To counter Detroit's powerful line of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, Stars coach Dave Tippett turned to a trio that played together two years ago – in Iowa.

Loui Eriksson, Joel Lundqvist and Toby Petersen hardly looked overmatched against one of the NHL's most feared lines. Rather, they matched Detroit's high scoring group, scoring one goal and allowing one.

With his team facing elimination, Tippett wasn't really looking for chemistry when he tinkered with his lines. He needed a spark more than anything, which is exactly what he got from Eriksson, Lundqvist and Petersen. They spent some time on the same line with the Stars' minor-league affiliate, Iowa, in the AHL playoffs two years ago.

"It was mentioned that they had played together, but I don't think they played against Zetterberg and Datsyuk," Tippett said, smiling. "With the injuries we have, we're trying to give ourselves a chance with a little extra offense. There's less guys available so you've got to clump them together."

Despite their inexperience, Eriksson, Lundqvist and Petersen are fast skaters. That made them prime candidates to go against Detroit's top line.

Eriksson supplied the catalyst the Stars direly needed when he opened the scoring with 23 second left in the first period. He crashed the net, hoping to screen goalie Chris Osgood when Stephane Robidas blasted a shot from the point.

The puck went through traffic and appeared to bounce over Osgood as Eriksson crowded the crease. He got his stick on the puck just before it crossed the line.

"I saw [Robidas] was trying to take a shot, so I was just trying to stay in front and then it hit me and went in," Eriksson said. "It's nice to get the first goal. You get more confidence and can play the game the way you want to. We needed that."

Eriksson and Lundqvist have been steady contributors. Eriksson contributing 14 goals in the regular season, and Lundqvist had three. Peterson didn't make his Stars debut until March 5. But they were happy to take on Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom.

"It's one of the best lines in the NHL," Eriksson said. "You have to stay really tight on them and don't give them too many chances. We tried to keep them outside and work hard against them."