The Sharks would skate through the giant Shark head at HP Pavilion one last time before taking a two game road trip to the infamous Joe Louis Arena. With home ice being such a hard place for the visiting team to win at, the Sharks needed to come out strong and use their home ice placing as an advantage over the Red Wings. But Detroit, knowing well that they could not fall behind 2 games, were ready to come out in desperation mode to steal the win at the Shark Tank, which was roaring with enthusiasm.
The first 5 minutes of play were filled with a high tempo style of game that favored neither team. Each had their chances, with Nabokov (#20, pictured at top) and Howard making some fine saves. On a key offensive zone faceoff win, the Sharks were able to establish some sustained offensive presence and seemingly had the Red Wings hemmed in their own zone. An errant pass from Joe Thornton (#19) launched Paval Datsyuk into the Sharks zone with only Marc-Edouard Vlasic (#44) defending. Hard back checking by Jumbo found him within stick's reach of the puck, as well as Vlasic finding body position but two Sharks players weren't about to stop Datsyuk from unleashing a wrist shot (play pictured above). The puck bounced off the post, hit Nabokov, and went into the net. The loudest building in all of the NHL went silent: 1-0 Red Wings. With little less than half the period played, the Sharks were rewarded a Power Play opportunity to try and tie the game up at 1 a piece. With the Big 3, the Big Pavelski (as the Bay Area has re-dubbed him), and Dan Boyle all out on the ice, the Sharks were sure to score if they could win the faceoff and set up their cycle quickly. Jumbo was thrown out of the circle and replaced with Patrick Marleau who luckily is a natural center who plays wing. He was able to win the draw and move the puck to Dany Heatley who found Joe Pavelski on the point. With a beautiful slap shot, the Big Pavelski buried it pass Howard: 1-1 Sharks. Detroit answered back quickly, dominating in the Sharks zone. Yet they weren't allowed to just occupy the Sharks territory as there were many fierce board battles as well as big hits - including Sharks captain Rob Blake (#4) check Tomas Holmstrom hard to the ice (play pictured below). With a great save by Nabby, the Sharks were able to spring Pavelski up ice on a breakaway with Ryane Clowe and Devin Setoguchi following close behind. With a great spin move to protect the puck, Pavelski was able to buy enough time for Clowe to get to the net. Passing it cross ice to Clowe, big #29 was able to back hand it passed Howard for one of the best looking goals so far in the series: 2-1 Sharks. The Sharks continued to apply pressure and Manny Malhotra (#27, pictured at bottom) was absolutely robbed by the glove of Howard. The Sharks ended up taking a penalty and found themselves on the PK for the first time of the game. The hit on Red Wing Holmstrom did little to deter this fierce and gritty player from standing right in front of Nabokov, doing a great screening job. With a shot from the point, Holmstrom was able to tip it passed Nabby for the tying goal: 2-2 Sharks.
Once again, the Sharks looked weak in the second period and lagged behind Detroit who dominated a lot of the play. The Sharks took an early penalty and the Red Wings made them pay. Again, with Holmstrom screening Nabokov, Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom ripped a rocket of a shot passed Nabokov for the lead: 3-2 Red Wings. The Wings kept the pressure up but Nabokov did well to challenge the puck shooters and cut down their shooting angle, keeping the deficit to 1. The Sharks eventually got their game back under control and were able to draw a penalty, but Jason Demers hit the post on his blue line shot. While the Sharks were unable to convert on the PP, they were able to win the offensive faceoffs and dominate in the Red Wings zone for the majority of the 2 minute minor. But their inability to score a goal, kept Detroit's lead going into the third period. 
Detroit came out hard, challenging Nabokov early who matched that challenge with back-to-back stellar saves. The battles in front of the net, on the boards, and in neutral ice became fierce as the Sharks hit desperation mode. The Sharks once again took an early penalty, giving the Red Wings the opportunity to bury the Sharks with a 2 goal lead. Datsyuk, the Red Wing's first goal scorer, threatened early but Nabokov robbed him with an excellent glove save, one that rivaled Howard's in the first period. HP Pavilion came to life as the crowd chanted "Nabby, Nabby" in applause for what could have been the game saving and game changing save. The massive save seemed to spark some life into the sharks and they began their attack against Detroit. They were rewarded with a Power Play of their own and the lethal line of the Big 3, Pavelski, and Boyle were out to take full advantage of it. As they cycled the puck, trying to find a clear shooting lane, the puck was passed to Patty who was at the right point. He fired a shot that went wide of the net, causing Howard to get out of position. Jumbo quickly backhanded it up the crease where Heater and Pavs were waiting. As bodies collapsed and a mad scramble for the puck ensued, the Big Pavelski was able to find it and shove it passed Howard for his second Power Play Goal of the night, a league leading 9 total: 3-3 Sharks. With 15 minutes left, the Sharks had to find a way to stop Detroit from scoring as well as get one of their own to win the game. Detroit quickly gained possession of the puck in the Sharks zone and sent it up to the point where Detroit captain Lidstrom was waiting to fire it towards the net, but as he took the shot, his stick snapped in half. Heater was there in an instant and found himself on a breakaway with Thornton coming up on the left wing. Heater ripped a shot and Howard made the save. Yet, the rebound found its way to Jumbo who was able to tap it home, the last of the Big 3 had finally scored: 4-3 Sharks. The game wasn't over yet with over 7 minutes left to play. The Sharks never gave the Red Wings the chance to get sustained pressure in the final minutes of the game and actually forced Detroit to take a penalty which took away the 6-5 man advantage when they pulled goalie Howard. With one final save from Nabokov, the Sharks beat the Red Wings 4-3, the same score as Game 1 to take the 2-0 lead in the series.
