SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Detroit Red Wings don't need to be told the value of finishing off a playoff opponent as quickly as possible: more rest between series, additional time to heal injuries, less wear and tear from travel.

Last year the Phoenix Coyotes extended the Red Wings to seven games, forcing them to make three trips out West, resulting in only one day off before the second round against San Jose.

"Kind of remember last year," the Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk said. "We had Game 7 here; take lots of time, lots of travel, take our energy away."

That is why Detroit is determined to end this Western Conference quarterfinal series tonight in Game 4 at Jobing.com Arena.

"The guys that have been here understand," coach Mike Babcock said. "We were in this situation against Dallas (2008 conference finals) and had to go into Dallas and win a Game 6 to clinch the series. You just never want to let your foot off the gas. The other thing is, why would you play more games than you have to?"

This might be the final game for the Phoenix franchise. The ownership situation is unsettled amid reports the club might relocate back to Winnipeg. Ironically, the Red Wings eliminated Winnipeg in the first round of the 1996 playoffs in the Jets' final season before moving to Phoenix.

It could be an emotional night for players and fans. And the Red Wings anticipate facing a fired up team.

"You want to give them as little hope as possible, as little life as possible," Detroit's Niklas Kronwall said. "If we can come out with good push it's something we'd like to do, try to take the edge out right away."

Defenseman Brad Stuart expects the Coyotes to play their best game. But his team has plenty of motivation, too.

"It's tough to play a seven-game series and jump right into another series, even emotionally a little bit," Stuart said. "If you can get that little bit of a buffer in between, get some days off, just re-energize, that's huge."

The Red Wings have scored four goals in each of the first three games and haven't allowed an even-strength goal since Game 1. But Babcock sees plenty of room for improvement.

"We didn't play near as well (in Game 3) as we did the first two games," Babcock said. "They came through the neutral zone too easy. We weren't as good in our own zone as we need to be. So we have to get those things better and then everything will look after itself."

Red Wings have Bryzgalov's number

Phoenix goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is 3-7 with a 3.23 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage in 11 career playoff appearances against the Red Wings.

He is 9-5 with a 1.61 GAA and a .939 save percentage against all other teams in the playoffs.

Bryzgalov has allowed four goals in each game of this series. Detroit has won 56 consecutive playoff games when scoring four or more goals.

"In talking to (goaltending coach) Sean Burke this morning he thinks (Bryzgalov) is trying too hard on some stuff," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "Like the rest of us we just have to relax a little bit and give every drop of energy we have and make it be constructive, smart energy."

Said Bryzgalov: "I'm wondering 'How can this happen?' We expected it to be different, not down 3-0. I just want to win one game. That's what I want."



Odds & ends

-- Datsyuk and Johan Franzen did not practice Tuesday, but Babcock said both will play in Game 4. Franzen has been bothered by a sore left ankle. Datsyuk also didn't participate in Monday's gameday skate.

-- Henrik Zetterberg (sprained left knee) practiced in Datsyuk's spot on Tuesday and is getting closer to returning but won't play in Game 4.

"It looks to me he should be ready to go in the not-too-distant future," Babcock said. "We're in a good situation right now that we can give him time."

-- Only three teams have come back from an 0-3 deficit to win a series. But it happened last year, when Philadelphia did it against Boston.

"It's definitely been talked about, but I don't think you want to get caught up in thinking about something like that," Phoenix captain Shane Doan said. "We just want to win a period, then win a game a see what happens."

-- Datsyuk expects Phoenix to be physical again.

"When a team plays at home they're more aggressive, more physical," Datsyuk said. "When the crowd's cheering for them it gives them more energy."