GLENDALE, Arizona -- The Phoenix Coyotes scored three times on the power play Wednesday night, providing all the offense they needed en route to a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Game One of their Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup.
Phoenix scored on three of their four total power plays. The fourth was shortened by the Coyotes taking a penalty of their own.
The Red Wings opened the scoring with 7:43 left in the first period when Tomas Holmstrom wristed a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle over the glove of Phoenix netminder Ilya Bryzgalov, who seemingly whiffed on the attempted save.
The Coyotes responded 1:56 later. Just nine seconds into a power play, Keith Yandle snapped a shot on net that redirected off of defenseman Brad Stuart's leg and past goaltender Jimmy Howard.
Detroit regained the lead with a power play goal of their own with 3:33 remaining in the period. Nicklas Lidstrom sent a slap shot from the blue line between four players' legs on its way past Bryzgalov.
Wojtek Wolski one-timed a chance from the right faceoff circle past Howard at 6:15 of the second period for Phoenix's second power play goal to tie the game.
Derek Morris scored just 2:19 into the third, putting the Coyotes in front. Matthew Lombardi won a faceoff in the left circle back to Morris at the blue line. Shane Doan knocked Darren Helm down away from the puck to give Morris a clear path to the top of the slot where he blasted a shot past Howard.
The Red Wings were unable to pull back even in the game's closing minutes and the Coyotes held on to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Howard made 32 saves on 35 Phoenix shots while Bryzgalov stopped 38 of 40 chances.
Game Two of the series will be Friday in Glendale.
Phoenix, meanwhile, is expected to start the series without former Red Wing Robert Lang, out with an upper-body injury.
That's good because it seems like he always manages to score against the Wings!
You would like to think that all of the money you shell out for Center Ice you would have the option between FSD and VS. As of now that does not seem to be the case... Go figure... For more than half the season I was unable to see the games on VS. and now I have no choice. 
I need to move to Michagan... 
Anyone else nervous as hell? I'd kind of forgotten this feeling.
All that's missing is this:
Goddamn, that was close.
Ha! All the bitching about Homer and Phoenix gets the first goalie interference call.
Holy f*ck I thought this bastard was supposed to be unbeatable?
Way to go Homer!
Oh Stuie, don't do that. Motherf*ck.
Back in front, motherbitches!
Okay, someone explain to me why it's okay to throw an elbow at someone after the whistle but not okay to break your stick across their nose when play is stopped? After the whistle sh*t p*sses me off.
Keep giving them power plays...
Now the validity of those power plays...
Now they call that? I'll take it but WTF?
Three weak calls, three goals. Does the PK suck or should they never have been called in the first place?
Lidstrom sticked to the face, no call. Does that mean we get to carve Doan's nose off now?
already said it, i'm sticking with it. yotes in 6. Remember who else the wings have to overcome besides the coyotes. GOT BETTMAN?
I agree that Williams probably should sit next game and abdelkader replaces him. I also agree that coyotes probably can't keep this pace up for 7 game series although you have to remember that this team is young and has played very tight knit hockey all year. To me this feels like '03, '04, '06 for the wings facing a much grittier up and coming team.
Nicklas Lidstrom
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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