Scoring: 1. Detroit, Datsyuk 6 (Zetterberg, Rafalski) 9:27; 2. Dallas, Grossman 1 (Modano, Morrow) 15:13; 3. Detroit, Datsyuk 7 (Holmstrom, Rafalski) 15:50.

Penalties: Kronwall, Det. (hooking) 1:33; Niskanen, Dal. (holding) 7:37; Hudler, Det. (hooking) 7:59; Hagman, Dal. (roughing) 16:14; Maltby, Det. (interference) 20:00.

Replay: The Red Wings took advantage of a Sergei Zubov giveaway. Pavel Datsyuk ripped a backhand that hit the post and went into the net. The Stars briefly forged a tie after an extended grinding shift by the new top line of Mike Ribeiro, Brenden Morrow and Mike Modano. Defenseman Nicklas Grossman pinched down, took a cross-ice backhand feed from Modano and scored. The tie lasted 37 seconds before Datsyuk struck again.

Strong start, weak finish: The Stars controlled the first 10 minutes, getting the game's first five shots. The Red Wings closed with seven of the final nine shots, including two goals.

Not in the box score: The Stars' first goal came despite the best efforts of Detroit coach Mike Babcock. After an icing call against the Red Wings, Babcock used his only timeout to rest his weary defenders. It still didn't slow the Stars' top line.

Detroit: 7 shots, 2 goals

Dallas: 7 shots; 1 goal

Scoring: 4. Dallas, Richards 3 (Eriksson, Lundqvist) 3:47; 5. Detroit, Hudler 3 (Kronwall, McCarty) 11:54.

Penalties: Samuelsson, Det. (cross checking) 12:31.

Replay: Brad Richards got a fortunate bounce for his third playoff goal. His cross-ice pass for Joel Lundqvist at the Detroit goal deflected off Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart and past goaltender Chris Osgood. Detroit responded when Jiri Hudler lofted a backhand over Marty Turco on a breakaway.

Hit men: The Stars were credited with 18 hits to just six for Detroit.

Not in the box score: A major defensive mix-up led to Jiri Hudler's breakaway. Stars defenseman Matt Niskanen was ending his shift, and Trevor Daley was coming onto the ice for a change, which let Hudler get open just outside the Dallas blue line. Defenseman Stephane Robidas was unable to get to Hudler in time.

Detroit: 7 shots, 1 goal

Dallas: 6 shots, 1 goal

Scoring: 6. Detroit, Zetterberg 9 (unassisted) 1:38 (sh); 7. Detroit, Datsyuk 8 (Zetterberg) 17:19.

Penalties: Holmstrom, Det. (goalie interference) 0:18; Winchester, Dal. (roughing) 19:12; Hagman, Dal. (slashing) 20:00.

Replay: Henrik Zetterberg's short-handed goal gave Detroit a two-goal lead. He carried the puck up ice, turned Brad Richards around and scored on Marty Turco. Later, Zetterberg forced a turnover deep in the Stars' zone and fed Pavel Datsyuk for a hat trick.

Comeback hopes?: Only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1975 New York Islanders have ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-7 NHL playoff series. But Toronto's comeback came against Detroit in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Not in the box score: The Stars' frustration might have been personified by captain Brenden Morrow. He lined up Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart for a hard hit midway through the period, missed and struck the end boards. He briefly left for the locker room before returning.

Detroit: 7 shots, 2 goals

Dallas: 5 shots, 0 goals

What happened: The two combatants in Game 2 had few head-to-head meetings, and neither was really a key to the result of Game 3. Ribeiro struggled to create anything, and Osgood was just good in net.

The edge: Osgood came up with a big save on Ribeiro in the third period, so he gets the edge in this one. Oh yeah, and his team is up 3-0 in the series, too.

Mike Heika

Selected by Staff Writer Mike Heika:

1. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit: Three goals ... and he was even better defensively.

2. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit: His short-handed goal buried the Stars and his two assists were nice, too.

3. Brian Rafalski, Detroit: Underrated "second best" defenseman was best on this night.

43%: Stars face-offs won, best of series

3: Hat tricks by Red Wings in playoffs

1 for 15: Stars' power play in series

6: Goals by Pavel Datsyuk in seven total games vs. Stars in 2007-08