Franzen, Red Wings Draw First Blood Against Stars In West Finals

Detroit, MI (AHN) - Detroit unloaded its might right at the onset to win its seventh straight and Johan Franzen extended franchise records with another goal as the Red Wings pulled down the Dallas Stars 4-1 Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings meant business immediately, taking a 1-0 lead 4:28 into the game when Brian Rafalski found the net off an assist from Nicklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom. Then Franzen carded his 12th shot of the postseason and made team history by scoring for the fifth straight game.

Franzen's shot, the second of three power play goals for Detroit, made it 2-0, 15:34 to play in the first. The Red Wings, who dominated Nashville and Colorado in the first two rounds, weren't through yet on Stars goalie Marty Turco, pummeling the netminder with two more goals in the second period.

Holmstrom made the Red Wings 3-for-7 during power play situations with another goal 6:40 in the period before Valtteri Filppula banked a shot at the 15:37 mark for a 4-0 lead.

Dallas finally found the mark late in the period on Brendan Morrow's conversion but that was all the Stars could manage as they lost an opener for the first time in the postseason. They both crushed Anaheim and San Jose on the road in Game 1 en route to making the Western Conference finals.

Turco finished 27-of-31 while counterpart Chris Osgood went 20-of-21 in save opportunities.

Game 2 is scheduled Saturday again in Detroit.