Scoring: 1. Detroit, Helm 1 (Hudler) 5:56; 2. Dallas, Robidas 2 (Ribeiro, Lehtinen) 10:41 (pp); 3. Detroit, Zetterberg 8 (Datsyuk, Holmstrom) 15:13 (pp).

Penalties: Lidstrom, Det. (delay of game) 10:27; Zubov, Dal. (hooking) 14:49.

Rookie Darren Helm gave Detroit a 1-0 lead, taking a pass from Jiri Hudler on the rush and beating Marty Turco from the left circle. The Stars forged a tie after a delay-of-game penalty against Nicklas Lidstrom. Stephane Robidas scored from the left circle on a one-timer, with help from a Brenden Morrow screen on Chris Osgood. The tie was short-lived. Marty Turco appeared to be distracted by Tomas Holmstrom during a power play, and Henrik Zetterberg scored from the high slot.

The Stars had two great scoring chances and failed to record a shot on goal. Steve Ott fired wide on a 4-on-1. Later Niklas Hagman was wide again on a semi-breakaway.

The Red Wings saw an apparent Pavel Datsyuk goal waved off at 12:26. Henrik Zetterberg was whistled for a hand pass.

Dallas: 4 shots, 1 goal

Detroit: 12 shots, 2 goals

Scoring: none.

Penalties: Zetterberg, Det. (tripping) 2:08; Chelios, Det. (holding) 6:44; Richards, Dal. (holding) 9:57; Turco, Dal. (slashing) 11:45; Modano, Dal. (cross checking) 13:50; Holmstrom, Det. (diving) 13:50; Chelios, Det. (high sticking) 17:32.

No scoring

In a sharp contrast from the first period, the two combined for more than 10 minutes of power-play time. The Stars spent 7:13 with the man-advantage but couldn't score despite several prime opportunities. Mike Modano was wide on a one-timer with an apparent open sliver of net available. Mike Ribeiro split the Detroit defense and then shot into the gut of Chris Osgood.

Marty Turco may be a little testy about Red Wings in his crease after Game 1. He stealthily tripped Valtteri Filppula near the Dallas goal, sending him to the ice and avoiding a penalty in the process.

Dallas: 8 shots, 0 goals

Detroit: 9 shots, 0 goals

Scoring: none.

Penalties: Niskanen, Dal. (interference) 8:43; Morrow, Dal. (holding) 19:42, Ott, Dal. (roughing, 10-minute misconduct) 19:55; Ribeiro, Dal. (match penalty) 20:00.

No scoring

Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood, criticized for allowing soft goals early in his career, made two big saves early in the period. He smothered a Mike Ribeiro shot between his pads. And he got a piece of a spinning backhand by Mike Modano at the net to preserve a one-goal lead.

Marty Turco began to challenge Red Wings' crease-crasher Tomas Holmstrom more. On one sequence, he punched Holmstrom in the back of helmet before falling backward and knocking the net off its moorings.

Dallas: 6 shots, 0 goals

Detroit: 13 shots, 0 goals

Selected by staff writer Mike Heika

1. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit: Scores game-winner and is masterful in face-off circle and with puck.

2. Chris Osgood, Detroit: He was there when the Red Wings needed him.

3. Marty Turco, Stars: Despite early bad goal, he kept Stars in the game.

The battle never materialized as Morrow spent most of the night out against Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski. Detroit's skill and lack of hitting seems to take energy out of Morrow's game, although he did crunch Jere Lehtinen with an accidental head butt.

Neither player was off-the-charts good, but they had their moments. Kronwall probably gets the edge for helping to keep the Stars away from the net and for the fact that his team once again looked dominant.

Brenden Morrow: 22:31 ice time, 1 assist, 0 shots

Niklas Kronwall: 21:44 ice time, +1 plus-minus, 0 shots

Mike Heika

105: Minutes that Detroit has held the lead through first 120 minutes of series

8: Straight wins for Detroit's Chris Osgood since replacing Dominik Hasek in first round

71: Percent of face-off wins for Detroit in Game 2, up from dominant 63% in Game 1