After getting the first two series wrong, I redeem myself with the perfect choice of Detroit in 6. Maggie remains the best picker with a record of 2-1 compared to everyone else's who at most has a record of 1-2. Detroit will now go on to face Columbus in the the second round, could another upset happen?
Game 1 saw the underdogs Calgary steal a game thanks to Ty Conklin who stopped 22 shots for a 6-3 victory. Trading away their key guys in Drury, Langkow and Vyborny did not seem to impact them as the guys they got in return (Marleau, Langenbrunner and Zubrus) combined for 3 goals and 4 points in Game 1. After conceeding two goals in the first five minutes, Calgary rebounded and after Rafalski's goal 13 minutes into the third, never looked back.
Game 2 started off with the momentum that Calgary gained from game 1 as Tucker scored the only goal of the first shocking the Wing fans into silence. But goals from Cammalleri and Vanek in the second restored the noise level to its usual levels. Although the Flames would not have minded taking a split back to Calgary, Foote's goal in the third gave the Flames a shot to take a 2-0 lead in overtime. However, just 3:21 into the first overtime, Sykora ended any hope of that with his game winning goal.
Game 3 demonstrated Detroit's tactics to get Lehtonen off his game with O'Neill and Getzlaf both getting minors for goalie interference. Though Getzlaf was protesting Lehtonen was diving, he was still sent off and in the second after Langenbrunner had put the Flames ahead, a goal by Avery tied it up and a powerplay goal by Getzlaf put the Wings ahead. However, before the second ended, the Wings took three consecutive penalties tiring their defensemen which allowed Tucker to tie it up early in the third. While Pronger was in the box for Unsportsmanlike-Conduct and the teams were playing 4 on 4, Andrew Alberts played the hero scoring the game winner.
Game 4 was the opposite of game 1, after Calgary scored 2 goals in the first and another in the second to give them a 3-1 lead. Detroit scored 5 unanswered goals for a 6-3 victory. Cammalleri's hat-trick showed the resurgence of Detroit's offence, with Sykora's 4 points leading the way.
Game 5 saw Cammalleri turn from goal scorer to playmaker, setting up Getzlaf's 2 goals including the game winner in the second period. It then became the Marc-Andre Fleury show as he stopped 10 shots in the third and 27 overall.
Game 6 was the first possibility for Detroit to clinch the series and Thomas Vanek, after being demoted earlier in the week, attempted to show why he should be getting more minutes. Opening the scoring in the first, it began the pitched battle as both teams limited each other to 21-19 shots each, with Calgary just edging Detroit. However, Detroit were making the most of their chances with Pronger and Avery scoring in the second and Vanek adding in an insurance marker in the third before Kunitz scored the consolation goal.
Three Stars of the Series
1. Petr Sykora 1 goal, 9 assists, +2 - Petr Sykora provided the Wings with tons of offense with his only goal being the key game winner in game 2.
2. Michael Cammalleri 5 goals, 3 assists, 0 PIM - Cammalleri's clean play and 5 goals made him a threat throughout the series. His speed was a huge factor as he was easily skating by Adam Foote constantly.
3. Brian Rafalski 2 goals, 2 assists, 1 game winner - Rafalski proved he can be a factor in a playoff series. His 4 points led all Calgary defensemen, while his +1 rating showed he was dependable in his own zone.
Scapegoat of the Series
Who says the sim doesn't reflect the NHL? Patrick Marleau, hardly ever a factor in NHL playoffs, had just the one point in the series. With only 4 shots as well showed his nervousness of shooting the puck. Others considered for this title was Lehtonen (3.53 GAA and .868 SV%), Darcy Tucker (Goon) and Sean Avery (Little SOB).
