Red Wings-Ducks: Game Five Done, Detroit Has One More to Go

The Red Wings are now one win away from the Western Conference Finals after defeating the Ducks 4-1 before a rowdy Joe Louis Arena crowd. 

Johan Franzen started the scoring by shooting to the net with his head pointed in another direction.  Such a goal indicates the team might just have Jonas Hiller's number. 

Only a few seconds later, Jiri Hudler batted a loose puck in the crease out of the air and into the net.  Hiller had no chance, as he couldn't find the puck. 

Darren Helm scored the third goal for the Red Wings on a scrum in front of the net.  It was only his third goal ever in the playoffs, but he was due, as his pest-like speed had him everywhere on the ice. 

The scoring concluded with the second-consecutive empty-netter by Henrik Zetterberg. 

The goals reflect that the Ducks are losing their edge.  They don't have enough guys to keep up.  Ryan Getzlaf is pulling defenseman-level minutes; however, this can only lead to him wearing out. 

Hiller, in only his first playoffs, is not intimidating the Wings any more.  Anyone on the Wings, for the most part, can score on him now.

If the Red Wings win Game Six on Tuesday night, they will have closed off their sixth-consecutive playoff series on the road.

Don't expect the Ducks to go without a fight, no matter how worn out they are.  They will still be chippy in front of their fans.