Detroit forces Game 5 in San Jose after 4-3 win on Friday
DETROIT -- Despite wasting a three-goal lead on home ice, the
Detroit Red Wings finally found a way to defeat the
San Jose Sharks, as a 4-3, Game Four victory on Friday night from Joe Louis Arena prolonged this playoff series at least one more game.
San Jose, which had won all three previous meetings with the Wings this season in Hockeytown, battled all the way back from a first period, 3-0 deficit to tie the score early in the third period. But a relentless Red Wings surge in the game's final minutes, buoyed by a raucous home crowd, produced a game-winning goal off the stick of
Darren Helm, as the Wings avoided a humiliating sweep.
"We did what we had to do," said Norris Trophy finalist
Nicklas Lidstrom. "We had to win tonight, and that's what we did."
"First ten minutes will be really important for us," added forward
Patrick Eaves, looking ahead to Sunday's Game Five. "They're gonna come out with a push, and so are we. So it will be really good hockey early on."
Click on the video link to hear Helm, Eaves and
Jimmy Howard discuss the game-winning goal, followed by players' thoughts on another do-or-die situation Sunday in San Jose.
