NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL 2008

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Western Conference Final

Preview:
Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars

by Josh Brewster
May 8, 2008

(1) DETROIT
LAST CUP: 2002

(5) DALLAS
LAST CUP: 1999

The Wings have been stellar, sweeping a depleted Avs team after surviving a rough ride from the resilient Nashville Predators.

But in the Western Converence Final, the Wings run into a Dallas club that will bring the game to them, not the other way around.

Can Detroit raise its game? Can Dallas keep its torrid pace?

DETROIT: JOHAN FRANZEN

The Wings' success in the postlockout age is a direct result of shrewd drafting and development, mixed with a surprising level of loyalty to veterans. Between the organization's hanging on to Tomas Holmstrom, Nick Lidstrom, Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, and reclamations of Darren McCarty and Chris Osgood, it's as obvious as ever that consistency and loyalty are preeminent qualities of the Ilitch Family ownership era. The club is being repaid hands over fist for its refusal to deal away key players and its marvelous development of its prospects. Johan Franzen represents the keen eye of the Wings' brass.

JOHAN FRANZEN, the story of the playoffs for the Wings, was drafted in 2004 as a 25 year-old, third round pick. Franzen's career began with Linkopings of the Swedish Elite League. He managed three goals in 18 playoff games last season for Detroit, one in six games the year previous.

Nothing, however, prepared the hockey world for the torrid pace at which Franzen would attack this season's playoffs.

Eleven goals in ten playoff games. Shorthanded twice, power play four times, with four game winners and 47 shots on goal. In the four game sweep of the Avalanche, three of the game winners were scored by Franzen.

"The Mule," is what Steve Yzerman called him. With production like this, who would argue?

DALLAS: BRENDEN MORROW

BRENDEN MORROW has been the engine around which the Stars run, and he's spearheaded an impressive, desperate, hungry, tenacious and powerful effort (insert your superlatives here) through two rounds.

Morrow is the kind of player who would relish a checking line role, and at a sturdy 5'11", 205, the 28 year-old Stars Captain brings defensive responsibility, toughness and smarts to his top line assignment. It's been a lethal combination, his pairing with Mike Ribiero and Jere Lehtinen. They've generated 14 goals and 33 points, with four goals coming on the power play.

Morrow also serves on the club's top penalty killing unit. The Stars are clicking at an 85.7% success rate. He's on the power play, too, and there, Dallas smoked the Ducks and Avs at 25%.

"Our desperation level is really good, very high right now," Morrow told this reporter during the Ducks series.

The club plays that way, following its captain, who's embracing his responsibilities big time. It's Morrow's time to lead his troops, and wasn't it Mike Modano embracing him after that huge 4 OT goal? The Stars love Morrow, his attitude and his leadership.

If they continue to play the way Morrow plays, they may upset the President's Trophy winning Wings.

GOALTENDING: DETROIT

In goal, it's an embarrassment of riches. Chris Osgood took over for Dominik Hasek late in round one against Nashville, looked cool and collected. Should the club need to turn to Hasek, well, that's quite a backup.

GOALTENDING: DALLAS

If Marty Turco's performance in the 4OT classic in game six against San Jose didn't silence his critics, then the critics should turn in their credentials.

Over the past two seasons, Turco has been as good as any goaltender in the playoffs. With a Stars club that can generate goals better than any in the previous four or five years, it's Turco's time to lead the Stars to the promised land.

FORWARDS: DETROIT

The young guns are now the veterans as Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg lead the forward ranks for the Wings. Like Morrow of Dallas, they've risen to the challenge, Datsyuk with five goals; Zetterberg, seven, including two shorthanded. Zetterberg is 28, Datsyuk, 29. Both are nominated for the Selke for their defensive prowess, not to mention their tremendous offensive upside.

Three more "newer" Wings, Jiri Hudler, Mikael Samuelsson and Valteri Filppula have all contributed two goals apiece. Kris Draper and Tomas Holmstrom also have two, representing the older guys (who once won Detroit Cups when they were "newer" guys).

Darren McCarty is a fourth line wild card who's scored huge playoff goals for the Wings, and he must be accounted for by the Stars.

Dallas will be hard pressed to stop Detroit's forwards, but can point to an excellent round against a dangerous Shark club as a launching point for the conference final.

FORWARDS: DALLAS

Morrow, plus Mike Ribiero and Jere Lehtinen (see above) have come through as one of the most potent combinations in this year's playoffs, having dominated two good checking lines in Anaheim and San Jose.

Brad Richards had some of the freshest legs in the 4OT classic and that's part of the bang for the buck the Stars receive for their acquisition of $7.8M worth of hockey player. Richards scored two goals--both even strength--this postseason as well as nine assists and 38 shots on goal in twelve games. Loui Eriksson (3-3-6) has benefited from his new linemate's presence.

Mike Modano (4-6-10) has been a revelation at checking line center, and as surely as current captain Morrow has brutalized opposing checking lines, former captain Modano has made life difficult for Joe Thornton and Ryan Getzlaf alike. No small order for an "old man" like Modano. Linemates Steve Ott and Stu Barnes have both kicked in two goals apiece.

DEFENSE: DETROIT

Over two rounds, Nick Lidstrom and defense partner Brian Rafalski have continued their tremendous play into the postseason. Both are contributing huge minutes (Lidstrom, 25:32; Rafalski, 23:47) and have kicked in three goals and eleven assists for 14 points in the postseason, and each is a +7.

Chris Chelios missed game four against the Avs, but will likely return.

27 year-old Nik Kronvall, long a favorite of Coach Mike Babcock, is pulling 22:39 TOI while the coach shortens the bench substantially for the Wings. Kronvall, with Chelios and Brad Stuart, represent the top five, or even top four, defensemen upon which Babcock will rely. Andreas Lilja and Brett Lebda will get the fill-in minutes.

DEFENSE: DALLAS

Although not quite as flashy as the Wings' defense, the Stars' D can put the puck in the net, and can get some shots through traffic.

Mattias Norstrom, who scored the overtime game winner in game three, a goal that is easily the biggest of the series other than Morrow's clincher. Sergei Zubov (1-3-4) came roaring back from injury and assisted on some big goals. Stephane Robidas (1-7-8), who put eight shots on goal in one game against the Ducks and has a total of 31 this postseason.

Rookies Nik Grossman and Matt Niskanen are playing like anything but, playing hard on the puck and sticking nicely to the shutdown game. Fourth year pro Trevor Daley has used his speed throughout the postseason to raise his game after an already excellent regular season.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

DETROIT: 20.4% PP / 85.4% PK
DALLAS: 25.0% PP / 85.7% PK

PREDICTION:

Dallas will be the first postseason opponent who will make the Wings scratch their heads and wonder whether they "have it." It's just that type of thing with this well-coached Stars club. They have a tendency to get into the opposition's head this postseason. It's desperation, simple and as complicated as that. The Stars have been far hungrier than their opponents. The Ducks never woke up. The Sharks, not until late in game three. Detroit should set its alarm for the puck drop, game one.

Dallas in 6

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