With series tied, Red Wings expect to roast the Ducks

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings have the Anaheim Ducks right where they want them. Maybe.

Detroit finds itself in a series tied after four games for the third time this postseason, entering Game 5 of the Western Conference finals today at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings beat San Jose and Calgary by a combined score of 9-2 in their previous Game 5’s and went on to eliminate both teams in the following game.

“It’s huge momentum if you can get Game 5,” Detroit forward Johan Franzen said. “It really hurts the other team.”

Not impressed

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle wasn’t putting much stock in Detroit’s past success.

“We’re not into historic statistics,” he said. “We’re into playing a complete hockey game. We’ve done it in this building.”

Anaheim eliminated both Vancouver and Minnesota in five games earlier in the postseason. A win today would still leave the Ducks a win away from the Stanley Cup finals.

Game 6 is Tuesday night in Anaheim. If necessary, Game 7 will be Thursday night in Detroit.

Anaheim should get a boost today with the return of star defenseman Chris Pronger, who leads the team with 12 postseason points. Pronger was suspended for the previous game, which the Ducks won, after hitting Tomas Holmstrom’s head into the glass in Game 3.

“You’ve seen him do that before, so I’m not surprised he’d do it again.” Holmstrom said. “I’m going to do my job the same way, go in front of the net. He’s probably going to give me a beating again and I’m going to keep coming back.”

Detroit goaltender Dominik Hasek was still upset about Pronger’s hit leading to 13 stitches over two cuts on Holmstrom’s forehead.

“Pronger knew exactly what he was doing, putting his glove on Tomas’ head to the glass,” Hasek said. “He knows what he’s done, but we cannot pay too much attention. We know he’s back in the lineup. They’ll be even better team with him.”

With so much at stake, Pronger said it’s only natural for relations to get testy.

“Anytime you’re at this late a stage in the playoffs, teams play over and over again, there’s always going to be rivalries,” he said. “There’s always going to be bad blood. There’s always going to be emotions playing a part in a series.”