It seemed destined that the Detroit Red Wings were going to force a Game 7 against the Anaheim Ducks. They were up 3-1 with three and a half minutes left in regulation, on home ice and in an elimination game. No way they'd lose that lead.
Ducks vs. Red Wings, Game 6 recap: Detroit blows big lead but wins in OT
Detroit blew a two goal lead late in the third, but then Henrik Zetterberg scored in overtime to force Game 7.
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Well, they lost that lead.
Emerson Etem scored his second of the playoffs at the 16:32 mark, picking up a loose puck off the boards and pushing it past Jimmy Howard before the goalie could get across to the other pipe. Then, Bobby Ryan found a loose puck on his stick and tapped it in the net to even the score at the 17:23 mark.
Then, it seemed destined that the Ducks were going to end the series right there. There'd be no Game 7. They'd advance and we'd have handshakes at the Joe this Friday night. No way they'd lose after deflating the Red Wings crowd and taking complete control over the game.
Well, that didn't happen.
Henrik Zetterberg's big blast from the point appeared to deflect off the stick of Saku Koivu, then weave its way through traffic and past Jonas Hiller. The Red Wings won, 4-3, and we'll have a Game 7 at Honda Center.
The Ducks controlled the game territorially, outshooting the Red Wings 37-29, but Jimmy Howard played a solid game ... you know, when his defense wasn't busy putting pucks behind him.
The Wings overcame the awful luck and the even worse collapse, though. Hockeytown lives another day. Game 7 is at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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