Legless Dallas Falls in Game 1

If Game 1 is going to be the barometer of the series, then this one isn't going to last very long. Despite having a few days off after the marathon series clinching game against San Jose, the Stars still didn't look quite rested and ready for the Red Wings. The Red Wings dominated the better part of the game, except for about five minutes when the Stars scored to make it 4-1, which turned out to be the final. The Red Wings, a lot more rested than Dallas, came out and shook off the rust in the first few minutes, capped off with a 5-on-3 power play that Brian Rafalski (Box 9) capitalized on.

Thanks to the Dallas Stars goal, another bonus point was shamelessly taken away by Johan Franzen (non-pool). His 12th goal of the playoffs and his 4th game winner was the eventual difference in the game and remains the best player not in the playoff pool, which I am crudely reminded of by all the Detroit Red Wings fans in the pool.

Franzen isn't the only one taking points away from the pool... Chris Osgood (non-pool), who had taken over for Dominik Hasek in Game 2 of the first round, continues to post the wins for the Red Wings, which has taken valuable points away from pool teams.

So, with no game-winner and no goaltending win, the best players in the game that actually posted points for the pool were Tomas Holmstrom (Box 3), Nicklas Lidstrom (Box 8) and Niklas Kronwall (Box 10). Each of them had a pair of points in the win.

Stars defenseman Matt Niskanen (Box 10) remains a healthy scratch for the Dallas Stars as they play the high powered Wings. Niskanen couldn't figure into the line-up, as they have decided to go with Mark Fistric (non-pool) instead.

Game 2 of the series will go on Saturday night at 5pm on CBC. The game should be a little bit more of a contest, now that the Stars have been given a big wake-up call on Thursday night. There is no reason why the Stars couldn't come back and make it a series.