2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Blog - Conference Finals

With a team-leading 10 goals, you’d certainly count Johan Franzen among the good hands people, even if the insurance business doesn’t interest him.

He only likes to score important goals.

Franzen’s goal Sunday in the last minute of the first period of Game 4 of the Western Conference final gave the Detroit Red Wings a 2-0 lead en route to their 6-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, which moved the Wings into a commanding 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series.

It was Franzen’s second game-winner of the playoffs and of his 10 goals, seven have either tied the game or given Detroit the lead.

“I try to get goals when we need them,” Franzen said. “When we’re up 4-0, I’m not looking for the fifth. I don’t like scoring that much.

“I like to score when the game’s on the line and we need a goal.”

Franzen has tallied 23 goals in his last 31 Stanley Cup games.

“I try to be as even as I can,” Franzen said. “I’m not that streaky like a lot of goal scorers are.”

Injury updates

Both teams held optional skates Monday and took time to assess the wounded.

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood was feeling fine, one day after dehydration forced him to miss the third period of Game 4.

“I was cramping up a bit (in the second period),” Osgood said. “I came off, we did an IV and the doctor just said I wasn’t going back in. He made the decision.

“It’s never happened before. It wasn’t a big deal. It was a good time for it to happen at that point. If it had been a closer game, I would have stayed in for sure.”

The Wings confirmed that centre Kris Draper (groin) wouldn’t be playing in Game 5 Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena, but seemed optimistic that defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom (lower body) and centre Pavel Datsyuk (foot) would be able to answer the bell.

“Datsyuk and Lidstrom are day-to-day,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “I’m hopeful to see Pav and Nick very shortly here.”

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks indicated that forward Martin Havlat, who was left unconsciousness in Game 3 after absorbing a first-period hit from Detroit’s Niklas Kronwall and who left Game 4 when hit again by Detroit defenceman Brad Stuart, would try and skate at Tuesday’s practice and his status for Game 5 would be assessed afterward.

“I think he was doing good after the game,” Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. “We'll see how he presents (Tuesday), whether he skates or not going into Wednesday's game.”

Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, who left Game 3 with a lower-body injury, will also be re-evaluated Tuesday.

“We'll see how he is,” Quenneville said. “We'll get an idea after, whether he can get on the ice or not. That will give us an idea if there’s a chance for Wednesday.”

Learning curve

The Blackhawks admitted that they lost their composure in Game 4 and it cost them dearly.

“It was a tough night,” Chicago centre Samuel Pahlsson said. “We didn’t play good, we didn't handle it well. We just have to focus now and try to put that behind us, get ready for the next game and make sure we do it right in that game.”

Quenneville, who was outraged at the roughing penalty called on Blackhawks defenceman Matt Walker at the end of the first period which led to a Detroit power-play goal and a 3-0 Wings lead, recognized that his team must handle themselves better in Game 5.

“You just have to make sure you’re using your energy doing the right thing out there,” Quenneville said. “We didn't do that. I think we got carried away.

“I think we can learn from that, too and maybe can channel that energy in right direction the next game.”

Nik knocks

One of the NHL’s most punishing open-ice bodycheckers, Kronwall admits that among his most treasured Christmas presents as a child was a copy of one of Don Cherry’s Rock ’Em, Sock ’Em videos.

Kronwall, who received an interference major and game misconduct for his Game 3 hit on Havlat, admitted he likes delivering an devastating check as much as he does registering a goal.

“Scoring a big goal is something you always want to do, but I think a lot of times, a big hit can give you more boost than anything else,” Kronwall said.

Some of Kronwall’s teammates who played against him in the Swedish Elite League are happy they’re no longer in his bombsights.

“I had some close calls in Sweden with him,” Wings centre Henrik Zetterberg said. “He just has good timing and he knows when to step up. I'm glad he's on my side.”

Babcock believes Kronwall intimidates the opposition.

“They know he’s out there,” Babcock said of Kronwall’s physical presence. “No one likes getting hit like that.”

Tuned out

Hockey fans in the United States aren’t the only ones struggling to find the Stanley Cup playoffs on their televisions.

The Wings found themselves in the same boat while staying in Chicago when seeking to watch the Eastern Conference final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes.

“I haven’t even seen a game yet,” Osgood said. “The hotel we were in doesn’t have Versus.

“I saw a bit of the last game in a restaurant from a distance, but that was it. I put it on my phone live and try to get the updates as it goes along.

“I haven’t seen them, but I’ve read about them on my phone.”

Scoring change

Detroit’s second goal in Game 3 of the series, originally credited to Brian Rafalski, has been changed and awarded to Dan Cleary.

The switch gave Cleary goals in four straight games, but that streak came to a halt in Sunday’s contest.