DET vs DAL

DALLAS - The Detroit Red Wings showed Monday why they will definitely be a handful for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Detroit listed a number of issues before Game 6 against the Dallas Stars, and then went out and executed every one.

Go to the net on Stars goalie Marty Turco, and make him deal with a ton of traffic (the Wings' first three goals came just feet away from Turco as Detroit established a 3-0 lead in the first period).
Spread the scoring throughout the lineup (Kris Draper and Dallas Drake scored early, and made it clear to Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk that they had plenty of help).

Get the special teams going (Datsyuk scored on the power play and Zetterberg scored short-handed as they helped control the pace of the game and kept Dallas from mounting a comeback).

The machine-like efficiency reminded the Red Wings that they are something special this season - that there's a reason this team has advanced to the Finals for the first time since 2002 when other Detroit squads have fallen short.

"It's a great feeling being back, going to the finals again, and getting a chance to play for the Cup,'' said veteran defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom. "It's a great feeling right now, especially after the way we lost the last couple of games, to find the way to win on the road again."

Three of Detroit's playoff losses have come on the road this season, and Dallas was hoping to become only the sixth team in NHL history to force a Game 7 when trailing a series 0-3. But while the Stars were living on hope and desperation, the Red Wings marched into Dallas and made things happen.

"They're a very good hockey team. Let's not kid ourselves," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "They were the Presidents' Trophy winner for a reason. I really believe the 82 games you play in regular season, what it does is it earns you the right to be a playoff team, but it reiterates that you're playoff-worthy. When you're at the top of that group, you've obviously done something over those 82 games that has been very good.''

Franzen still day-to-day with concussion-like symptoms

Detroit's Johan Franzen is getting closer to returning and considered flying with the team to Dallas. Franzen, who is the leading goal-scorer in the playoffs, has been out since Game 1 with concussion-like symptoms.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock said he will be interested in talking to Franzen when the team returns home.

"We believed that if we could win this round without the Mule, he'd be back for the next round," Babcock said. "He played 10 days with this, you know, so you'd like him to be back. He'll be checked out. If he can go, he'll play. We'd sure love to have him obviously. He's a huge part of our team."

Red Wings GM Ken Holland said the Franzen situation has highlighted one of his key concerns - reporting injuries in the playoffs. Holland told The Detroit Free Press he wants to talk to the other GMs this summer and see if they will consider a plan that allows teams to hide all injuries during the playoffs.

"All I know is, players in our sport are playing hurt," Holland said. "When you're talking about so much money, I don't know that either team wants every team to know about every little `owie' that we've got on our team."

Drake makes things happen for first trip

It's been 19 years since the Detroit Red Wings drafted Dallas Drake out of Northern Michigan University - and that was long enough to wait for a chance to go to the Stanley Cup Finals, Drake said.

The feisty forward who has made a tour of the league and ended up back with his original team, had a goal and an assist and was named first star in Game 6.

"It's a huge thrill for me to get a chance to play in the Stanley Cup,'' Drake said. "I've played 16 years now. I've never even gotten close to having an opportunity. I'm just real grateful. Play for a great team, great organization. Couldn't be more thankful right now than I am."

So what was the key for Drake?

"I sat closer to [Henrik] Zetterberg tonight. I made the trainers put me a couple seats down, and I hoped it would rub off," Drake said.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock said Drake is a great example for his team. Yes, they are the Red Wings, and yes, they have a history of success (this is the 23rd trip to the Finals for the franchise), but any trip to the Finals is a rare opportunity.

"That's what the kids on our team have got to understand, is you can play in this league for a long time and never get this opportunity," Babcock said. "He's been in a long time. He's been a real good player, played hard, done good things. I couldn't be more thrilled for him."

Osgood sets franchise record for playoff wins

Chris Osgood became the Wings' all-time leader with 48 career playoff victories, passing Terry Sawchuk. Osgood is now 10-2 in the playoffs this season.

"It was a special night," Osgood said. "But mainly that we got our team back to the Stanley Cup finals, that's the most important thing."

Morrow earns new level of respect

Stars captain Brenden Morrow had a break-through season in the playoffs, and Stars coach Dave Tippett said Morrow did that with significant shoulder and leg injuries.

"Brenden hasn't been the same since the last San Jose game. He's basically played on one leg since then," Tippett said. "The shoulder injury, I'm not sure where that's going to get to, but there's a small tear in his shoulder."

"That's the grind of the playoffs,'' Tippett said. "It is so hard. Like I say, the commitment that these players put forth is just phenomenal. Until you've been in that dressing room, seeing guys that after a game, they have a hard time moving their leg or moving their elbow, their shoulder doesn't work, and the next day they show up and say, `When do we play again?' That's what makes our game great."

Said Detroit coach Mike Babcock: "Brenden Morrow to me is what you want leading your team."
Morrow said he believes the team took a big step this season.

"We came a long way this year, but this wasn't our ultimate goal," Morrow said. "We did make some progress. We put a lot of work into this and want to do it again. This will make us hungrier."