Johan Franzen doubled his previous playoff scoring total in one game. Perfect timing for the Detroit Red Wings. Franzen had a natural hat trick in a 3:26 span of the first period, scored a fourth goal in the third, and set a team playoff record with six points as Detroit stayed alive with a 7-1 rout of the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. “Hopefully, I can get some confidence and the team can get some confidence,” Franzen said. “I’ve been struggling on the goal-scoring side.” Franzen had just two goals in the first 10 playoff games. The burly forward known as “Mule” scored 25 times the previous two postseasons for the two-time defending Western Conference champions. “Mule is one of those guys—like (Joe) Pavelski—when you get hot, you just shoot the puck,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. San Jose will host Game 5 on Saturday night with another chance to advance to hockey’s final four for the second time in franchise history and first since 2004. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap;_ylt=ArJrICLUoey89WnKs9ypGlZ7vLYF?gid=2010050605
