 
DETROIT -- After the Red Wings stopped the Ducks in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Thursday. Detroit forward 
