DET vs DAL

The Red Wings announced just before Game 2 that the leading scorer in the playoffs and a serious Conn Smyth candidate in Johan Franzen will sit out because of concussion-like symptoms.

Franzen has been experiencing recurring headaches since early in the Western Conference semifinals against Colorado. The Red Wings medical staff has recommended that Franzen not play until further testing and evaluation is completed. Franzen is not scheduled to travel with the team and is scheduled for further testing on Monday.

Franzen tied a Detroit franchise record with goals in five straight playoff games and has scored 10 goals in that span.

Franzen and Holmstrom were all the talk of the morning skate before Game 2.

"How are you going to score on these goalies in the game unless you have someone in front of them?" Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "When you put someone in front of them, the other team has to make a decision. Do they box them out, take themselves out of the play? Do they front them and try to block the shot? But all you're trying to do is keep the goalie inside the paint."

Barnes still out

Stars forward Stu Barnes will miss his fifth consecutive game with concussion-like symptoms. Barnes did not skate Saturday morning and will not play in Game 2.

Stars coach Dave Tippett said the decision is up to Barnes.

"It's completely his call, and he doesn't feel right just yet,'' Tippett said.

Barnes received a hit to the head in Game 3 of the San Jose series and has not played since. He has skated hard and worked out hard, but he continues to complain of dizziness and fogginess.

His absence causes all sorts of concerns for the Dallas coaching staff.

The Stars went with the checking line of Steve Ott-Mike Modano-Barnes until Barnes was hurt and now have juggled the checking line pretty much every game. If Barnes could return, the Stars could return to more normal lines.

Babcock likes the input of role players

The Red Wings like the rotation of players they have, including strong contributions from players like Darren Helm.

"The first time I called him up, I was scared to play him and he was scared to play,'' Babcock said. "Now, he's a player that can go against anybody. He's flat out fast, he's gritty, he finishes checks. I mean, he's an NHL player.''

And Babcock said he doesn't think the current lineup has even played its best game yet.

"The big thing is we know we're going to be better," Babcock said. "We were off a little while. But we think we'll be much quicker and harder to play against. That's going to be our focus."

Ott annoying to everyone

Stars agitator Steve Ott was asked by a reporter if even his wife Candice finds him annoying.

"A lot of people come up to her and they're like, 'How can you live with that guy? He's sometimes an idiot out there on that ice.' She laughs," Ott said. "Once the door shuts, that's my domain out there. I was basically raised on the ice like everybody else here. Once I get in the big cage, if you want to call it that, that's where I become honestly a different person and have to do that to play and compete."

Linemate Modano said Ott's constant chirping can grind on the mind.

"You hear quite a bit," Modano said. "Sometimes I have to tell him to shut up because he's distracting me more than the other team."