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Holmstrom isn't changing

From Friday's practice... And, personally, it's nice to be back off the disabled list... Tomas Holmstrom doesn't plan on changing his game heading into Saturday's Game 5 against Dallas, but there is one item on his agenda. "I have to lose to some weight," said Holmstrom, joking about the supposed reason for his goalie interference call - allegedly Holmstrom's rear end was the reason for interference on Stars goalie Marty Turco - in Game 4 that touched off the major controversy in the series. The disallowed goal, on a questionable call, was key as the Wings would eventually lose 3-1. The Wings lead this series 3-1 over the Stars and can eliminate Dallas with a victory Saturday afternoon. Holmstrom doesn't plan on changing his playing style. He'll be around Turco, and make Turco's life miserable. "I have to go to the net and do my job around the net," said Holmstrom, generally regarded as one of the best net-front players in the league. "It's not going to anything. We have to play the same way, get traffic in front of the net. "I did the right thing (in Game 4). I was outside the crease. It was the wrong call." The Wings will be without Johan Franzen (concussion-like symptoms) in Game 5. He'll miss his third consecutive game. Valtteri Filppula didn't participate in Friday's practice but is expected to play. Filppula has had lingering leg injuries late in the regular season and throughout the playoffs.

I didn't order this

Some Red Wings fan took the trouble to buy an octopus and smuggle it into American Airlines Arena, only to hand it off to a random Dallas fan after Detroit's loss on Wednesday night. Krystal Nelson was not pleased to suddenly find herself with this gift and didn't quite know what to do with it.

Category: Red Wings-Stars, Round 3

FINAL: Stars win, 3-1; Wings lead series, 3-1

You have to give the Stars credit for fighting as hard as they did to stay alive in this series. I know I can't help thinking how things might have been different had that goal counted when Pavel Datsyuk put it in the net on the team's first power play. They might have been able to take the wind out of the Stars' sails then, but it was waved off and Dallas was able to score first.

Maybe if the Wings had scored again right after Henrik Zetterberg had tied the game at 1, it could have been different.

Things had better be different Saturday at the Joe.

Category: Red Wings-Stars, Round 3

Doing everything they can

The Wings are trying everything they can, pulling the goaltender, calling a timeout, double-shifting Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, but they haven't been able to score, even with the power play. Even if they do score, they need another one after that and they have just over a minute to go.

Category: Red Wings-Stars, Round 3

Ballgame, 3-1 Stars

I know there's a little time left but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards for the Wings tonight. Brenden Morrow doing what he does best, scoring at a critical time for his team.

Better luck Saturday at the Joe.

Category: Red Wings-Stars, Round 3

That was close, on both ends

The Wings had a good chance with Kirk Maltby's shot but the Stars came back with a nice chance of their own.

You just have to hope that the Stars start to just play defense and try to preserve the one-goal lead. Then the Wings can try to be aggressive and even it up.

Category: Red Wings-Stars, Round 3

That blows: 2-1 Stars

You can only put a team like the Stars on the power play so many times. Dan Cleary's stick was broken so Westland's own Mike Modano scores on the one-timer.

Category: Red Wings-Stars, Round 3

Loui giveth and taketh away

Dallas goal-scorer Loui Eriksson is now in the box for interfering with Darren McCarty. It would be just ducky for the Wings to score here and further demoralize Marty Turco and the Stars.

Category: Red Wings-Stars, Round 3

They were listening! 1-1

It is now a tie game thanks to Henrik Zetterberg's seeing eye shot from the left circle, beating Dallas goalie Marty Turco on the far side. Pavel Datsyuk with the pass, of course.

That was exactly what the Wings needed to do to immediately take the momentum away from the Stars, who were feeling good about themselves during the intermission.

Category: Red Wings-Stars, Round 3

That was very bad

The last thing you ever want to do is give up a goal at the end of the period like that. But Chris Osgood had no chance on that one as no one had tried to get Loui Eriksson from in front of the net.

So the Stars got their lucky one there. It would behoove the Wings to tie it up at the very start of the third.