[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Henrik Zetterberg scored a few highlight reel goals against Colorado. Can he do the same against Dallas? (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Henrik Zetterberg scored a few highlight reel goals against Colorado. Can he do the same against Dallas? (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Backgrounder

The Third Round

Hockey Night In Canada analyst Scott Morrison breaks down the Western Conference final

Last Updated Mon., May 5, 2008

Scott Morrison, CBC Sports

DETROIT (1) vs. DALLAS (5)

RED WINGS
STRENGTHS - They are well rested, healthy and have so many weapons. Their best players haven't had to be their best players night in-night out, to prevail. In addition to the likes of Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Lidstrom, who have been terrific, they have been getting great efforts from the supporting cast, especially Johan Franzen, who had nine goals in the four-game spanking of the Colorado Avalanche. Four were on the power play, three were even strength and two were shorthanded, making him an equal opportunity threat.

WEAKNESSES - The goaltending has been good, not great. But then it hasn't had to be and Chris Osgood has found a way to get the job done. Not many cracks in this lineup, but if not a weakness, then there is a question as to whether this team has been tested yet. They were ordinary to start against a Nashville team playing on fumes, but got much better and easily won. Then they steam rolled over a Colorado side that was missing five of its top nine forwards and a Cinderella goaltender who saw midnight. So, the question is how good are the Wings right now?

KEY PLAYER - Henrik Zetterberg. He scored a few highlight reel goals against the Avs, but now is the time for the big line to take charge.

Marty Turco will have to be at his best if the Stars jave any chance against the Red Wings. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Marty Turco will have to be at his best if the Stars jave any chance against the Red Wings. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

STARS
STRENGTHS - Confidence. They got a monkey off their backs by winning the first round, then another by not choking on a lead in round two against San Jose. Marty Turco has been great in goal. Brenden Morrow has been a force up front and virtually everyone is playing well and with enthusiasm. They are a team firing on all cylinders. Now, they did appear rattled at times against the Sharks, surrendering a couple of leads and making life difficult, but they ultimately found a way to win, which is key.

WEAKNESSES - Those blown leads are a concern. Closing the deal is important, especially against a team like Detroit. At times the Stars appeared to sit on leads, to lose the aggressiveness that got them leads in the first place. Worth remembering, is they have knocked off two of the best teams in the west, Anaheim and San Jose, in convincing fashion so as long as the scoring holds up.

KEY PLAYER - Marty Turco. He has proven he is a big-time player and will have to be at his best to survive the third round.

Go to the Top

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Honduras prison fire kills hundreds video
A fire started by an inmate tore through a severely overcrowded Honduran prison, burning and suffocating inmates in their locked cells and killing as many as 356 people in one of the world's deadliest prison fires in a century, authorities said Wednesday.
Syria's Assad calls for vote but steps up assault video
As Syrian forces stepped up their assault on rebellious cities, President Bashar al-Assad ordered a referendum on a new constitution that would create a multiparty system in a country that has been ruled by his autocratic family dynasty for 40 years.
Malnutrition kills 2 million kids a year
Five children around the world die every minute because of chronic malnutrition, according to a new report.
more »

Canada »

Tories move to curb 'bogus' refugees
The Conservative government is poised to change the refugee system yet again in an attempt to deter what it considers "bogus" claimants, CBC News has learned.
Drummond report on Ontario calls for cutbacks video
The Ontario government must curtail its spending with the kind of cuts not seen since the Mike Harris years, according to a report by former TD Bank chief economist Don Drummond.
B.C. house party trial hears from tearful teens video
Two teenagers cried as they testified at the trial of a B.C. woman who was charged after a teen died while her son was hosting a party at her house in 2008.
more »

Politics »

2 NDP MPs back final Commons vote to kill gun registry
Two NDP MPs broke party ranks to vote with the government in the final House of Commons vote on scrapping the long-gun registry.
Tories move to curb 'bogus' refugees
The Conservative government is poised to change the refugee system yet again in an attempt to deter what it considers "bogus" claimants, CBC News has learned.
Online surveillance bill could change, Harper signals video
The government says it's open to amending its bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications and get telecommunications subscriber data.
more »

Health »

Chronic fatigue may be reversed with exercise
Taking it easy is not the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, rather exercise and behaviour therapy are, a large study finds.
AT&T buys T-Mobile USA for $39B US
AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.
Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA
Scientists have compiled the first cosmic census of planets in our galaxy: at least 50 billion planets are estimated to call the Milky Way home.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

Whitney Houston funeral to be livestreamed
Whitney Houston's funeral will be livestreamed, to satisfy the desire of fans to grieve alongside family members at the Saturday memorial.
blog Hudson Bay Co. archives includes film treasure trove
A Hudson's Bay Co. collection of films from the early 20th century showing fur-trading life in the North has been transferred back to Winnipeg and is to be screened at the Archives of Manitoba.
Missing Karel Appel works found in British warehouse
More than 400 works by Dutch artist Karel Appel have been discovered in a British storage warehouse a decade after they went missing.
more »

Technology & Science »

new Swiss satellite will clean up space junk
Swiss scientists plan to launch a "janitor satellite" specially designed to get rid of space junk, the orbiting debris that can seriously damage satellites and manned space ships.
Online surveillance bill may breach privacy law, charter video audio
A new bill that would require telecommunications providers to give police subscriber information without a warrant will likely be challenged in the courts if crucial changes aren't made, critics say.
Canada's air pollution experts moved to 'other priorities'
Environment Canada has drastically cut back on its monitoring of air pollution that can cause health problems for Canadians, reassigning scientists involved in that monitoring to "other priorities."
more »

Money »

Drummond report highlights
The Drummond report on reforming Ontario's public services includes 362 recommended reforms to balance the books by 2018.
Nortel collapse linked to hacking attack audio
A former systems security adviser to Nortel Networks says he has no doubt that extensive cyber attacks on the technology company contributed to its downfall.
Competition Bureau investigating global banks
Canada's Competition Bureau is investigating allegations that certain global banks or financial brokerage firms conspired to manipulate interest rate derivatives for more than three years.
more »

Consumer Life »

Honda recalls Fit subcompacts
Honda Canada says it will recall 14,640 of its 2009 and 2010 Fit subcompact cars to replace lost motion springs.
U.S. travel fee proposal criticized by Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he doesn't think much of a new border tax that's being proposed by the United States, calling it a cash grab designed to help a budget crisis.
Bell class action suit approved by Que. court
A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action lawsuit to go ahead against Bell Mobility.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

Leafs snap 4-game skid with OT win over Oilers video
Tim Connolly scored in overtime as the Toronto Maple Leafs snapped a four-game losing skid with a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
Canucks continue dominance over Avalanche video
Jannik Hansen scored with 6:29 remaining Wednesday as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-1. The Canucks have not lost to the Avalanche since Nov. 1, 2009, posting a 13-0-2 record in that 15-game span.
Habs need dazzling deadline day to erase painful season
The Montreal Canadiens four-year playoff string is in serious jeopardy this year. The famed organization has authored quite a soap opera with injuries, firings, spats and trades this season. Is there enough in the tank to make a late-season playoff push or will deadline day be a chance to build for the future?
more »

Diversions »

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
more »