Thursday June 11 7:30pm
DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings try to move a step closer to capturing their second consecutive Stanley Cup tonight when they take on the Washington Capitals in Game 2 at Joe Louis Arena.
Tomas Holmstrom set up two goals in a 2:14 span of the first period Tuesday, and the Red Wings held on to take the opener of the Stanley Cup Finals by limiting the Capitals to 17 shots in a 2-1 victory.
Tuesday's victory extended Detroit's unbeaten streak against the Capitals to eight games (7-0-1). Washington has not beaten the Red Wings since Jan. 30, 1994, and has not won in Detroit since Nov. 30, 1992.
Since the Stanley Cup Finals switched to a best-of-seven format in 1939, the team winning Game 1 has gone on to win the series nearly 80 percent of the time (47-of-59). Of the 12 teams who lost Game 1 and went on to win the Cup, six dropped the opener at home and six dropped the opener on the road.
Detroit is trying to become the first repeat champion since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991-92. The Wings won back-to-back titles in 1954-55. Current Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman led the Pens to the second of those titles.
Penalty killing has been a major strength for the Red Wings in the postseason. The Wings killed off all four Washington power plays in Game 1 and have allowed only one power-play goal in their last 34 shorthanded situations.
The Capitals also dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Buffalo Sabres before rallying to win four of the last five games.
One thing that the Caps have not been accustomed to this postseason is losing on the road. Washington is 7-2 away from MCI Center.
Sergei Fedorov leads the Wings with nine goals, and captain Steve Yzerman is tops with 17 assists and 21 points. Brendan Shanahan hasn't recorded a point in nine games dating back to Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against St. Louis.
Adam Oates leads a balanced scoring attack for the Caps with 14 points. Sergei Gonchar and Richard Zednik lead the club with seven goals apiece.
The series shifts to Washington for Game 3 on Saturday night.
