No one would say it in the locker room following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, but the absence of Johan Franzen is starting to loom large for the Detroit Red Wings.
Detroit won its first two contests without the “Mule,” who has been sidelined with concussion-like symptoms, to extend its playoff winning streak to a franchise-record nine games.
But not having Franzen, the playoffs’ top goal scorer, finally may be taking a toll.
After opening a commanding three-games-to-none lead in the Western Conference finals, the Red Wings have dropped two straight straight as the Stars have proven difficult to put away.
Detroit has managed only one goal in each of the last two games, and Franzen’s absence could be a big reason why.
It’s not that the Red Wings haven’t had opportunities. They peppered Stars netminder Marty Turco with 39 shots on Saturday, but couldn’t finish.
“We had our quality chances,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “We missed the net - we missed the net 19 times. We had ample opportunity, weren’t able to get it done.”
