2008 Playoffs
Final-ly Red Wings Down Stars to Head to Stanley Cup Finals
DALLAS, Texas -- In their third try, the Detroit Red Wings eliminated the Dallas Stars and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals Monday night with a 4-1 win.
After taking a 3-0 lead in the series, Detroit dropped the following two games, in which they could have finished off the Stars. In those games, the Red Wings were held to a total of two goals.
Lack of offense wouldn't be their downfall this time, as Kris Draper got Detroit on the board just 3:45 into the game. Dallas Drake fired the puck on net from the left wing corner and it came high, bouncing off of Draper's chin before dropping down and finding it's way into the net as Draper whacked at it.
A Pavel Datsyuk power play goal put Detroit up by a pair with 8:19 left in the period. Nicklas Lidstrom's long shot was stopped by Turco but Nicklas Grossman couldn't find the rebound in his skates at the edge of the crease. Datsyuk jumped up and lifted it over Turco.
Drake added a goal of his own with 3:43 left in the first, going to the top of the crease to bang the puck past Turco when Brett Lebda threw it on net from the right wing.
The Stars looked to get back into the game with a early second period power play but Henrik Zetterberg put an end to those thoughts, picking off a pass high in the Detroit zone and racing in all alone on Turco, faking him for a shorthanded goal at 3:11. It was his second shorthanded goal of the series.
Dallas finally got on the board when Stephane Robidas beat Chris Osgood on a Dallas power play at 2:27 of the third period, blasting a shot from the top of the left circle off a feed from down low by Mike Ribeiro.
Osgood stopped 28 of 29 shots against on the night, including 15 of 16 in the third period as the Stars attempted a comeback. Turco made 25 saves on 29 shots.
Each team scored once on the power play, with Detroit getting two chances with the extra attacker and Dallas having seven tries.
The Red Wings advance to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals, beginning Saturday night in Detroit.
Notes: The Red Wings were without Chris Chelios, who missed the game with a leg injury. Andreas Lilja played in his place.
User Comments
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 8:34 AM
Back at the start of the playoffs, oh so long ago, I was having hockey dreams before each game. For the first two games, I dreamt the Wings would win and then they did. Then no more dreams.
Until last night. The Wings will win tonight if my dream is to be believed. And I've got a feeling that it ends tonight. We'll see.
Posted by SYfanSD on 5/19/2008 at 12:20 PM
I have the same feeling, in fact the game opens up with a big hit by Kronner.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 2:49 PM
Killing my good feeling is the news that Chelios may sit with a leg injury. Lilja may play.
Less ominous... Hudler to the second line, Samuelsson to the third, Maltby to the fourth.
Sammy can't hit the net lately, I might have dropped him completely, kept Maltby on the third line, and thrown in Abdelkader for the hell of it. Might be nerves, though.
Posted by fitch.1918 on 5/19/2008 at 6:11 PM
I haven't gotten to nervous during this series yet, a loss tonight and I know the nerves will be at a high. Hoping that doesn't happen though, I think they can pull it off.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 8:05 PM
I'm starting to feel it again. First goal. Come on guys... Do this.
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 5/19/2008 at 8:11 PM
They have to start at a high intensity if they want to win. If they don't...
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 5/19/2008 at 8:18 PM
So there's no stupid make-up calls, and this way both teams are happy, the Wings get the goal and the Stars don't get a cross-checking penalty?
IT'S A GOAL! Very important first goal of the game. 
No Dallas leads tonight.
Let's also hope Draper is ok.
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 5/19/2008 at 8:18 PM
Yes! First goal Draper!
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 8:18 PM
DRAAAAAAAPES!
Posted by fitch.1918 on 5/19/2008 at 8:21 PM
Good to see the NHL couldn't find a reason not to count that one, come one Wings keep it up!
Posted by drwmike33 on 5/19/2008 at 8:23 PM
f*cking Right Doggy, that's good cake!
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 8:30 PM
STFU Daley, Pavs burned your ass and you grabbed on for a ride.
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 5/19/2008 at 8:35 PM
2-0, come on!
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 8:36 PM
One more and I'll be feelin' it.
Posted by drwmike33 on 5/19/2008 at 8:36 PM
2-0, come on!
helllsss yeah
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 5/19/2008 at 8:37 PM
DATSYUK! 
What a goal!
Posted by drwmike33 on 5/19/2008 at 8:38 PM
Is it just me, or does Turco have 2 helmets.... i thought his helmet was white?
Nice spear by Ott. He's such a piece of sh*t.
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 5/19/2008 at 8:42 PM
Drake! 
I like him, he's a good worker.
Good feelings abound.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 8:42 PM
Wooohooooo!!!!!
Tur-Co. Tur-Co. Tur-Co.
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 5/19/2008 at 8:43 PM
3 nil, and Drake finally scores. This is going ridiculously well.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 8:52 PM
Awful call on Filppula at the end of the period, Modano was already in the air. Ridiculously happy with that period, though.
Anyone else having problems with the site loading? Just checking.
Posted by SYfanSD on 5/19/2008 at 8:55 PM
I did a minute ago but it looks like we are back in business. 3-0, good way to start the second!
Posted by fitch.1918 on 5/19/2008 at 9:02 PM
Okay good first period, glad they killed off that powerplay at the end of the period. Could of been a momentum changer. I'm greety so I hope we get the next one too.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 9:08 PM
Stupid penalty by McCarty. Ugh.
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 5/19/2008 at 9:10 PM
Anyone else having problems with the site loading? Just checking.
Really lagging for me, but it's manageable. Let's get tree more in the second!
Zetterberg on a breakaway with a shorthanded goal! Awesome!
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 9:10 PM
Shorthanded goal! Zata!
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 5/19/2008 at 9:12 PM
Great move by Zetterberg. 4 bloody nil!
Posted by SYfanSD on 5/19/2008 at 9:14 PM
SHORTY!!!
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 5/19/2008 at 9:23 PM
The penalty killing has been immense. Hope it continues in this one.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 9:39 PM
Shot hits Turco in the head. Olczyk: "It was a hollow kind of sound."
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 10:00 PM
Morrow roughs up Lidstrom on the PP, no call, Stars go on to score. Convenient.
Posted by drwmike33 on 5/19/2008 at 10:01 PM
Morrow is such a bitch.
Lidstrom better be ok.
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 5/19/2008 at 10:02 PM
Morrow roughs up Lidstrom on the PP, no call, Stars go on to score. Convenient.
Why do the officials hate the Red Wings? I still can't figure it out. =/
And finally the Dallas crowd is alive again, I thought they all left or something. & I like Dr. Fil taking shots, let's get him a goal!
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 5/19/2008 at 10:03 PM
Just don't let them gain momentum please.
Let's hope Lidstrom's fine.
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 10:03 PM
Damnit, Sammy! Blown 2-on-0.
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 5/19/2008 at 10:09 PM
HALLELUJAH!, Lidstrom's ok!
Posted by drwmike33 on 5/19/2008 at 10:13 PM
More behind the scenes discrimination against the Redwings.
NHL hockey=WF Wrestling? Wow.... just htinking that might be a possibility makes me sick
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 10:19 PM
Osgood comes up huge on Hagman!
Posted by Mathieu_Datsyuk132351 on 5/19/2008 at 10:25 PM
....What happened to Filppula? ): ): ): ):
Well, I'm guessing he's better now, considering he was just out.
AND HERE COME THE FINALS!
Posted by YzerFan19 on 5/19/2008 at 10:27 PM
And the Red Wings are going to the Finals!!
Woooooohoooooooo!!!!!
Posted by Britishwingsfan on 5/19/2008 at 10:30 PM
YEEEEEAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! C'MON!
Posted by Johnny Polaris on 5/20/2008 at 7:35 AM
Sweet!!! My game puck goes to Drake on sheer tenacity. I'd give one to Draper, but looks like he already has one in his mouth. Poor guy, like his face aint messed up enough.
Heres to Clark's hockey dreams. I'll forego my college twins hot tub dream scheduled for friday night, and see if we can all get in on a group Wings dream. ... Do we still want the hot tub?
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