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Unlikely hero for Wings in Cup finals opener


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Lidstrom ripped a drive from Fleury’s left as Holmstrom cut across the top of the crease and smacked the goalie’s feet with his stick with 4:40 left in the first. The puck sailed into the net, drawing a huge roar from the crowd that didn’t see referee Dan O’Halloran emphatically waving off the first goal of the highly anticipated series.

Babcock demanded an explanation at the bench during the ensuing commercial break and then cursed at O’Halloran once he heard it. The call was reminiscent of one against Holmstrom in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals that also cost the Red Wings a goal in a loss to Dallas.

“That’s the rule, you can’t put your stick in the crease now?” Babcock said. “Did they change that when I wasn’t watching? Did he touch his pads in any way or interfere with him in any way?

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“They’ve got to decide. I just coach the game. I don’t get to referee it.”

Osgood, who backstopped Detroit’s Stanley Cup run in 1998, is 11-2 since taking over from Dominik Hasek in the first round and has allowed 20 goals in 14 games.

Notes: Pittsburgh has been shut out in two of its playoff losses. ... The Penguins haven’t won in Detroit since Dec. 10, 2000. ... Lidstrom went off for holding in the first period and interference in the third, giving him 14 penalty minutes in these playoffs and 64 overall in 209 career postseason games.

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