Your "keys" to tonight's game 6?

Pens:

Here we go.

First, PLEASE control the puck in the offensive zone. this doesnt mean a long shot from the blueline and missing the rebound; It really doesnt.

2. Defense! Everyone's quick to blame Fleury, and I'm tired of hearing it. Control your emotions, TAKE AWAY the passing lanes, block shots, and for heavens sake, PLAY THE SKATER. Three guys tried to play the puck on Kronwall in the second last game, and he made them all look like idiots. When Kronwall does that to the D, you know it's bad. We could put a block of wood on skates and he'd be at least as effective at moving people as Hal Gill.

3. Emotionally, you HAVE to put game 5 behind you. Nothing changes now, the final score is the final score. You have a blank slate, and a 0-0 scoreboard, and all that matters now is that you have more goals than them when the final minute ticks off the clock. This is it. Do or die. We'll see how the Pens respond.

No one expected game 5 to go how it did, but such is life. Bring on game 6.

Let me just add, please, that Fleury must play phenomenally tonight, as well; With the D playing the way it is in front of him, he really has no choice.

I was so disappointed the way the Red Wings played tonight. They looked almost as bad as the Pens did the last game. If it wasn't for "Ozzie". there would have been goals . Detroit wasn't playing their usual game and I was yelling at the TV and wishing I had a hot line to Mike Babcock. This is not the usual Red Wing game. They looked awful and the defense was lacking. They weren't passing much and taking shots that were too far and wasted the shots. Detroit's strong point is usually puck possession, setting up the screen, passing to one or two players to catch Fleury off guard and this wasn't happening until it was too late. Osgood had to stop too many shots and so he deserves to be the player of the game for tonight. Two penalties to Detroit in a row? That's not their style and the Pen's played more like Detroit tonight and it showed.

I couldn't see about 25 minutes of the game, as Channel 10 was frozen on a commercial and I was pissed. By the time started getting it together and scored a goal, it was too late. Pittsburgh had too many possessions tonight. That's a big mistake for Detroit. Where was the defense tonight?

Was there something wrong with the ice? I saw too many players falling all over and the Wings were not playing their usual game but the Pen's were and we lost. Now it's going to game 7 and I sure hope Detroit gets back to playing their usual game. They seemed desperate and they don't usually play like that. What a disappointing night but "Go Wings" for game 7 and the Stanley Cup. What a shame that Hossa came to Detroit to win a Stanley Cup and we played a game that badly. How ironic is that when he came from Pittsburgh to win the Stanley Cup and I sure hope the Wings play like I know they can. They know pressure and usually stay calm , but not tonight. My hat was turned around for the rally but it didn't help. Come on Wings, you are used to the pressure but it looks like you felt the pressure. DEFENSE! GO WINGS!!!!!! I still believe in you. Stop trying to make the shots from too far away, set it up, pass it and get at least two men down near the net, to pass the puck and catch the goalie off guard. It just wasn't there tonight. :( Not many checks either. Get me a hockey stick NOW!

Pens: Puck Possession. Do not fumble around in the defensive zone with the puck, allowing the Wings to pounce on them. For the love of God split up Scuderi and Gil, since both of them stickhandle like the puck is a grenade. The d-men have to get the puck to the forwards with speed, not allowing the forwards to be gobbled up by the suffocating Wing system. And most importantly, Coach Dan Bylsma has to realize that his team has a better shot at winning if they try to win a game 5-4, instead of a 2-1, grind it out style.

Wings:

Set the tone on the first shift. Score the first goal. Make Sid and Geno play defense. Play hungry for the Cup. Limit quality chances because Pit will be hungry. Ozzie is going to need to play big.

Penguins:

Strike early. Get the crowd into the game. PLAY SMART AND POISED. Get good chances. Earn some powerplays. And lastly, lose with a shred of grace and dignity.

GO WINGS!

Red Wings:

Definitely score the first goal. It seems to set them off on the right foot for the night. Defend Osgood. Smash Cindy in the face and Malkin through the glass. =]

For the Wings to win in The Igloo they have to come out with amazing intensity and score first. Osgood has to play out of his mind for a full 60 minutes. Zetterberg and Datsyuk (and whoever else) have to contain Malkin and Crosby and agitate them into taking silly penalties. I doubt that will happen tonight, though.

I hope it's a clean game. My stomach already hurts.

Penguins

Must bench Chris Kunitz and Hall Gil. They are bringing this team down. They bring nothing good to the team at all. Let Chris Minard or Jeff Taffe play LW and let Philippe Boucher or Alex Goligoski play D.

If they do this they would win easily. Since they probably won't it will be a little bit tougher.

Fleury has to outplay Osgood...

The D need to tighten up...

No bad penalties!...

Get as much pressure on Osgood as possible...

Special teams... capitalize on the PP/Kill off Penalties...

Get Malkin/Crosby on the ice as much as possible.

Edit : Bench Kunitz?!? The guy may not be on the score-sheet, but he's taking bodies! Which is what the Penguins need to continue doing, trying to wear down the Red Wings... and if you do want to bench him, get a guy with experience... not Taffe... what about... Sykora! But in conclusion, keep Kunitz in... what a comment.

Penguins:

Definitely need to control their emotions and use that as energy to score some goals. Fluery needs a big night of course as well and the defense needs to be there clearing the puck and people out of around the net. Help the guy out. Hopefully, they will play with all they've got since it could be their last game of the season.

Wings:

Score first-the early goal will help demoralize the crowd

Powerplay-If it performs the same way it did in game 5, the Wings will be golden.

Osgood-He needs to have a good game. With the Pens in a do or die situation, he should expect a lot of good opportunities, so he needs to be on his toes and ready to play.