Ducks-Wings: Unrelenting Ducks Could Remain a Thorn in Red Wings' Side

This is beginning to get irritating. The Wings apparent inability to win in overtime in the playoffs, that is.

You might say I'm magnifying things—and you might be right. Losing a heart-breaker in triple overtime is no easy thing for a fan to take. Imagine how the Red Wings feel.

Hopefully they can get over it faster than we can.

When Todd Marchant scored on a seemingly pedestrian wrist shot, he elevated his team to 5-0 against Detroit in playoff overtime. Yes, that's right. Detroit has never won an overtime game against Anaheim in the playoffs. Shocking. 

And scary.

Ten years ago Detroit had a true playoff nemesis in the Colorado Avalanche. In 1996 and 1997, the two teams played two playoff series' for the ages, and again in 2001 with slightly less intensity.

That rivalry went on life support the day Claude Lemieux left, and then Adam Foote left. It died the day Patrick Roy retired.

Today, Detroit has a playoff nemesis once again in the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are the only other team in the NHL who over the past few seasons have enjoyed just as much success as Detroit has.

They have Chris Pronger. They have Corey Perry. Now add Mike Brown to that list of ingredients that make a rivalry. Whether you want to call his hit on Jiri Hudler in Game One clean or dirty, it was a proper way to kick off what could be the defining series of the 2009 NHL Playoffs.

Pittsburgh and Washington? Fun to watch, sure. It just doesn't have the epic feel of watching Detroit and Anaheim.

Whoever wins this Second Round matchup will win the Stanley Cup. You can decipher that much after watching the first two games in this series. Both teams are that much in the zone.

There's this pressing need in Detroit to beat these Ducks. Like Colorado over a decade ago, Anaheim is that lagging thorn in the Wings side. That one team that matches up well and isn't intimidated by Detroit's skill and experience.

Why should they be? Anaheim slays giants. That's what they do. Just ask San Jose.

Game One in this series was surely heading for overtime until Lidstrom rocketed home a resounding "No!"

There would be no miracle goal in Game Two. Detroit seemed in a daze for most of the first three periods, clearly getting outplayed and not seeming like they minded too much. Maybe winning your first five playoff games does that to a team, but this is one team Detroit can't afford to take a day off against.

Don't blame Chris Osgood for this one either. I lost count how many times the Wings defense hung him out to dry yesterday and he came through time and time again. He stoned Drew Miller on a breakaway, twice!

Without Osgood, Game Two never even makes it to overtime. Then in first OT, second OT, Osgood continued to play fantastic, holding off every Ducks attack. There were times when he was being used for target practice, something we aren't used to seeing in Detroit. That's what Detroit does to opposing goalies, not vice-versa. Someone forgot to tell the Ducks.

Make no mistake, Jonas Hiller had his hands full as well. This was the young goaltender's second ever overtime NHL playoff game. He passes the test obviously. How does 59 saves sound?

The last thing Detroit needs is to make a hero out of a young goalie in the playoffs but another performance or two out of Hiller like that, and that's exactly what will happen.

This likely won't be the last game in this series that goes to overtime. You have to wonder about Detroit's psyche when the game goes into extra periods. Could the Ducks have gotten into the Wings' heads?

They must learn to win in overtime. Easier said than done, but if anyone can shake off a triple overtime loss at home, it's Detroit.

Take one of two in Anaheim and Detroit remains in solid shape. This now has the feel of a seven game series, all closely contested.

Buckle down Detroit, and prepare for sleepless nights. This is going to be one for the ages.