THIRD PERIOD

Highlight Reel: It’s 3-2 and the period has just begun when Vyacheslav Kozlov takes a pass from Martin Lapointe in Hebert’s face--again. Bang, Kozlov hammers a shot at Hebert. Nothing doing. Bang, Kozlov hammers another and this time the light goes on and Detroit has a 4-2 lead. Anybody want to bet on the Red Wings blowing a two-goal lead in the third period of this playoff series? Or any series?

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It’s Not in the Summary: See a trend here? There have been nine periods played in this series, and Detroit has a goal in the first two minutes of five. Home-ice becomes a serious advantage when you do that. Rinks on the road become library-quiet when you score quickly enough to still the crowd. In this game, Kozlov’s goal gives Detroit a sweep of the opening moments of every period. Fowl (Foul?) Towels go into pockets all over the Pond.

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Winning Number: It’s 4-2, and Tomas Holstrom takes a penalty for interference. The Ducks had the best power play in the NHL during the season, converting 22% of their opportunities, and they had two power-play goals in the first period. If they’re going to get back in this game, it’s now. No, it’s not. They get no shots in this power play, even lose three of four faceoffs.

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Wrong Number: Teemu Selanne won the Maurice Richard trophy for leading the NHL in goals with 47, but has none in this game. Then again, it’s hard to score if you don’t shoot. Selanne is held shotless by the Red Wings. That happened only twice this season: once against Phoenix on Jan. 8 (he had three assists in a 4-1 win) and against Edmonton on Jan. 30 (in a 1-0 loss).