As the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Red Wings taking on the Kings in this first round was supposed to be little more than a clearing of the throat. Instead, the Wings are gagging. Well, if this were the NBA, the Wings would be done already. They have lost three of five. The old standbys are out the window.
Home ice means nothing.
Better record means nothing. The return of an injured player means nothing. And now, to make matters worse, we have this nightmarish scenario for Game 6, something out of a Stephen King novel, in which the wee hours of the morning could hold the ugliest news. Now, don't misunderstand. Red Wings fans do not feel entitled.