DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings’ rivalry with the San Jose Sharks hasn’t been as bloody as their clashes with Colorado more than a dozen years ago or as chippy as their recent playoff battles with Anaheim and Pittsburgh.

San Jose isn’t in Detroit’s head, certainly not to the extent that Vancouver appeared psyched out by Chicago before draining those demons Tuesday in Game 7.

But the Sharks are becoming a slightly annoying obstacle for the Red Wings, having eliminated them in five games during the second round of the playoffs a year ago and then winning this year’s season series 3-1.

The Red Wings are looking for some payback in the rematch of the Western Conference semifinals, starting Friday night at the HP Pavilion.

"They beat us last year, ended our season," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "That in itself should have us a little fired up and wary. They beat us three of four times this year. So it’s up to us."

Players don’t need extra motivation in the postseason, but Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard said his team wants a little revenge, and forward Danny Cleary said they’re looking for a little redemption.

"It’s in the back of everybody’s mind," Cleary said. "No one feels good about getting knocked out, no matter what round it is. They played better for sure, but there were a lot of one-goal games, a lot of missed opportunities.

"It’s a good opportunity for us to prove ourselves again. They’re a good team, it’s going to be a good series."

Said Howard: "They did end our season last year. I think it’s going to push us."

The Red Wings must show more discipline than they did in Games 1 and 2 last year (San Jose went 4-for-16 on the power play, including a pair of five-on-three goals).

"You can argue the calls, but the fact is, we have to be better in that area," Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart said.

Phoenix, with a below-average power play, went 6-for-18 vs. Detroit in the opening round. San Jose went 2-for-23 (8.7 percent) on the man-advantage in its first round against Los Angeles, but the Sharks have many more scoring threats than the Coyotes.

"Their first (power play) group they throw on the ice is one of the best in the NHL," Howard said. "Our PK and special teams really have to step it up."

San Jose’s bevy of talented forwards includes former league MVP Joe Thornton, stars Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley and dangerous supporting players Joe Pavelski, Devin Setoguchi, Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture.

"They’re big and strong on the puck and very good at cycling it," Detroit’s Kris Draper said. "They try to wear you down. We want to make their big players play in their end as much as possible."

The Red Wings can match the Sharks’ talent up front with stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and big-bodied forwards who can score, including Cleary, Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi.

"We have to take the puck from them as quickly as possible so they don’t wear on us," Franzen said. "We have to stop their cycle and do it to them."

The difference could be the play of the third and fourth lines. Darren Helm was a forechecking force in the first round, making life miserable for the Coyotes defense.

"I think we’re a better forechecking team and a harder team up front on their (defense) than we have been in a number of years," Babcock said. "Is it just going to be against one team or can we do it again? I think we’re capable of doing it again.

"If you’re not on their D, they’re going to be on your D, so you have to decide where you want to play."

The Sharks finished one point ahead of the Red Wings, giving them home-ice advantage. But Detroit had the second-best road record in the NHL (26-11-4) and is healthy and well-rested, unlike last spring, when it had to start the second round after just one day off following a seven-game series against Phoenix.

"The teams are pretty similar," Stuart said. "Who’s going to execute better, who’s going to impose their will on the other team is going to be the difference."